Life as a 21st Century Teenager

Bill O'Reilly: Another Rush Limbaugh

2009-07-09T07:56:00.001-07:00

Alright, so I was reading this article on MSN:

MSN Article

And once again, Bill never ceases to make himself look like either a prick or a raging moron. In a way he reminds of Rush Limbaugh. He thinks he knows so much, but all that ever comes out of his mouth are idiocrity statements.

I'm not a die-hard fan of Michael Jackson, but I am a fan, and whether I was or not, that right there shows how much of a racist pig Bill is, as well as a flaming idiot.

Just because someone bleaches their skin or has kids with donated "white male" sperm does not make them any less black or less of a black icon. Hello, what the hell color was he when he was changing with world by being on MTV? Black. What color was he when he started becoming a world-known entertainer with his album Thriller? Black. So, he was a black icon. You can't tell me MJ was white in the early 80's, because he wasn't. Go back in and watch Thriller, or hell, look at the CD cover Bill.

Point is, just because he had personal demons, and in his later years, bleached his skin, does not mean that he was any less black or a black icon.

As Hill said in that article, there is no "blackness meter," and once again O'Reilly never ceases to make me laugh at is moot and crude statements. Seems like Bill might have a race issue.

And as far as being selfish, don't even get me started. If Bill had that kind of money, there is no way in hell he wouldn't spend a lot on himself. And hello, MJ went into the Guiness Book of World Records for most charities donated to/supported by a pop artist. So, once again, the facts prove that Bill is still the same moron he was before; using his own personal vendettas and moot remarks to try and make a point, when in the end all he does is make himself look ridiculous on national television.

See the resemblance of Rush in Bill? Hah.

Wasted Food = Wasted Money

2009-05-15T08:25:00.000-07:00

In my house, my mom and I are sticklers on wasting food, especially opening a new box or bag of something when there is a completely fine one already open. Everytime someone does that in our house, mainly two people, I just shake my head at my mom and say, "And why did he/she have to open a whole new *item here*? There's one right here on the table already open." My mom just shakes her head.

I've noticed, when people aren't paying for something, they treat it different. When you have to pay for something yourself, you realize the value of it, because you had to work for that money that paid for it. So, you treat it with much more care and responsibility. It's ridiculous, and it is a very evident philosophy in our house.

The thing is, if you have a perfectly fine bag, container, box, or whatever of something that is already open, the only thing you're doing in opening a new one is wasting money. Why? Because, you're opening something you don't need to, and that means you are already ruining it's shelf life, because sealed containers start to accerlerate in expiration when you open it. So, all you're doing is wasting money, seeing as you're going to open that one, and you're either wasting money in the fact that you'll use the newly opened item and leave the other to rot, or visa versa. In either case, wasted food = wasted money.

In these troubled times, it's time to start thinking and stop being the affluent country we are. We are a huge throw away country, and it's ridiculous.

A few tips to not waste food, in turn, not wasting money:

Don't fill up your plate when you get food. Fill it up with a small portion. You want to be able to really finish your food. Don't let your eyes get bigger than your stomach. If you usually eat a full plate and get full, fill the plate up, but if you are usually full after half a plate, don't fill the entire plate up. Eat what you know you'll eat, not what you think you can eat. Hunger is deceiving.
Before you ever open a new container of something in your household, make sure that you check everywhere, I mean everywhere (even the back of the fridge where things are sometimes left to rot), to make sure that there is not one of the same container already open, because the minute you open that new one, it stars expiring faster.
When you go shopping, buy based on the necessities of what your household consumes. Costco is great for food in bulk at good prices, but don't buy too much, because it will expire, and then, if it's not eaten, it's wasted money. Buy what you know your household will consume. If you guys consume about $200-$300 in groceries a month as a household of like 5 or so, don't buy $400-$500 on groceries, because that is wasted money. Plus, buying less, you also control how much food is in the house to eat (in turn, you don't have to worry, especially if you have kids, about overeating).

Parenting: Not for Children

2009-05-13T10:40:00.000-07:00

How many people do you know, that are under 18, that already have a child or multiple children? I bet you most of you will answer at least one. So, why is it the past few years it seems to be the new "fad" or "trend" to have a child by the time you're 16 or 17, if not earlier? I don't know, but it's killing our society.

Parenting is a duty and a responsibility, and that's not for children. Kids who have kids isn't right, because one, they aren't ready, and two, it will literally "ruin" the rest of their lives. I know, some parents think it's just adorable that their children have kids at 16 or 17, because they'll have a grandchild and be able to do all these things with them. What some parents fail to realize though is how badly that is affecting society.

If a child had a kid, the kid is probably not going to get the education, parenting, and counseling it needs and that it would get if you were a parent in your mid-late twenties, if not older. When you have a child when you're still a child yourself, you're jeopardizing what you can do in life and what you can accomplish, but not only that, you are jeopardizing what that child can do in life, because you're not going to be able to provide everything it needs to grow up healthy.

Don't believe me? Take a look at kids who are born to parents in their late twenties, early thirties, etc. And then take a look at kids who are born to teenage parents. What's the difference? Many of the kids who are born and raised by teens tend to drop out more, get into trouble more, etc. (This is a personal observation, I don't have millions of notes and graphs on a study of this, but I'm sure you'll get the same information from doctors and psychiatrists). Why is it they get into those things more often? Because they aren't get the parenting they need.

Kids don't realize how much time, effort, and work it takes to raise a child. So, going 9-10 months for a pregnancy and having the child isn't just the magical moment when you have a kid and it will all be nice from then on. It comes with a responsibility, that the minute you conceive a child, you are taking upon yourself for the rest of your life. Your duty from then on is that child, not school, not work, etc. It's doing all of those kinds of things FOR your child. It takes money, lots of time, and more money to raise a child and raise them right.

And as more and more girls seem to get pregnant even younger and younger, it seems they think it is some sort of fad and that's it's "in" to get pregnant. But when you get pregnant, there is no more going out with friends, late nights, partying, just dropping everything and going somewhere, etc. You have a responsibility, and that's your child.

I just hate to see so many girls, as well as guys (because they have to parent as well, obviously) have children at so young and miss out on what they could really be doing with their lives, and just have children later.

Something needs to change. This is a "fad" that shouldn't be as big as it is.

Blood is Thicker Than Water

2009-04-23T20:05:00.000-07:00

Have you ever had one of those people in your life that you held up high in regards to respect? A person whom you held in the highest regard and respected them no matter what, or so you thought, until they really screwed up and you lost all respect and trust in them? Well, I'm sure you have. I know I have, and one very recently.

Have you ever had a good friend or family member whom you respected; as I stated in the paragraph before, and they were dating or seeing someone that you didn't take kindly too? I'm sure it has happened to a lot of kids, especially those with divorced parents. Now, I know, you can't choose who someone dates except for yourself no matter how hard you try. I'm just asking. Well, anyways, as of today, I lost basically all respect for someone I held in the highest regard of respect. He was always there for me, he always cared about me (even though he had his quiet way of showing it), I missed not seeing him all the time like I used to, etc. As of today that has changed. I'm not looking forward to seeing him, I don't want to talk to him, I don't want to see him, because he won't listen to me.

Now before all you readers go, "Well, who the heck is it?" and start ripping your hair out, I'm letting you know the relation and name of the person in regards to myself will not be named for personal reasons. So, I'll just leave it at "him," but you might get the idea of who it is in the process of the story.

Anyways, so yeah. I called him earlier because he wouldn't answer his phone. So, I kept calling and calling him, and apparently he accidentally answered and didn't know it. So, I heard what him and his "other" were talking about, and all I heard was, "You sure you want her calling when you're out to dinner with ME?" The her his "other" was referring to was my mom, because I was calling him on her phone since mine was basically dead.

I listened a bit longer and couldn't make out much, but that alone was enough for me. And what I could tell was he hadn't even defended my mom or said, "That wasn't nice to say," or, "Don't say that." When I never heard a defensive response, my hand clenched and I wanted to reach through the phone and slap the crap out of the woman AND him. Downright disrespect and immature considering this person's age. I mean, c'mon, grow the hell up.

So, yeah, story of my life. People come and go, they trust you and you trust them, and then it all comes crumbling down because of stupid decisions. Gotta love people in this century especially. I'm just glad I got to see some true colors before it was too late. I made my mistake, but it won't happen again, and "he" will have to work for years and years to get all of my respect and trust back.

But anyways, nah, I'm not trying to sound emo or depressed, I'm just upset with this person, considering his relation with me. Oh well, how about them stocks? Hah.

P.S. I'm going to try and start blogging some more again. I haven't in a couple weeks or so because of my schedule; it's getting busier and busier.

If you really want to know who that "him" or "he" was in this post, here's who he is:
My Dad

My Goals List

2009-04-11T23:55:00.000-07:00

This post is a little more on the personal side, but I just felt like posting about all the goals I am going to set out and accomplish (yes, I will accomplish all of them) in my long life.

- 18th birthday: Sign up for ACN
- Play college baseball (CSUN, since I'm going there)
- By the time I'm 20: Be an SVP in ACN and making my millions
- Graduate CSUN with my Bachelors in Graphics Design (Possibly go into the masters program for it)
- Live in my dream home on the beach and be driving my sleek $8 million car; Maybach Exelero.
- Start my own design company/studio.
- Be a professional photographer.
- Be a professional graphics and web designer.
- Start numerous non-profit organizations, scholarships, etc.
- Go back to college and get my degree in political science.
- Run for a political office until I make my way up the ladder to Governor, House Rep, or a Senator.
- Make a REAL difference in the world while I hold a political position (not lie and say I will and just benefit myself in everything) and stand up against anyone who opposes my ideals no matter who they are or what party they're from.

Others that I'm not sure where to put them (unsure about the order of where they'd fit in):
- Get married
- Travel the world (I want to at least go to Australia, Kenya, Greece, Italy, Germany, Ireland, China, Japan, Egypt, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Peru, Indonesia, and possibly more.)
- Have at least a net worth (assets, bank accounts, etc.) of $1 billion or more
- Publish at least one book

Yes, I know, I have a lot of ambitions, and many would call me crazy to say I'm going to do all of those things, but hey, I have my dreams, and no one is going to deter me from them. They will be accomplished. I want to leave a legacy. I want to make a difference in the world in every way I can (art, politics, literature, environment, domestic, ANYTHING), and leave the world with new ideals and a passion to continue to do what I did. I want to be remembered forever as one of the greats in the world, and I will be, because I will fight for what I believe in and complete every single one of those goals listed, even if it takes me to my last dying breath on my death bed.

Baseball

2009-04-07T11:02:00.000-07:00

Well, for those who don't already know from reading my blog or my profile on here, I'm going to attend CSU Northridge (CSUN) in the fall of this year.

Anyways, I used to play baseball all the time. I was in little league before we moved from Stevenson Ranch, CA to Porterville, CA. Then I played my sophmore year in high school. In that season of my sophmore year, I injured my elbow and eventually dropped baseball to focus on getting my falling grades back up in time for report cards.

What was wrong with my elbow was, as my physical therapist said, a severe case of tendonitis. After 2-3 months of physical therapy about once a week or so, my arm started feeling better. I then thought about playing my junior year, but school got the best of me, and I didn't have time. So, I put it off, and over summer before my senior year, I once again thought I'd play. And since I would have less core classes with not an insane amount of homework, I figured I could balance it. So, I started throwing and everything, and I realized that I could throw for about 5 minutes before my arm started burning up. I also noticed that, when I used to just pick a rock up and throw it clear across our property (almost an acre), I would try the same thing and would fall to the ground and clutch my elbow from the searing pain. I knew that wasn't good, and I needed something to be able to play baseball.

So, I went to my doctor, and she said that she'd fax over the report on what was wrong with my elbow, and what I said was happening in that visit with her. So, we got a call later in the week, or maybe it was the next week, I don't remember. What we heard wasn't exactly what I was thinking I would. What I thought would be needed is some more physical therapy and maybe some perscribed pain medication. I was dead wrong. What we were told is that I would either need very strong pain medication (although that was a no, because I have an extremely high tolerance. For instance, my mom could take one 800mg Vicodin and it would knock her out. Me, I would have to take about 4 of the same pill to do the same thing to me that it did to her. Plus, that wouldn't fix the problem.), cortisone injections (if my doctor felt they were necessary and approved them, but there were a few technicalities with those too), or surgery (which they said would not guarantee that my arm would be back full strength, but possibly could even do little to help improve my arm strength. Point blank, with surgical procedures for my elbow, there were a lot of ifs with all the technicalities of the whole thing.) So, basically it seemed that I'd be done with baseball, or if I played, I wouldn't be able to throw much, let alone far, like I did when I played (I was outfield most of the time).

Senior year came around baseball started, and my hopes of playing again in high school passed. Now, getting closer to the end of the season, we were watching a clip on the announcements on the tv in my first period class, and it made me really want to play some more. Not only that, about a week ago, I was going through all my old stuff and packing it for storage and moving for college, and I came across my old baseball jerseys and trophies.

So, after today, I decided to look into the baseball program for CSUN. I'm going to train from now until the season begins for baseball. It'll be hard, especially trying to re-strengthen my arm, but my mom is going to talk to my doctor and get a cortisone injection or two approved (which should be a bit painful. Haha, seeing as they'd be injected in my elbow.), and then it'll just be conditioning and training for me. And if I have the money at the time, I will go to the showcase training camp at CSUN, which is three days, August 29-30. After that, I hopefully will be able to go out for the baseball team and play college ball for CSUN.

I'm hoping the injection(s) helps. I honestly miss playing baseball. Baseball is my sport, it always has been ever since I started going to Dodger and Angels games when I was younger. So, wish me luck on doing all this. It might mean less blogging, because it'll take a lot of work to condition myself and get my arm back in good shape, but it's all for a good thing, because baseball is my passion.

- Christian

Fast & Furious 4

2009-04-06T21:14:00.000-07:00

For those who haven't seen it yet, go see it! A million times better than the first F&F. I'm especially glad that Vin Diesel decided to come back after turning down roles in both 2Fast 2Furious and Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (except for his small cameo appearance at the end).

I went and saw the movie on Friday night; the day it came out. And I have to say that it is definitely worth seeing. It is much more intense than the prequels, but it still maintains a good plot behind it all. Plus, you still get the gorgeous women and amazing import cars, plus, since Vin is back, you get a good mix of the good 'ol American Muscle. What more could you ask for?

I have to say, I'm not just glad that Vin is back, but the whole original cast as well. Paul Walker had another great performance once again, and I give kudos to the writers for a job well done in tying this into the end of Tokyo Drift, but making it so that the plot for this movie was before Tokyo Drift. Interesting approach to making a movie series. A bit more interesting, in my opinion, than the Star Wars, last three then first four approach that they had.

Anyways, as I said before, if you haven't seen it, go see it. It's action-packed, and all the actors have an outstanding performance. The plot is pretty interesting though.

Small Spoiler Alert:
The plot, as I said was pretty interesting, what being about drugs and with Diesel and Walker infiltrating a drug cartel for a number of reasons. I will say though that I almost cried with Vin blew up his car; the Charger. The ending was also a bit interesting, but I will say that I found it a well thought out movie and it makes sense what with the ending of Tokyo Drift, where Vin appears.

Click-Click, We're Saved!

2009-04-02T23:00:00.000-07:00

So, today, Polaroid got lucky that someone bid for them and wasn't a rival of the company with plans of shutting it down or taking it over and letting it die off. Instead, Patriarch Partners, a New-York-based equity firm bought them, bidding $59.1 million for the bankrupt companies' assets which included:

- The name
- Intellectual property
- Photography collection

The company is a very successful company, and Patriarch Partners saw the opportunity to keep a great American brand alive by purchasing it. They have big plans to gain more respect for the brand once again. They were quoted on CNN Money saying, "We intend to continue rebuilding the brand of this great American company on a worldwide scale and to re-establish Polaroid as a globally acknowledged innovator."

So, for all you Polaroid fanatics that still love the instant picture and love to cover your wall with them, don't worry, the company is still going to be around. If you have any doubts of how well off they'd be under this new company who bought them, just look at some of the other companies that Patriarch Partners have in their portfolio:

- Arizona Iced Tea (Some of the best iced tea ever: Site)
- Rand McNally (Great for driving directions, maps, etc.: Site)
- MD Helicopters (Makes a lot of the helicopters you see used for commercial purposes: Site)

That right there, after seeing it, I let out a sigh of relief, because I know that the company is in good hands. Now, personally, I prefer full on digital cameras like Canon and Olympus, but I will say, I always loved Polaroid cameras when I was growing up. I used to have one and I loved that thing to death. I always used to run around taking pictures of random things just because it was so cool to just pull it out, air it out a bit, and I'd have the picture there with me already instead of having to get all the film developed. So, I was pretty upset when I heard the company had filed for bankruptcy back in December of '08.

So, click-click, they're saved! Polaroid should be better off under Patriarch Partners.

That right there shows you that smart investing is the thing to do in this time. The companies that are not having economic troubles, or not a whole lot are the ones who have invested smartly and have planned for the future, not just for the present. That's what more companies need to start doing, instead of thinking a week in advance, think YEARS in advance, even if you think that the company will not make it that long, always plan for the long-term.

Anyways, let's just hope that the court passes the sale on April 6th, which is the hearing to make the sale of Polaroid official. So, as a photographer myself, I hope they approve the sale and keep a great American company alive, because we can't afford to lose American companies. We already have enough work going to foreign companies as well as money. It's time to start practicing a little bit of isolationism and funding ourselves with products, money, etc. so we can stop relying on everyone for EVERYTHING and not produce ANYTHING.

Stop Throwing Money at Everything!

2009-04-01T12:54:00.000-07:00

Ok, I've said it to people I've personally talked to, and I'll continue to say it.

"We cannot throw money at every situation." ~ John McCain.

What have we been doing though? The exact opposite. I know, we need to inject money into the economy to help fund things and get companies and people back on their feet, but I just looked at something on cnnmoney.com that really put things more into perspective. Here's how it was outlined. Since December of '07, the federal government has allocated $10.5 trillion in bailout money for various aspects of the economy. And as of March '09, how much of this has actually been used you ask? $2.5 trillion, that is known at least. (Who knows what was spent in actuality before the whole recovery.gov site) If you want the whole table, here's the link: http://money.cnn.com/news/specials/storysupplement/bailout_scorecard/index.html

My point is, we have allocated trillions of dollars for bailouts, yet we are still throwing more and more money at every little hurdle we encounter. Money won't solve it! It can help it for a little bit, but billions and billions more of money won't do anything but prolong the inevitable. Of course our government still thinks the dollar is indestructible. I mean, hey, let's spend billions in tax payer money, all we need to do is print more money. I mean, who cares if the dollar plumets in value in accordance with the Euro, the Pound, or any other foreign currency. Let's make people pay more for something just because the government got the "ingenious" idea that printing more increases value. Hah!

Why don't we just call it quits, print all the money we want, and become like Germany after WWI? If you don't remember how bad their hyperinflation was, here's a little info to put it into perspective.

All values are in comparison with $1 U.S. at the same time:

Jan. 1918 $1 U.S. was the equivalent of 5.21 Mark
Dec. 1923 $1 U.S. was the equivalent of about 4,200,000,000,000 Mark.

Sure, seems very far off from us ever getting that bad, but that's what we're doing to ourselves. We can't throw money at a new problem in hopes of that fixing it, leaving it alone, and just printing more and more money so that people (the naive ones who believe it) feel that they still carry valuable legal tender instead of the ever dwindling value of the dollar that is really occurring.

It's time, instead of random bailouts, the government needs to implement legislation to make sure things are regulated, or companies have to meet certain criteria for operation, etc.; every aspect of business. We don't need the government to personally regulate everything, because I'd be damned if we became Socialistic with all these ideals floating around about how things will be with our current president, but we need some sort of regulation, or legislation that says certain companies have to meet *blank* criteria to maintain business, etc. I mean, it's hard to explain, but we need something OTHER than money and NOT full government regulation. We need a balance.

But no, Congress and the rest of the federal government think it's cool and a great idea to think of ways to throw more money at our economy and make countries like China rethink more and more about buying our debt to help keep us afloat than to really fix the problem.

I've lost all respect in most of the government, especially the national government. I hope they prove me wrong and learn how to really run a country, or else we'll fall just like the great empires before us like Greece and Rome.

My Take on GM

2009-03-30T20:14:00.000-07:00

Since today's dealings with our government had a lot to do with the ever-troubled "Big Three," specifically GM and Chrysler today, I'll elaborate on my take; just of GM though.

I agree with everyone who says they need to restructure; they are in the hole because of their outrageous spending habits and lack of quality vehicles with high fuel efficiency being manufactured, among other things. I also like how Wagoner dealt with being asked to resign and left his notice of resignation from the company he had been apart of for 32 years and CEO of for about 9. Kudos to him for being mature about and realizing when his time was done and not causing anymore problems for our government than we already have.

I will say that I'm not happy with the plan of a possible "structured bankruptcy" that I heard from the Obama administration. I have yet to be able to turn on the news and see what he says himself about the plans with Chrysler and GM, but the idea of a "structured bankruptcy" being put through by the same officials that can't seem to keep any tabs on how to handle the billions of dollars already injected into the economy just since Obama was elected just scares me. Why? I'll tell you.

I will outright say that anyone who thinks that letting GM fail is a good idea ought to completely rethink that, because that is down right suicide to our economy and here's why. I agree, GM needs a whole lot of things, and they deserve to fail quite honestly, but then again they don't. GM is the biggest automaker in the U.S., and as bad quality regarding fuel efficiency as the vehicles they have produced has been the last decade or so, they can't fail. You see, the U.S. is stuck in, as Warren Buffet called in the movie I.O.U.S.A., a pseudo-trade. That means we import more than we export, hinting to an ever-growing debt. Anyways, you see, to get out of that, we need more American-made products. And how will we be able to do that with automobiles when a company as large as GM fails? We can't. With GM failing, the stocks will tumble massively; (I project more than the 600+ lost when Lehman Brothers fell) and there will be no way to control everything and keep Ford and Chrysler stable, because a lot of trust and hope in the auto industry will be lost with that big of a company failing. If that happens, there goes the U.S. auto industry and there we go to even more pseudo-trade, because there is no way the smaller companies than GM will be able to pick up all the slack, so we'll have to start using things like Toyota, Honda, etc. even more, which takes more money from the U.S. economy.

Let me sum all this mumbo jumbo up a bit so it makes more sense than all just scattered on the page.

- GM Fails
- Stocks shoot down dramatically (I predict 700+)
- Millions lose jobs (Not just manufacture workers, but sales people, dealerships, mechanics, car audio/electronics stores, etc.)
- We are forced to buy more foreign vehicles because we do not have the capacity of other automakers to pick up the slack if GM fails.
- Stockbrokers and investers lose huuuge amounts of trust in the economy and stocks shoot down more.
- The Obama administration will be forced to try and inject another stimulus package, most likely worth trillions.
- The money won't fix everything.
- We'll be seeing more foreign cars, giving more money to other countries and taking more and more from us.
- The $53 trillion will skyrocket with billions of dollars in auto sales going to foreign companies.
- More and more companies will start dropping off the face of the earth, and we'll see, in my opinion, possibly a recession that will last more than the anticipated 4, 5, years or so, but maybe a decade or more.

Solution:

Don't force a structured bankruptcy from GM, force restructuring by setting into motion executive orders if needed by for automakers, make them pay back every penny they borrowed with tax. Or heck, stop subidizing oil and subsidize alternative fuels so that we have more efficiently mandated vehicles being made that will help with restructuring. There are many solutions, but a structured bankruptcy with the fragility of how our economy is and how well our Treasury and the Federal Reserve are handling everything will not work and it will really send our economy down a hole. The solution isn't failing GM, not bankrupting it, it's forcing mandated laws on and even taking over the company for an alotted amount of time until the company is prosperous and can start paying it's debt back to the U.S. (but the government should NOT keep control after GM hits a certain level of profits, because we do not need a constant shadow of auto industry Socialism in the way of market capitalism).

Two companies that deserve to fail, but can't fail due to the massive impact they'd have on the every fragile U.S. and world economy:

AIG
GM

Stop Subsidizing

2009-03-29T21:07:00.000-07:00

I have a question, when in the world will our government (U.S. government) realize that the longer they subsidize things like wasteful water usage and oil, the worse the consequences are going to be in the long run? Let me elaborate.

Most places pay anywhere from $4-$10 or so when converted to our currency for gas. The highest it is in the area I live right now is about $2.27-$2.30. I know, I like that the prices are lower than they were about summer time last year, but the point is, oil is a quickly diminishing resource that we can't afford to keep paying low prices for forever. My personal opinion is, I say we jack prices up (remove the subsidies and tax breaks the government has in place so we pay the real price for oil and not the subsidized price) and that will help for a faster change into alternative energy. We have the technology for solar power, fuel cells, electric, etc. The problem is they are so expensive in comparison to oil, because oil is subsidized and not the alternatives. So, if we switch the breaks and incentives over to the alternative sources, we could convert from oil-addicted to using little to no oil within a couple decades at the most. We just need the big dogs in Washington to think about the long run instead of their personal money invested in oil. I'm not happy with the fact that we went from one of the leading countries in technological advancements to one of the slowest to change over. Places like Denmark already get over 20% of their energy from wind and they're the largest producer and exporter of wind turbines in the world. India plans to get up to about 20%-25% wind energy within the next couple decades and they're mainly on oil and coal right now. With everyone advancing, good 'ol U.S. has it's population increasing as well as the demand for oil, yet the supply of oil diminishes ever faster. It's time for our wake up call NOW, before we hit rock bottom and end up having to fight other countries for oil. We all know once oil gets really scarce, places like Saudi Arabia that has a lot of the world's remaining oil is going to keep it for itself, and if it does sell it, sell it high because of the high demand and very little cost, because they need oil for themselves as well. Black gold in the next couple decades would be lucky to be considered black bronze. It's time to subsidize the creating of the millions of high paying jobs that alternative energy sources can produce by the mass production of alternative sources and products, and even the installment of fueling stations for plug-in hybrids and hydrogen-powered cars so we can convert easily.

As for water, we have the technology as well! Once again, Washington as well as state governments (particularly California government), are subsidizing wasteful water uses, especially amongst farmers for irrigation. We have things like drip irrigation that are about 90%-95% effective, so instead of losing 40% or more of irrigation water to evaporation, we could use less water and lose up to 10% at the most from other things like evaporation. The problem is that things like that are costly for the lower-income farmers because, once again, politicians are subsidizing wasteful uses of water such as flood irrigation. In addition to that, the government subsidizes the growing of water-thirsty crops in arid and semiarid places. Talk about the dumbest thing ever! If you have little water, why would you even THINK of growing something that uses a lot of water? Maybe because the government pays you, and yet California wonders WHY it's in a huge drought all the time? Things like this just make me want to slap the idiot politicians who run things in this state and country. If we subsidize things like better water usage and more efficient irrigation methods, we could save hundreds of thousands of gallons, maybe millions of gallons of water a year in irrigation alone. Heck, jack prices up on water. Statistics show that every 10% increase in water leveled out to a 3%-7% decrease in water waste. Seems to me like a good idea. I mean, it sucks, we'd have to pay more, but it gets the point across that water isn't an infinite resource like we would all love to think it is. Remember these numbers, the Earth is covered with 71% water, but only 0.024% of that water is available to us in freshwater in things like lakes, streams, rivers, aquifers, etc. Think about that next time you leave the faucet on when you brush your teeth.

Our government needs to stop being so closed-minded before we get ourselves into one hell of a hole and can't get out. The country is in $53 trillion debt, which equals to over $450,000 per household. We don't need to go down anymore for subsidizing the dumbest and most wasteful things. This is the 21st Century, and we need to ride the green movement and alternative techology train or we're in for one hell of a future where the U.S. will be down at the bottom compared to strongest and biggest economies.

D.C., California, WAKE UP!

Why I'm Glad to Grow Up in This Time

2009-03-26T21:21:00.000-07:00

You can call me crazy if you wish, but I'm absolutely glad that I'm growing up in this time period. Here's why:

- Our national economy is in shambles and, despite what our government says, we will not be on our return to growth by the end of 2009.
- The state I live in, California, is over $42 billion in debt and the state economy is in shambles just like the national economy; once the Golden State and one of the most prosperous economies in the world, now we'd be lucky if we were considered the Bronze State.
- Politicians are showing their true colors; how much they try to fool the public, how much they use the government and policies for their own means, how corrupt our government really is, etc.
- Jobs are being lost faster than some people thought never possible.
- Houses are foreclosing left and right and people are defaulting on mortgages, springing tent cities up in places like Sacramento near the Capitol building.
- People are leaving the state and country in search of a job, cheaper living costs, etc.
- The environment is diminishing at an alarming rate.
- The U.S. is addicted to a fuel source that is rapidly vanishing.
- We are likely to see resource wars in our future if oil stays the main source of fuel for many countries, especially places like China, the Middle East, and the U.S.
- Foreign countries hold trillions of dollars worth of the U.S. economy and if they walked away, the U.S. would fall just like the mighty Roman Empire did.
- Bankers and stockbrokers in the U.S. are afraid and second guess any investment if anything happens.
- Retirement is disappearing faster than can be replenished.
- The U.S. government isn't monitoring the money the way it could, it's throwing money at every situation, and it's getting closer and closer to a Socialistic form of government. (Don't get me wrong, I'm not blaming one person, heavens no, but with more regulation, spreading of wealth, universal health care, etc. That is Socialism. We are a Democratic-Republic, not a Socialistic country. I'll be damned if we become Socialist, and I'll be one of the first in front of the nation's capitol condemning our government for such radical changes.)

And the list goes on.

Point blank, my generation is going through hell, as is the generation of my parents, but I'm glad I'm the kid in this. Why? Because all the above things I stated are all happening at once. So, I get to see the worst of the worst. And when I make it through it with my family and friends, I will know that I can make it through anything. I will know what to invest in, how to invest, how to spark trust in the economy, more about politics than I ever dreamed of knowing, how to choose a good politician, how to live within my means, the value of a dollar, what means the most to me, how to be two steps ahead of the rest, etc. Even though it's hell and I've known people closely related to me to go through things like job loss, foreclosure, worrying about paying bills, realizing college might not be an option, realizing that they might not get to experience life in the way they always planned on, losing retirement, etc. I know that in the end of all this, I will know what to do and what not to do. This right now is the perfect learning experience for anyone and everyone, and as hard as it can be to think of it as a learning experience instead of a life-ender, it's teaching me more in real life than school could ever think about teaching me. I couldn't ask for a better worst time to grow up and learn about everything. (I know, oxymoron.)

So, all I'm saying is, it may sound crazy, but as hectic as it is, I'm glad to grow up in the time I am now, and I think that everyone should look at it the same way and think of this as a huge learning experience, although life changing for millions.

No matter what, you will always have someone you love who cares about you and will help you. There will always be someone around to help you, even if you don't know them. The glass is never half empty, it's half full, you just have to start looking at it that way and realize that every experience that you run into right now is teaching you something, something very valuable that you need to take in and really think about and pass it on to the next generation.

Auto Mechanics: Biased Services

2009-03-26T10:48:00.000-07:00

So, I learned a very valuable lesson in the last week or so while taking my truck to mechanic after mechanic for servicing, repairs, tires, and estimates on parts. The lesson I learned was how biased a lot of mechanics are, and that it's usually towards women and kids (teens driving).

For example, I took my truck to business one (I will not mention the mechanics or businesses by name) and had them look at my truck to see what needed to be done; they came up with $1200 if we were to include putting tires on (tires were $450 alone, plus tax). So, we decided to go to business two, which was a more privately owned mechanic shop with less of a biased approach and came up with $800 for all the repairs, but they had found something extremely important that apparently this more high-end mechanic before them didn't (if they had, the estimated price would have been about $1200-$1500 I figured, based on their pricing system I've noticed over the years. And that would be the estimated price even AFTER removing the $450 plus tax for the tires; so that'd be just for repairs, not tires.). So, that got fixed and now my truck runs a lot better. Yay me.

We then went to go get tires. Keep in mind, business one said $450 plus tax. I called business three (2nd tire business), and the estimate for the cheapest tires, with balancing and everything, the mechanic quoted $277.53. So, I headed over there the next day after school. When I got there, I spoke with another one of the mechanics there and told him what I needed, his quote was $385 plus tax. I told him, "Look, I called and got an estimate on this exact thing yesterday and got a quote, even with the tax added, at $277.53. I talked to *mechanic's name* yesterday and he gave me that quote."

He said, "Well, that's the price."

So, I casually said, "Well, I gotta make a phone call, give me a minute.

With that I walked outside, talked to my mom, and decided to go to business four who we knew should have good priced tires. We got a quoted estimate, and when I went there to talk to them and actually get it done, amazing, they had kept their quote and got me the tires for cheaper. The price came out to $320, including the tax AND including an extra $10 per tire for road hazard policy (that is if I get a flat while driving, they will repair it for free, and if it is deemed unrepairable, I get a new tire for free). So, let's say I would have not go that and paid the money for what I asked for at every other mechanic, that would have taken off $40 and put me at about $280, cheaper than all the other places (unless business three had kept their quote of $277).

So, after all this, talking with my mom, I realized just how biased some mechanics can be. On the phone, I got cheap quotes because I figured they got the feeling I was much older, but when I walked in to pay, all of a sudden the exact same thing cost me $100-$200 more.

Just shows some people in certain industries give a bad reputation for the industry, because that's ridiculous to be biased about something like that, which is why I am going to make sure I know quite a bit about what I need and want done on my vehicle and how much it costs everywhere so that I can't get coaxed into paying hundreds or thousands of dollars more than I have to.

Approach

2009-03-22T01:01:00.000-07:00

So, first off, I apologize to anyone who liked reading my blog posts, as life has been extremely busy and all and continues to be. So, I'm apologizing for the lack of posts since mid-February. I'm still going to be posting a lot less than I was then, but I'm going to go at this in a somewhat different approach. I will still continue my questionings and rants about subjects in my life, etc., but I will also be taking a somewhat more personal approach from now on in what I say in my posts and what I post about.

"Delete": Well, Where Do They Go?

2009-02-18T17:57:00.001-08:00

My favorite button for unwanted emails or emails I've read and am done with; the "delete" button.

Question is, where do all the deleted items go? I'm not talking about for something like Outlook where you can delete them from your computer separately if you know what to do. I'm talking about on email services such as Yahoo!, Gmail, Hotmail, etc.

I've heard things ranging from they get sent to a separate server and that's why email servers are so huge because they dedicate a lot of it to deleted emails to they just "disappear" and go to some magical place where they are no longer an email.

I've never heard a legitimate answer as to how they are deleted. I mean, I know how they are deleted, but how do they just disappear and they're gone? Now, if someone could explain that, now that'd be great.

This was a random post, but me and my girlfriend started talking about this; she brought it up. And I thought to myself, "Really now, how do things just disappear? There has to be some process behind it that 'deletes' them."

Medicine & Technology: Good or Bad?

2009-02-10T22:07:00.000-08:00

First off, sorry for not blogging much as of late. I've been swamped with school and college preparation.

Anyways, most of us have heard of how advanced technology and medicine is and how fast it becomes more and more advanced. The question is, is that a good thing or a bad thing? In a sense, it's both, here's why.

We're now able to cure and prevent things we used to never be able to with our current medicine. And as for technology, we're able to do things past generations only dreamt they could do. We have so many more possibilities and they are constantly growing as we advance both technology and medicine every day. We do however have some problems as well with the constant advancements.

As for medicine, with advancement comes reliability. We rely so much on medicines for things ranging from a cough or headache to viruses and other medicines that help regulate bodily functions. That's great, because the death rate has declined massively in the last 50 or so years. The problem is though, with that comes a bad thing too, because kids are now growing up with weaker immune systems, because no longer will playing in the dirt and getting sick just strengthen you. All it will do is make you get sick and then mommy gives you some medicine to make it go away. That doesn't let your body make the antibodies it needs to help strengthen your immune system. So, in the hopes of making us stronger, we make ourselves weaker and rely more and more for medication for even the things we don't need. So, now I pose the question if you still think medicine is good or bad, and how so. Will medicine be our greatest breakthrough or our greatest flaw?

As for technology, we once again are advancing it so fast that it becomes a problem. We are able to do things so amazingly high tech compared to past generations. The thing is, these greatest discoveries and business opportunities are what our biggest problems such as war, nuclear power, etc. come from. We get great discoveries, and other nations figure them out and use them for themselves. Sooner or later, we have problems between nations, no matter what the technology. And since the introduction of new technology all the time, we have gotten higher rates of "new" types of crimes such as identity theft, money laundering, scams, etc.

So, as great as these advancements are, could they really pose a threat to society and it's delicate structure around the world?

Whites: Why Are They Always Called Racists?

2009-02-10T21:43:00.000-08:00

I've heard for too long in my life that whites are always racist. I'm half white, but I look Mexican, so I don't usually have the problems like that, but still. It's ridiculous. I am completely for the fact that why can't whites have scholarships, a white history month, white colleges, etc. Every time whites, or "Caucasians" try to do something like that and have an all whites school, or a scholarship for whites, they get called racist and a lot of times can't do those things. Yet, we have tons of Hispanic-based scholarships and programs in the U.S., as well as African-American-based or Black-based scholarships, colleges, etc. I think it's ridiculous.

Now, this next part may offend some, but don't take it so literally, because all I'm doing is expressing my views on just some of the people I've seen and what they have said. What I'm about to say by no means is what every black person is like, so don't even think about calling me a racist pig thank you very much.

I have seen some black people and heard them say that the "whites" deserve not to have all those things like blacks have; black history month, black scholarships, etc. Now, I know that the "whites" enslaved the blacks, especially in Europe and the U.S., but that does not give you the right to try and deprive EQUAL citizens of the same rights. Honestly, if whites can't have scholarships, colleges, etc. then neither should Hispanics, Blacks, or any other race. If we can't all be equal, no one deserves those things. Some black people, at least a few of the ones I've heard or seen and talked to are the real racists, and just because whites enslaved their ancestors gives them no superior right to things whites can't have, and vice versa. So, if the whites had to become equal with the slave abolition and the abolition of things like the Jim Crowe Laws, then the blacks can't have things whites can't. That goes for every race and ethnic group. If there can't be equality among all of them without the idiots crying racist, then nobody deserves all these privileges. Some people are still closed-minded and living in the 19th century and need to grow up.

Now, as I said, that doesn't mean all blacks, or any other race act like that. That is just some I've talked to or heard talk about this subject. There are some I've talked to that agree with me as well. It all depends on who you talk to and how they were brought up. Some still think that blacks deserve more than whites to get back at them.

So much for stopping racism. I've heard problems with blacks being killed by Arian pride members, white supremacists, etc. and those are all over the news and cause a huge deal, but nooo, it's not a huge deal when a black guy kills a white man for being white. Talk about contradiction?

This society is too contradictory and thank God for people like the great Socrates back in the day for questioning everything. He's an inspiration to many like myself to question everything. I love nit-picking everything about our society and seeing how ridiculously corrupt and contradictory our society is.

Some people need to grow up and it needs to start now. It's called the 21st century for a reason! We're not in the damn 19th century anymore, keep up with the times! "Do not dwell on the past, for the past is done, but more so dwell on what may come in the future, for that is what you can change."

Mom, So-and-So is Smarter Than Me

2009-02-05T21:38:00.000-08:00

How many times have you heard a kid complain about someone being smarter than them, or them not being smarter than everyone else? As if it's some sort of competition. But hey, they're little kids, let them have fun. I think it's ridiculous though when teenagers make a huge deal about it. You can make some fuss, it's normal, that if someone was better at something and you wish you were, but here's my view...

No one is "smarter" at anything. Everyone, with a few exceptions; learning disorders, etc. have the same ability to learn everything and be "smart." It's the lack of applying themselves as to why so many kids aren't "smarter." Now, before you go all haywire and say, but some kids just don't get certain things no matter what they do. Yes, I know, I myself am one of those when it comes to certain aspects of math. It's called being "gifted."

Those are my concepts. You don't have to believe in them. Hell, you don't have to even like them, but that is what I believe. There are the ones who apply themselves no matter what and they're the ones you hear your kids complain about them being smarter than them. The others, who just seem to get something and not have to try, or are just really good at it, and not everyone else is, those are the gifted ones. I try not to believe in someone being smarter than me in something. Because no one is, as long as I apply myself and learn. There will, however, be the older people who, are not smarter, but have more "wisdom" than I. Meaning, they have lived longer so they have seen and experienced much more than I have and know more based on that knowledge. That is wisdom.

It might be hard to keep up, because I'm sort of running in circles, but these are my concepts:

1. No one is "smarter" than anyone. They merely apply themselves more, and don't give up.
2. For those who apply themselves and just don't get it, but everyone else does, the ones who get it are just "gifted" and you don't have that gift of the natural knowledge and learning ability of the concept(s) or subject(s).
3. The older you get, you don't get "smarter," you gain more "wisdom" from life experiences and you pass it on to the next generation. Wisdom is not being smart. It's exactly what it is, wisdom; the enlightenment and knowledge from past experiences.

Blogless

2009-02-04T21:11:00.000-08:00

Just to inform all those who read up on my blog, I have, as you have noticed, not been blogging for a few days. That is due to my full schedule with an entrepreneur competition, school, and doctor's appointments, among other things, that I have been doing. I will try to blog some more, but I will not blog every day like I used to, as I'm going to have to start getting more work done so I can go to college in the fall, I'm going to be studying for an AP exam in the next month or so, and I will be doing a bunch of other things that will consume my time. So, do not fret, I will blog as much as I can, when I have the free time, but I will not be posting as much.

Thanks,
Christian

Squatting!

2009-01-29T21:39:00.000-08:00

I loved this video clip. Watching Lou Dobbs right now, and I have to say, I agree with Lou. Finally an elected official has the guts to say something! That's right, if you get foreclosed on, squat! Do not just give up and leave your home. Not only are we in a recession, people are getting duped and hoodwinked regarding their homes.

So, I have to say yes, stick with squatting and do not leave until you have a fight with your attorney by your side. God bless Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur.

Now, if only more congressmen and congresswomen would be as outspoken for their constituents as her.

Teens: Not Taken Seriously?

2009-01-29T20:39:00.000-08:00

I don't know how many times in my life, when I had a good argument for something or was debating something, and I was not taken seriously, because I was "just a kid." People who do that deserve a smack in the face. I know, some kids if not all go through a phase where they think they know everything, but not a lot of adults ever take them seriously about anything. Not all adults are smarter in everything than their kids as some claim. Why? Because times are changing faster and faster, and what we learn and go through as kids now, is completely different from what people went through as kids 10, 15, 20 or more years ago. We know more about certain things, and we have experienced much different things than a lot of now adults did when they were kids. Yet, we are all subjected to the "you're just a kid, what do you know?" concept from some adults. It's time kids start saying, "I may be a kid, but I'm the next generation in leaders, workers, idealists, etc. So, it's time you start taking me seriously, because my ideas could make or break your life when you're older."

And you know what, some great people start out young in every field in life. Warren Buffet filed his first tax return at 13 for a bike. Now he's the richest man in the world. Mozart started composing music before most kids could read or even ride a bike. He's one of the greatest composers who ever lived. See my point? It's the kids who take on the new ideals, the new problems, the new concepts in life and turn them into something. We have a different way of thinking than adults do based on the time we have grown up in. Times have changed, and we know more about certain aspects than our parents do (not all, so kids, don't think you're smarter than your parents in everything and start calling them out).

Now, at the age of 17, and even at the age of 16, I finally started getting more recognition from more adults than just my parents about the things I talked about. I was finally being seen as more serious? Why? Because I'm almost an "adult," 18. That's ridiculous, because I've been complaining, preaching, and talking about all the same things since I was in jr. high, and even a freshman in high school. Yet, because I'm now a few years older, I'm supposed to be wiser and to be trusted in what I say? That's bull. I mean, I know some adults who are over 30 and act 12. So, does that mean we should treat them as kids and not take them seriously? No, because they passed that magical number of 18 and are "adults" and are serious about what they say, but if you're under that, your ideas mean almost nothing to a lot of people, especially the adults in high positions of companies.

Sometimes I wish that age was dependent more on maturity than the years you were alive. If so, I'd be in my twenties.

Financial Illiteracy: The Utter Downfall of the 21st Century

2009-01-27T20:54:00.000-08:00

Yup, you read those first two words; F-I-N-A-N-C-I-A-L I-L-L-I-T-E-R-A-C-Y. That will the the downfall of the 21st century as it has been for millions of people.

Before I start off, I will have to give credit to a few people for the topic of this post who I guess you could say somewhat inspired me to talk about it. Those people would be Mr. Dave Ramsey (a financial genius), Mr. Robert T. Kiyosaki (another financial genius), and my very own girlfriend (a financial guru in the making based off of teachings from the best of the best; the two people listed before her in this list).

So, first off, what is financial illiteracy? Well, I'll tell you in my own words based on what I know and what I've read.

It's just like regular illiteracy, that you can't read or understand something. Except this time, it's about money. No, it's not about reading money. It means that you do not understand how money works, how to make it "work for you," and you don't understand the concepts of being at financial peace (Dave Ramsey). So, financial illiteracy is the lack of knowledge in money to put it plainly.

Now, don't be sad if you don't know a whole lot about money other than you get it from working your job, you pay for things with it, and it's what makes the world go round (right?). You're not the only one suffering. Just take Dave Ramsey's story for instance. A rich man in the eyes of a lot of people, I guess you could say. He was on his way up, had everything he wanted, but in a blink of an eye, it was all gone. Even the best financial advisers in the world sometimes fail to comprehend money and it's infinite possibilities.

So, how will this two word phrase be the downfall of a century that has been hundreds of years in the making of very intelligent people and vast amounts of knowledge available worldwide? I'll tell you how. It is something that can affect everyone. Yes, every living human being on this earth can be affected by this little term called financial illiteracy. How? Simple. You spend more than you make from your job(s), you don't invest, you don't "save for a rainy day," etc. As Robert Kiyosaki put it, "The poor work for money. The rich make money work for them." If you can understand that concept and know what to do off the bat, take a second look. It's a deeper concept than you think.

So many people say they are well off financially, yet they are in huge debt. Reason why? That little thing most people have in their wallets that seems to buy happiness at times, but when the bill comes in you want to shred the things. Yup, you guessed it, your best friend, your credit card. Now, I'm not saying I won't use one when I'm older, because I will, but I'll play it safe and be smart, like my mom. I'll use my debit card for mostly anything. If I use my credit card, I will not go on some spree and spend thousands and thousands, and if I use it, I will pay off more than my minimum payment so as to pay it all off quicker, keep my credit score up, and not let the interest from the credit card company build and build till I'm in a hole paying for my card the rest of my life.

That is financial illiteracy in the works (paying for everything with a credit card). People these days needs to learn how to invest, parents need to teach their kids the right financial moves to make like opening a Roth IRA and putting something as little as $1000 a year into it for as little as 6 or 7 years and never touching it until they retire. They'd have, on average, over a few thousand dollars, and even sometimes, depending on the interest rate, and how long they let it sit, $1 million or more. Another one for parents would be to open an education IRA. I can't remember the exact numbers Dave Ramsey used, but it was a small amount a year from the time you child is born until they are 18, they'd have over $100,000 for college. Say bye-bye to financial aid, because you won't need it. It's simple things like that that will keep you out of debt, and keep your kids out of debt the minute they leave college, or the house. But financial illiteracy is so widespread that not very many people know about that.

To cut this short, as I don't want to talk about it all night, financial illiteracy is a disease, and it's spreading fast. A quick way to sum it up, as Robert Kiyosaki in some charts in his book, Rich Dad, Poor Dad, here is the cash flow chart of a "rich" man:

Income > Expense
Asset > Liability

Income -> Assets -> More Income
Expenses are low, Liabilities are low

Here is that cash flow chart of a financially illiterate person, normally (educated dad in the book):

Income=Expense
Asset <>

If you'd like to hear and learn more about financial things from the professionals, here are a couple books I highly recommend; both by very educated financial geniuses:

Financial Peace by Dave Ramsey
Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki

For teens, I recommend:

Success for Teens: Real Teens Talk About Using the Slight Edge by the Editors of the SUCCESS Foundation

(If you've never heard of that, check out the foundation at http://www.successfoundation.org/)

I've read all of those, and they are all very good books. Even if you're not a teen, you should read the SUCCESS Foundation book. Especially if you have children who are teens or are getting close to being teenagers.

I'll let you know about the current financial book I'm reading and what that one has to say and if I recommend it. I'm reading:

Gimme My Money Back: Your Guide to Beating the Financial Crisis by Ali Velshi of CNN.

Teens: Becoming Too Lazy?

2009-01-27T19:16:00.000-08:00

So, being a teen myself, I have noticed something about a lot of teens.

I'm sure you parents have said it once, and maybe even a thousand times, and it's this phrase:

"You kids these days are too lazy."

Or:

"You kids these days are getting lazier and lazier."

I've heard it a couple times, but I've changed a lot since the last time I heard it, and I try to be productive. I hate doing chores, but everyone does, it's not a teen thing. So, I'll skip that part.

I'll be honest though, as a teen, I'm noticing the same thing parents are; that kids these days get more and more lazy. Now, me, I can't afford to be lazy, nor would my parents tolerate it. I can also thank my girlfriend for always being on the go and doing things. I swear I've become less lazy since I started dating her over a year ago. Hah.

Point is, it's true, what parents say. Kids these days are getting lazier, and I bet you I can label the few things that are the biggest influence on that (you may not like the list, but this is my opinion from what I've heard and seen):

-Home life (how you're raised, how parents treat you at home, etc.)
-Games (video games, computer games, etc.)
-Internet
-Peers (kids they hang around with)

I think those are the top ones that seem to have the biggest impact in my book. I will say the biggest influences are your home life and peers though.

Kids these days are lazy, point blank. The technology we have today for our personal use is growing on us, and it's used as an excuse not to do anything. (I'll admit, I'm guilty of that from time to time, but I do try to be productive in my career field on the computer as well. Yes, that is possible.) I know kids who stay home and watch television all day with a bag of chips and some Pepsi. It's ridiculous. I may be lazy at times, but I'd shoot myself before I sat home all day like that, unless I was sick, and even then, I'd be sleeping. Even during our winter break, when I was home all day, I would purposely go to my mom's office, or go out and ask her if she wanted some food or coffee, etc. just so I could get out of the house and go do something. Too many kids are getting "cozy" at home. I think a couple things need to happen. And you don't have to listen to me, but I think if parents were more strict on education instead of being too wrapped up in their lives sometimes (even though that is important, don't get me wrong. You do have to support your family, but I'm talking about the people who neglect their kids and don't raise them right. Or the ones who don't push their kids to get an education and allow them to just get a high school diploma and say college doesn't matter) than some kids might actually go off to be more than the next person to get stuck on welfare and be at home with a kid or two, wishing they had done something. For the parent, you have to look at it as, yes, you are important and must work to provide for your family and you deserve a life too, but with birth comes a responsibility. You're responsible for helping your kids, who are the next generation, get the education, and teach them the values they need for their lives, and being lazy isn't one of them.

The other thing I think that needs to happen is more push on getting a job. I know it's hard to get a job, I've tried some places 3 or 4 times and never get a call. If that doesn't work, they can find something they like to do, as I have, and try to earn some income on that. It does two things, teaches teens the value of money instead of using mommy and daddy's shiny gold or silver credit/debit card, and teaches them not to be lazy, or they'll get fired, etc.

I hope to see a 21st century filled with kids that will make something of themselves, not fall asleep on the job, or not stay at home all day and watch television wishing they had something to do. You all have something to do. So, stop sitting on your butts and get out there and do something. I say I'm bored sometimes, but I try to find something to do, and it usually works. It's time to try and stop the complaining. Laziness is no excuse for your life, because laziness is not some incurable disease that spreads like the wind blows. It's a choice, and the wrong choice at that.

Obama

2009-01-25T00:28:00.000-08:00

I honestly cannot believe I am defending the man, because I was so against him for so long, but I guess you could say I've been mature enough to get over my dislike of him and hope for the best, because we need a great president. Our country cannot afford another Bush, or just a crappy president period. So, I wish Obama the best, even though I would have much rather seen McCain as our 44th president.

That doesn't stop everyone else though from putting him under the microscope. I understand, not everyone likes the idea of Guantanamo Bay being shut in a year, or about banning torture, because "oh, they are terrorists, who cares. We'll beat one for information and save thousands." That isn't always the case. Sometimes it's more like, "We'll beat one, get no information, and get thousands killed or beating the guy when if we had left him alone we'd be fine." I don't see torture as the right thing to do period. If they kill us, we kill them. So, if they kill people and we catch them. Just sentence them to death. I don't agree however that even though they torture us that we should torture them. That just drops us to as low as them and makes us no better. We're supposed to be better and know how to treat people. Time we start acting like it.

What I'm getting at in this blog is there are still so many people that seem to utter those words Rush Limbaugh said the other day, even without speaking a word, "I hope Obama fails." So many people are bringing up the still old and falsely proven stories from the campaign, and now even more rumors are spreading. I've heard things like he's supporting the Muslims and is going to change the Constitution to help them, among other things. It's ridiculous how ignorant people are these days and how much they believe from the media. It's called PROPAGANDA! Learn it, remember it, don't believe it! Time people stopped believing everything the little glowing box said to them about politics and did some research themselves, or even listened to more than one news station to see if it's the truth and everyone is saying it. I watch CNN, and that's it. But you know what, I don't always believe everything. If I don't, I research it and find out. If I find out they were right, they get more credibility from me. That might be why they are, "The most trusted name in news." But that's not always the case, so it's time people stopped believing every word that news anchor utters out of his/her mouth. They're getting paid to say that, they don't always care if it's the truth. They read the teleprompter, because not everyone is like Lou Dobbs and just goes off and calls Congress idiots, etc.

We need Obama to do well. So, all those that still are with what Rush Limbaugh says, screw you. You guys need to grow up and believe in Obama. I don't like him, I wish he wasn't President, but he is, and we can't do anything about it. So, it's time we put our thoughts and energy into him and let him know what we need so he can do it and do it well.

CSUN

2009-01-24T17:40:00.000-08:00

Well, it's official, I have now been accepted into California State University Northridge to major in Graphics Design. All that is left to do is keep applying for scholarships, keep my grades up, take my ELM on Feb. 14th, register and get classes, and set a move date to move in with my dad to go there and start school next Fall.

College here I come.

Recycling

2009-01-24T00:17:00.000-08:00

Today, once again in Environmental Science, we watched a movie. This one was called Trashed, and it was about trash, obviously, recycling, etc.

My teacher paused the movie, and we got on the topic of recycling, and what is available in our area for recycling. It's amazing how much no one recycles, at least around here. It's not even completely the average citizen's fault either. There just isn't any other recycling service other than cardboard, newspaper, plastic bottles (not laundry detergent ones, milk gallons, etc.), glass, and cans (only aluminum; not tin or steel, etc.). It's amazing. So, all these other things that get "recycled" usually get thrown out. I've seen it myself. You take your old milk bottles (gallon jugs) to the recycling place, and they take them and just throw them away. Yet, just like everything else, we could melt them down and make them into more or use them to produce energy.

It's amazing how much we either don't recycle as citizens, or we recycle, but all of it gets thrown away anyways because no one around the area offers the service of recycling that material. Once again, we waste too much, and it isn't sustainable.

Health Care & Credit All Over T.V.?

2009-01-22T17:57:00.000-08:00

We all watch television, no doubt about it. Have you seen what has been on t.v. the most the last month or two, at least that I've noticed? (Note: I'm speaking for the U.S. I don't know about the rest of the world; don't know what they show on t.v. everywhere else.)

The answer is credit. I, in the 2 1/2 hours I've been home today from school, can say I've seen at least 15 different commercials regarding health care and credit scores, or debt on television. So, with that being the case in light of the economy and all that good stuff, that our television programs and commercials really reflect a lot of what is happening in society.

It's amazing how as soon as the economy falls into utter chaos that there is a massive jump for advertisement of financial companies, credit companies, health care, and debt relief companies. So, this will definitely give me a different outlook on what is on television based on what is going on in the world or in the U.S. alone now.

Defiance

2009-01-19T10:00:00.000-08:00

Saw Defiance on Saturday. Let me say this, if you were not blown away by Daniel Craig's performance in the two newest 007 movies, you will be by this for one reason. It shows his true acting skills. It shows him as a leader and it isn't all action packed. It is based off of a true story.
Tuvia Bielski (Daniel Craig) led a community to live in the forests during WWII to avoid being killed by the Nazis.
This movie was not the super climactic movie you see on the wars. So, if you're looking for an intense battle movie, this isn't for you. If you are looking for a meaningful movie, yet with some action and a real life plot, then this is for you.
Daniel Craig shows his real intensity as an actor in this movie. He isn't the only one who does a great job either. Zus Bielski and Asael Bielski, played by Liev Schreiber (Zus) and Jamie Bell, both did a great job as well. Zus and Asael are Tuvia's brothers. They, along with Tuvia are the ones who play the leader roles in their camp, although Zus takes a leave for a while because he goes to help the Red Army in fighting the Germans.
This is definitely one of Daniel's greater performances, and as I said in the Valkyrie post, if you're as much of a WWII history junkie as I am, you'll love this movie. Definitely worth watching. As I said though, if you're looking for constant action, don't go watch it, because it's not like all the other war movies where there is constant fighting and battling. There is a lot of action in this movie, but it's not going to be the intense adrenaline rush you're looking for. This movie has more meaning than just the normal fighting and killing.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: MLK Day

2009-01-19T09:44:00.000-08:00

You know, sometimes, thinking of today and who it's based off of, that our country takes a lot for granted. I think so many people forget what people had to go through to get us to where we are today. Sure, we may not like a lot of things, especially as of late, that our government is doing, and sure we do have corruption and politicians like personal gain sometimes more than for their constituents, but we do have a lot more freedom than a lot of other people in other countries. One man who helped bring about that change was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Dr. King dedicated a lot of his life to fighting for the change that the blacks deserved. Him, along with others in the past like Malcom X, and the one who began it all, Rosa Parks, are a prime example of what can be done in this country if you believe.

I've read story after story of all of them, and I just think of how I'd be honored to meet one of them. Because unlike a lot of people who talk but never act, they acted for what they believed in, and a lot of people like them lost their lives or it. Dr. King was shot, Malcom X was shot, as well as many others. All because of color and the white people back then felt they were not equal. It's sad to see that so many great leaders and activists died for freedom and for what they believed in. I don't think everyone gives them the credit they deserved.

It all started with a simple refusal to get off the bus for a white person.
It then led to people like Dr. King calling from the our nation's capital, "I have a dream!"

So, remember this day as more than just a holiday where you don't have school or work. Recognize it for what it is, a day in remembrance of one of the greatest and most intelligent political and civil rights activists in our countries history.

Here's the speech:
Click Here

Senior Year

2009-01-14T18:00:00.001-08:00

Have you ever noticed how expensive your senior year in high school is or was? Or, if you know someone who is a senior, how many things they pay for in their senior year? It's outrageous, and I'm not even paying for it all, my parents are. Although, not ever getting a job in this town helps, but I've tried.

Anyways, here's the costs of a full-fledged senior year at my high school if you do everything your senior year:

Cap & Gown (As well as other misc. graduation merchandise): $45-$300 or $400
Prom: I've known people to spend anywhere from $50-$1000 (the 1 grand of course being the crazy people. Haha, or rich.)
Christmas Ball (Formal): Same as prom
Yearbook: $55-$85 depending on what time you purchase yours
Grad Night: About $100
Ring (If you didn't already get your class ring, because I know a lot of seniors who get it their senior year): $200-$600 usually
Other School Activities (Games and other events): Anywhere from $3 or $4 to over $100 if you go to tons of games and such.
Senior Ad (If you get one): $100-$300ish
Senior Pictures (for yearbook, if you get photos for yourself): Anywhere from $40-$100+
Senior Portraits (with a photographer of your choice for yourself, because people tend to get their own set where they choose where they do them): Anywhere from $50-$300 or $400

I might have missed a thing or two, but if I were to take just those things, take the highest number I estimated and added it all up, here's about how much the senior year would be:

$4085

Now that's a lot of money to spend in one year for school related things. Remember though, that is only if you spent the largest number in my estimates from each category. Sure, not everyone is going to necessarily pay all that, I know I didn't, but still.

Anyways, I realized, I didn't even put in money for things like college applications. So, yeah. I remember my freshman year having friends who were seniors who said how expensive it all was, but I never really paid any attention. Now though, geez, talk about a lot of money. It's kind of ridiculous in a sense, that if you were to do all those things as a senior to have fun your last year as a kid basically, you'd be spending more than you would all the 3 other years combined in many cases. Haha, wow.

This was a random blog post, but it was more of enlightening all those who will be seniors how expensive it is if you want to do all this (although prices vary from region to region), and to those who have graduated how expensive things have gotten these days.

Society Blind or Just Too Materialistic: The Story Of Stuff

2009-01-13T18:49:00.000-08:00

In my Environmental Science class yesterday, we watched a movie entitled The Story of Stuff (Click Here to watch the movie yourself). Was that the most liberal-sided movie I've ever seen, but boy was it accurate. I've known about what Annie Leonard was talking about for a long time, but I thought about it, and I agree with her that not very many people do, because it's hidden behind all these great products and services.

She's right. We are doing so many things to this environment to get all the lovely material things we do. No one realizes, or thinks hard enough to realize how much damage we are doing to the environment. Don't think it's much? Look at some of the statistics I posted about from our text book, located here. Now try and tell me after reading some of those you don't realize how much is being killed off to produce your clothes, your games, your toys, your cars, your houses, and more. Yes, yes, we all think we need material things. Don't get me wrong, I love material things, who doesn't, but the point is to know when enough is enough and to only buy things that are "green," I guess you could say.

Now, when I say green, I mean they are actually eco-friendly. Many companies are jumping on the bandwagon and taking this huge fad as a marketing strategy and "fibbing" about their products or services to get more customers. So, if you are going to go "green," make sure you do your research.

Point is, that little 20 minute movie says a lot, and it plainly and very bluntly and boldy I might add, states what is really going on and what we need to do. We can't keep living like this. Think about it, what country do so many countries want to be like with all the nice things and such? The U.S. Bingo! Now who wastes the most and produces the most waste, even though they make hardly any of their own stuff? The U.S. Bingo, again! So, we can't keep living the way we are.

Back on-topic to the blog post title, many people in society don't realize those two words brought up in that video; projected obsolescence and planned obsolescence. You ever wonder why so many things break after only a few uses? It's planned, don't you see? The companies make the products just good enough, as Annie says, to keep you coming back to buy again after it breaks. I that won't work they'll use planned obsolescence and use the new style fad like every company does. Example, you have the oldest phone at school or work, and all your friends have these new high-tech and sleek phones with all these bells and whistles, but yours is a couple years old since you're waiting for your contract to be up. You feel obliged to go out and get one just like them, or heck, better than theirs to be cool or in style with them. Just ask almost all teenagers and young adults about that. Many of them go through that stuff, as technology is the biggest thing that uses planned obsolescence, but nobody ever realizes that. Or, if they do, they don't say anything.

It's time society wakes up and smells the coffee. Time to stop playing the see no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil innocence card. We're all guilty of it one way or another. We need change, and we need it now, or you can say goodbye to your great great, or great great great grandchildren, because the planet will only last so long before we run out at the increasing rate we're working at right now.

Valkyrie

2009-01-10T23:31:00.000-08:00

Just saw this movie, although it is a few weeks late, I'll give a mini, personal review on the movie.

I personally thought it was Tom Cruise's best performance yet. He pulled Stauffenberg off very well. The movie wasn't as climactic (as my girlfriend said) as I had expected, but we both liked it. Me being the WWII history lover I am, I would completely recommend, if you haven't seen it in theaters, get it on DVD and watch it. Loved it. Great plot, a plus to the fact it's based on a true story, great cast, suspense is great in many parts, so keeps you wondering.

For those who want a small spoiler/synopsis:

The movie is about a group of individuals, military officials of the Hitler's Third Reich, that are planning his assassination and the taking over of the government and signing a truce before the allies take Germany and Europe is "destroyed." Col. Claus Von Stauffenberg, played by Tom Cruise, after being injured in battle, is brought into the group of military officials planning to commit high treason. The movie is based on him and a few others, attempting the assassination of Hitler and taking over. Cruise ends up becoming the leader figure in the treasonry.

Great movie, watch it in theaters before it's gone, or wait till it comes out on DVD and rent it or even buy it. If you love war movies, or just WWII as much as I do, you'll love this movie. Definitely my favorite by Cruise, and I'm not a huge fan of him, but props to him for this movie.

Illiteracy In U.S.: Too High?

2009-01-10T23:09:00.000-08:00

Once again, gotta love Lou. Watch this:

I was surprised by the high rate of illiteracy in the U.S., but not the states where the biggest percentages are. I think it's ridiculous how illiterate so many adults in the U.S. are, of all places. We have this image everyone likes to think of us as the U.S., that we're all fat, that we're all educated, we have all these great freedoms, etc. Yet we have such a high immigration that we are fighting to control that it brings down statistics, or in this case, skyrockets them. Don't get me wrong, it's not all the immigrants' faults for our illiteracy rate, it's everyone. We have lack of schools or educational facilities in so many places in the U.S. We need to do a few things, stop pulling money from education as one of the first things that we do when we're in a crisis. I mean, look at California. One of the first things Schwarzenegger did was cut over $1 billion in education and schools, and now he's talking about cutting a week. No wonder our education is so far behind most other countries. I mean, I have a cousin in the U.K. Their educational system is so much different, and they graduate at 16. It is also much more rigorous. We need to step it up. It's starting to show now, our illiteracy rate is getting higher and higher, especially in high immigrant states. Hence, California, Florida, Texas, etc. Another thing we need to do is regulate immigration, which we still are working on, but we, in my opinion, need to stop trying to accommodate so much for immigrants. We need to make sure we can teach them English, we need to make sure to teach them the basic skills needed in our country. 1 in 7 adults being illiterate is unacceptable for a country like the U.S. We could have 100% literate, but we don't.

California Government: I.O.U.?

2009-01-09T15:25:00.000-08:00

So, what do you all think? I think it's ridiculous. I mean, I understand the drastic measures needed, but I agree with the poll question Lou asked:

If the state of California is giving I.O.U. refunds, should California taxpayers be able to pay their taxes with I.O.U.s?

I understand the drastic measures needed to be taken to help one of the biggest economies in the world (California ranked #7: Click Here ), but I agree with that question, and it seems justified. If someone is financially down and can't pay the taxes, why not use an I.O.U.? You'd have to pay it eventually, just like the government is going to pay back all the refunds eventually. So, why not? And what's this about cutting school a week early? You already took over $1 billion from schools this past year, now you're going to cut more school? No wonder so many other countries, let alone states in the U.S. are much faster and more educated than California, yet at the same age. I personally think the federal government needs to step in right now, do what we need to without violating the California State Constitution, and we need to get Swartzenegger out of there. He is worse than Gray Davis, and I thought he was bad back in 2003. Boy was I wrong. I'm posting the same poll to the right, the question Lou asked on his show. I want to know what you all think.

Cell Phones & Starbucks: Bad Combination?

2009-01-08T16:44:00.000-08:00

I decided to go to Starbucks on the way home from dropping off my job application at El Pollo Loco. I need to stop going to the one I usually go to though. I always get stuck in there for one reason or another because of some idiot. This time it wasn't the employees. This is where the other part of the title to this post comes into play. There was a guy behind me in line on his cell phone talking away. So, I order, he orders, he's standing there on his phone. The guy finishes making my coffee, and the guy on the phone grabs it, takes a drink, and starts walking out. I go, "Hey, buddy, that's my coffee." He doesn't hear me, so the employee goes, "Hey, dawg, that's not yours. You just took this guy's drink." He turns around and goes, "Oh, shit, I just put my mouth on it. Sorry man." He hands the drink to the barista (employee) and he hands him his. I eventually get mine a few minutes later, without someone on a phone trying to take it.

Morale of the story: When you're doing something or you can't multi-task with common sense, do not try, especially on a phone. I'm starting to realize more and more these days why California and a few other states in the U.S. are trying to limit more and more how much people can be on their phone while driving. I'd hate to see that guy try and drive right while on the phone. Hah.

Store Employees: Do They Love Irritating People?

2009-01-07T23:07:00.000-08:00

This didn't happen to me today, but it has quite a few times. So, thought I'd vent about it.

Have you ever gone to a store when it's packed? And when you are getting ready to check out, there is like one or two registers, yet there are 4 extra cashiers or other employees who could open up a register just standing there talking to the ones at the registers or just walking around? I hate that! I've spent countless hours in lines because at least one of the four employees walking around talking were too lazy to open a register. It's like, hello, we just love standing here, don't worry. We'll all wait an hour when we could cut that in half. And you know, I am a teenager as well, but I've noticed in most places, it's the teenagers who are like that. Whether they be younger than 18, or 18 and 19. It seems they are the ones who get the laziest, or just don't think they have to help unless told. Talk about poor work ethics. Anyways, I hate that. I've complained to managers at stores about how poor their service is and I wouldn't return if it didn't get fixed. It seems to work, because I think enough people complain.

Anyways, thought I'd quickly vent about that. Now that I complained, it'll probably happen to me tomorrow. Grr.

Overweight: Results in Attitude Changes

2009-01-06T22:10:00.000-08:00

So, as I've noticed overtime from personal experience when I was younger from just daily life as a teenager especially, when someone is overweight, it seems they are ridiculed for that, whether it is really a condition they can control or not. I've seen it scar people emotionally, I've seen it ruin self-esteems, I've seen it result in physical fights, etc. Here's my take on the whole ordeal:

So, if someone is overweight, does it make them ok to make fun of, but if someone is skinny, you can't? No, it doesn't not make it ok to make fun of them. Why? Because, you don't know if it is a personal problem that they can control or if it is something wrong with their health that they could not have the money to control or they are in the midst of trying to fix. Do you know that? Most likely no, and you don't care, because it's so easy to make fun of someone when they are overweight.

I've seen the same for super skinny people, but that seems to get less ridicule than being overweight other than the person must have an eating disorder and needs to eat.

Here's what noticed though, society today is just so superficial. When someone is average, they get told they are too skinny or too fat, but when they get skinnier or fatter, they get told the same thing. So, there is no pleasing anyone these days. It's not right to ridicule someone because they are overweight. I know, ask my friends, I've made jokes, but you know what, I know the extent of what I say, and I know what is crossing the line and what isn't. Most people don't and they keep going. You can have your own personal opinions, but keep that crap to yourself if you're just going to ridicule someone over something as stupid as weight. That is just pretty low that you cannot find something to say to someone other than that they are fat. Some people know it, they're comfortable with it, just like you are with your weight. So, leave them alone. Some are insecure, they don't need your bullshit and immaturity adding to it. As I said before, and I'll say it again, I've made cracks and jokes, but I know when to stop and what is ok, and what is too far. So, don't call me hypocritical, and if you do, go look it up in the dictionary. I'm not saying you can't make cracks, but the point is too stay within what is considered ok. Saying you can't make jokes is like saying lets not make black, mexican, asian, etc. jokes period. No, I'm not saying that, I'm saying that ideally in society, if someone is overweight, they get treated differently by anyone and even everyone, no matter where they go. Don't believe me, go ask someone who is overweight if they've ever been treated differently than lets say their skinny friend. I guarantee you you'll hear a story or two about how they were, I know, I have a few stories, and I'm not even considered largely overweight. I'm a bit overweight, but not like most people consider overweight, yet I've had the ridicule, but you know what? I blow it off and laugh, because only someone insecure would have to criticize someone for being overweight. It's one thing to make a joke like Carlos Mencia did when he said "False advertisement when big girls where mid-drifts that say 'Hott'." That's different than telling someone, "Haha, that chick has rolls hanging over, gross." Or, "That guy is so fat he has boobs bigger than me." That's not a joke, that is ridicule. So, call me a hypocrite for posting this, call me an ass, call me insecure because of my weight. You know what, you'll be wrong, and it'll just prove my entire point of this post. And that is that society is so superficial and has its eye on one special image of someone that anything else is wrong. That is why I sometimes laugh and sometimes want to rip my hair out at some of the people I meet. It's sad, funny, and infuriating at the same time, but guess that's just the life of a 21s century teenager.

So, ask yourself, why is an attitude change resulted from somone being overweight? Is it right? Have you ever done it (And don't be in denial, almost everyone has. Really think about what I said, the difference between ridicule and a simple joke that isn't too far)?

Money Matters

2009-01-06T21:39:00.000-08:00

Now, this post is going to be a little different from most of my previous ones, so you know, but here we go.

This post is going to deal with reviewing a couple of books, both recommended to me. They are Financial Peace by Dave Ramsey and Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki. Both are great books, I will not lie. That is not so much a personal opinion as much as it is the truth. Both speak the truth. So many reason why people aren't financially successful or in harmony with their finances as they want to be, and most are listed in both books, both from different perspectives.

Financial Peace, for those who want to know is coming from the perspective of a guy who had everything, so to speak, Dave Ramsey, at the young age of 26. As he says, he had a $4 million real estate portfolio. By the time he turned 30, he had nothing. He talks about what he's learned and what he now does for a living, teaching people how to not have happen what happened to him.

Rich Dad, Poor Dad comes from a little different perspective. It comes from the perspective of Robert Kiyosaki, but not so much about his own life, as it is about how he learned to be successful, and that was through his "rich dad," who, I will let you know through a little spoiler, was an average man and had dropped out of school after 8th grade. His poor dad was the one with all the degrees, a Standford grad, etc. He explains how his rich dad taught him how to be financially smart, which was what his poor dad lacked; illustrating that just because you have a P.H.D. does not mean you will be financially successful.

I will tell you, from a 17 year-old's point of view, these books are true genious and are really detailed in explaining finances. And with the economy in the shape that it's in, this could be a survival guide for families all over the nation, or even the world. As a kid who has grown up with a very intelligent set of parents, as well as living part of it with my mom, who is that and very strong-willed and very smart in the fields of law and finance, I say these books both are very great in the fact that they tell you the truth, no strings attached, and will definitely help you if you can read them and understand all they are trying to say.

Scholarships

2009-01-05T01:04:00.000-08:00

This post will be kept short, because I'm exhausted.

I'm going through the scholarships that apply to me based on the information I filled out on Scholarships.com. Only problem is, so many of them require transcripts and a bunch of other crap needed with my last semester's grades, etc. So, the transcripts including last semester. Problem is, with my school, they don't put in grades for all that jazz until after we get back, which is after the 12th of this month. Also, a few of them require a few other things from teachers, etc. It's ridiculous. Some of these scholarships need better timing, especially with grades and transcripts, and SAT/ACT scores. It takes time to get those in, and then to send them to them as well? Ugh, I hate these stupid scholarships. I wish you just wrote an essay for each one, and submitted it online. Those ones are so much easier. So, there goes a chance for a $60,000, 4-year scholarship, because the Elk Lodge requires 7th semester transcripts, SAT/ACT scores, letters from teachers, a counselor report (whatever that is), and a bunch of other things. I hope I get some good money from the FAFSA. Man 'o man.

Divorce: Hate It or Love It?

2009-01-04T23:41:00.000-08:00

Ahh, gotta love the life in the divorced world. My parents have been divorced for about 4 years, I think. Might be a little more or less, I don't keep track that much. Point is, they're divorced and have been for at least 2 or 3 years. Hasn't been the same, no doubt about that. First, my mom dated someone from the U.K. Now he was a blast, we went to Jamaica when he came out to California to meet us all. Some of the most fun I've ever had. The next guy, the one whom my mom is now engaged to is another story. He's alright, I guess, but I've never clashed so much with anyone in my life. I'll leave it at that.

So, I live with my mom, I've put up with it all, and it's alright, I suppose. My sister and myself go to my dad's in Los Angeles every so many weeks and on vacations from school and some holidays. Now, lately, he's been dating some "thing." Yes, it's a woman, but still. I've met her twice, I don't like her. First time was alright, she was a bit weird in my book, but it was alright. I know I can't completely make my dad date who I want him to, because I know it won't work. But c'mon.

Ok, so this lady came over on New Years Eve. I thought it was going to just be my sister, my dad, my aunt and cousin (who were out from the U.K. I might add), my uncle, and myself. Well, I was wrong. My dad and sister went to pick her up. Ok, I guess I'll live. Kind of killed my evening, but I was alright. When she gets there, everything changes. My dad had already mentioned that she said she had a friend who had a job waiting for me when I moved down to live with my dad to go to college. Now, ok, she's met me ONCE, and she already had a job waiting for me. A little weird. I'm glad I'd have a job, but still, a little much for meeting me once, you think? That's not the best part, then I'm supposed to take the ELM test for CSU Northridge in February, and she offered for me to stay with her if it's closer and makes it easier. Umm, HELL NO. I'm sorry, but you meet the guy who your dating's son ONCE, and he's only told you so much about his son, and you're offering for his son to stay with you? That's just too friggin' rich. I smiled and said ok, but I have no intention of taking her up on that offer. She's trying to hard with things like that and gifts for my sister to get us to like her. I can tell, she's probably genuinely a good person, but I can't be bought or bribed to like you. I don't like her. She could be the most kind person in the world, I don't like her. You don't do things like that. It's a turn off for me. She's trying too hard, and it's not working. My sister, who is 8, 8 years old! She doesn't like her that much, she feels she is just taking more time away from the limited amount her and I get with our dad every 2-3 weeks. Now think about that, an 8 year old is saying this. (My sister is pretty smart for her age, so it didn't surprise me, but it probably does a lot of people.)

Ok, lets skip back to New Years Eve. So, it's New Years, we all go to bed, and I wake up at about 6am. I hear the woman my dad's dating is still there and he's taking her home. Now what in the world? THAT is too far for me. I talked to him about it later and he just said she didn't want him driving because of all the dangers of drunk drivers, and he had drank a little, and it was late; after 1am. Hahaha, that's funny. Yeah, she said she didn't want him to drive so she could stay, even if she wasn't sleeping with him. That's too much. He can do whatever the hell he wants when we're gone, but when me and my sister are there, you DO NOT, and I repeat DO NOT have someone like that over to stay the night when we've met her once and you told us that it wasn't a serious relationship. You can cough up a million excuses, that's unacceptable and major loss in respect points on that. So, needless to say, my sister and myself were supposed to come home yesterday, well, we came home on Thursday because of that crap my dad pulled.

That's not even the half of it, and this is the reason I'm holding out on names. That "thing" made my dad wear some weird outfit (I'm leaving out the details) to hand us our presents since she hadn't seen us at Christmas. It was the weird like you keep in closed doors kind of weird. Especially since my dad is extremely conservative. So, my dad will be getting two things from me, a long talk and a very detailed and emotional email from me explaining everything. Damn, gotta love the divorced world. Why can't marriages just work out like they used to back in the day?

P.S. There's part of my vacation and away time in a nutshell. Enjoy. Hah.

What If You Died Tomorrow?

2009-01-04T23:19:00.000-08:00

This is more of a random post, due to the song I'm listening to at the moment. Anyways, I'm back and bloggin' again. It's good to be back and not out of town all the time. Hah.

So, how many of you have actually thought about the quote, "Live today as if you were to die tomorrow?" No, I don't know who originally said that, but it's a good quote that is tossed around all the time. Have you actually thought about what life would be like without you? Have you ever though of how much you mean to your friends and family? Have you ever sat down and gone over what you have done for people that makes you so special and why people would be devastated if you died? Now, I know from a positive and negative stand point about going over all this in your mind. For all those out there who have depression problems, whether it's just in your head or if it's a serious chemical imbalance, you need to know no matter how bad you think your life is and no matter how much you say no one would be sad if you died, you're wrong. Even if your parents don't seem to care, family, even some friends, there is ALWAYS someone who will shed a tear, cry to the sky asking why you died, why you were taken from them. Some people fail to realize it, and I don't think it's their fault as much as it is those who don't show compassion or love to those who need it most. What I'm saying is, if you really sat down and thought, "What if I died tomorrow?" you'd maybe live life better.

I've seen too many people in daily life who live life in the fast lane. Always doing this, always doing that. Or, I've seen or heard of people who are always too busy for the simplest things in life. And then their life is taken from them, and they are on their death bed wondering why so soon. This is a random note, but it's the only thing I like about the Saw movie series. I like the reason behind the first few with Jigsaw killing people, that he does it to those who don't live their lives, always hurt others. He puts them to the test to see if they really wish to live, or are worth surviving. It's sick and cruel, but the main reason is what I like that's behind it.

So, sit down and think, what if you died tomorrow. Think about how much you mean to someone, or some people. Think of all the things you want to do, or should have done and still could. Think about it, and next time you're walking down the street, stop, take a deep breath of the air, and be glad you're still alive. Next time you see an ambulance, think about that person being taken in it. Think how they're family would feel with them gone.

What I'm getting at in all the mumbo jumbo is really sit down and think about your life. No, I'm not trying to be downer. This post is more about trying to get people to dig deeper within themselves and live a fulfilling life. Things like drugs, alcohol (I'm referring to those who do it daily; alcoholics), murder, etc. That's just wasting a precious human life that will never be replaced and a personality and human being that will never be able to reach his/her full potential. Drugs destroy a life that could do so much in this world, but they get down about something or get caught up in the wrong crowd, and they don't have that person or group of people there being their conscience telling them how much their life is worth, and how loved they are to not do that. People there to tell them that they could die tomorrow and they'd never get to say goodbye, that so many people would be heartbroken. This post is to get people to sit and think about it.

So, next time your friend is down or mixed up in something that could get them killed or taken from your life, ask them to think if they died tomorrow, what would life be like for all those around them. Ask them to really think of how loved they are even if it isn't openly expressed all the time. Ask them to tell you if they have done everything they have wanted to do in life. Make them think. Too many lives are wasted everyday because no one is there to comfort them, make them realize that their tomorrow could be full of life, not death.

Not Blogging: Here's the Reason

2008-12-25T22:03:00.000-08:00

Well, here's the reason I haven't blogged in a few days and won't be for a bit. It's the holidays, everyone knows, and I'll be out of town, then out of town again, and finally will be back on the 3rd or 4th. Then I will resume my daily blogging. Just so you know, I'm not forgetting about blogging, just busy and don't have access to a computer to blog really.

Tata for now,
Christian

America a Democracy?: That's a Laugh

2008-12-21T20:19:00.000-08:00

We are told, as American citizens, that we live in a democracy, no? It's funny how many ways a democracy can be interpreted, but the way I've been taught, my interpretation of a democracy is this:

"A democracy is not where the people have a say in what goes on in their country. A democracy is w hen the people control what goes on in their country."

That's pretty good too, I think. Go ahead and quote me on that, if no one has said those exact words yet. Heh.

Anyways, that's how I see a democracy, where we control what goes on. Our democracy now is controlled by elected officials whom we say we trust to do what's in our best interests, yet you see them doing what's best for them, worst for us, stealing, bribing, laundering money, committing other scandals, etc. A democracy in my opinion is like the Greeks. Yeah, sure you can have a king, I suppose, but when people voted yes (white pebble/rock) or no (black pebble/rock), that was it. There was no vetoing, there was no porkbarrel earmarks, and other goofy things that this ridiculous government system has turned into. We vote on things that are lined with little fine print that helps the government. Don't believe me, just look at darn near every proposition in the last year or so and read it ALL thoroughly, AND read arguments from both sides and research it. THEN tell me we're in a true democracy.

Yes, some people realize all of what I've stated, that we have less say in things than we think. I mean, honestly, shouldn't we be able to say if we go to war? I mean, it's our friends and family going to fight, and shouldn't we have a say if we think the war is necessary and not when we just invade a country with some "feeling" and come out empty handed and get stuck in the country for years, or decades to come? We are not a true democracy, I repeat, we are not a true democracy. The government sugar coats everyone and makes them think they have a say in everything, where in fact, you have little say at all. Hell, you technically don't even get a direct say in electing our leader. Now, tell me how that is democratic if you can't even DIRECTLY elect your leader. We have the damn electoral college.

You see, most people live their lives and don't think about these things. Sure, some may not be a big deal to most and that's ok, but to me it is. If we call ourselves a damn democracy, why the hell don't I get a say? Why do I, a strong opinionated and very well-informed teenager have to wait to be 18 to vote or have my say in the "adult" matters? Why do we get censored for and from so many things? Why, that if you go the Europe and watch their news, you see the REAL reasons that we say and do things and we really see why a lot of Europe hates the U.S. depending on the leader? Why do we call ourselves a democracy when we get little say except in minute matters and the rest is run by power-hungry and greedy men and women (note: there are a very small few who are good leadership figures and government office holders, don't get me wrong) who are only in to benefit themselves and their party? Who the hell cares about two parties? Why don't we just do what the Greeks did?

We have an open session, anyone of the city, town, etc. can stand up and give a speech on something they think should be done. Then people vote on it, and the vote is final. THAT is democracy, not when we elect people to vote for us, but if someone puts a bunch of crap in it to benefit certain people, they vote and then there's all these other strings attached.

Point blank, the U.S. is not the type of democracy we sometimes try to portray ourselves as and the citizens, whether they realize it or not, are losing more and more control on what they can or cannot do as well as losing more rights. It's sad, disgusting, and ridiculous. God bless America, but not the democracy we pretend to be sometimes.

P.S. I'm not being unpatriotic, so if you say that, good for you, then you have no idea what being unpatriotic is and you need a dictionary.

P.S.S. If you cannot tell, I'm very strong opinionated in political matters.

Inspirational Quotes

2008-12-19T18:08:00.000-08:00

This is a random post, I understand, but these are just some good and meaningful quotes I've found or heard in the past. I could post a million of them, but I'll just only post a few, and maybe some of them might strike you as inspirational.

"A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and gets to bed at night, and in between he does what he wants to do."
Bob Dylan

"If a man is proud of his wealth, he should not be praised until it is known how he employs it."
Socrates

"The unexamined life is not worth living."
Socrates

"Take care of all your memories. For you cannot relive them."
Bob Dylan

"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
Winston Churchill

"Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary. It fulfills the same function as pain in the human body. It calls attention to an unhealthy state of things."
Winston Churchill

"We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope."
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

"We are not makers of history. We are made by history."
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

"An eye for eye only ends up making the whole world blind."
Mohandas Gandhi

"Be the change that you want to see in the world."
Mohandas Gandhi

"For me every ruler is alien that defies public opinion."
Mohandas Gandhi

"Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony."
Mohandas Gandhi

"Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever."
Mohandas Gandhi

"My life is my message."
Mohandas Gandhi

"Do not bite at the bait of pleasure, till you know there is no hook beneath it."
Thomas Jefferson

"History, in general, only informs us of what bad government is."
Thomas Jefferson

"Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom."
Thomas Jefferson

"I think I'm a natural-born leader. I know how to bow down to authority if it's authority that I respect."
Tupac Shakur

"Reality is wrong. Dreams are for real."
Tupac Shakur

"A man who stands for nothing will fall for anything."
Malcolm X

"The future belongs to those who prepare for it today."
Malcolm X

"Human behavior flows from three main sources: desire, emotion, and knowledge."
Plato

"Knowledge is true opinion."
Plato

"Tyranny naturally arises out of democracy."
Plato

"There is nothing impossible to him who will try."
Alexander the Great

As I said, there are a lot more, but these are some of my favorites.

Maturity: More Mature Than Most Your Age?

2008-12-19T17:48:00.000-08:00

Have you ever been told you're more mature or had a better grasp on life or are more level-headed than most your age? Or heck, more than a lot of people older than you? I get told that almost all the time, especially when people read things like the stuff I've posted about on here.

Honestly, I can thank my parents for that, more my mom though. "If you believe in something, don't be afraid to express yourself." That's basically my motto. And you know what, as far as I'm concerned, it works. People who don't see a picture of me, I've had them think I'm in my 20s because of the way I talk about things. You know, that is a great feelings, knowing you're very mature for your age and know a lot about things some people never quite get the hang of, but then again, if makes you think. It makes you think, "What the hell is everyone else like if they're not like this or better? Are many people really not as people say, 'level-headed' as me?" I know that may sound a little on the conceited side, but I don't mean it like that. Honestly, I think all kids or people in general should be very mature. That's why it comes as a surprise sometimes that so many people tell me that, especially adults like the ones over the age of 30. Then that really tells you something.

Don't get me wrong, I love being labeled as mature and intelligent, especially for my young age, but I just think that so many other people could be the same if they just applied themselves. So many things in society these days make the generations more and more lazy and they care less and less about things that aren't happening right in their homes, and they don't question things, they just follow whatever is told to them, whether it's right or wrong. I think more people need to try and get involved in things, not be afraid to express themselves, etc. because if you do, you're always going to be that way. It's easier to do things like that when you're a kid than it is an adult because there are so much fewer of consequences as well as it's easier to break habits when you're younger.

Point blank, society is getting really lazy or even more careless about things, and it really stinks to be honest. I'd love people to be more mature and intelligent in anything and everything. It makes life so much more fun and interesting. A lot of people are just, as far as I know and from what I've seen, more pessimistic than optimistic. As I said in a previous blog, if you think it's impossible, it is. If you think it's possible, it is. See the glass half full, not half empty.

Toolbar

2008-12-18T16:55:00.001-08:00

Just made a toolbar. Feel free to download it and install it.

Thanks,
Christian

http://lifeasa21stcenturyteenager.ourtoolbar.com/

Starbucks: Losing its Great Customer Service?

2008-12-16T21:22:00.001-08:00

It would seem that the question asked is valid, at least at the one I went to the other day. I went in, having plans to do things afterwards and on a schedule to get 3 drinks; one for my mom's fiancee's daughter, one for my mom's fiancee, and one for myself. I got there expecting to spend maybe 15 minutes to order and wait for 3 drinks. Haha, was I wrong. I ended up spending a grand total of almost 40 minutes there. Know why? I'll elaborate.

Now, it's not so much as it was their customer service as just the teenager(s) working there at the moment I walked in. (God bless the manager who walked in later and saved the kid. I was getting pissed.) Anyways, both my mom's fiancee got something simple, he got a Venti Mocha, simple enough. Then I got the usual around these holiday times, a Venti Gingersnap (bread) Latte. Both those drinks were the ones that got done in the expected time. Next was my mom's fiancee's daughter's (I'm just going to say Kayla. Her name is Kayla, because that's too long of a damn sentence to type each time) drink. Now, Kayla was very specific, she wanted a Grande White Chocolate Frappuccino with Hazlenut and Caramel. Simple enough though you'd figure, right? Wrong.

The guy made my drink and my mom's fiancee's. I was waiting on Kayla's. He got it done, and the girl from the register walked over and asked, "Did you put Hazlenut in it?" He goes, "There was supposed to Hazlenut in it?" She goes, "Yeah, it says so on the cup." He looks at her, then at me, shrugs and says, "Sorry about that, I didn't see it."

So, he put in the right ingredients this time and stuck it on the blender. Next her proceeded to make one, two, three, four, waaaaiiit for it.....FIVE other peoples' drinks after the blender was done as I stood there by the pickup looking at him the whole time wondering "when the hell are you going to do mine, buddy?" Now, I'm usually very patient in these circumstances, but when he looked up at me and asked what else I was waiting for, I wanted to strangle him. I told him, and he continued to make other drinks. As stated earlier, God bless the manager who came in for his shift. He saw the drink on the blender, reminded the kid, and he pulled him over and talked ot him. He then came to the counter and said, "The next drink is on us. I'm terribly sorry about that," as he handed me a free drink card. If not for that, I would've walked out after letting them know how poorly their employees were being trained on customer service and eitquette.

Anyways, the whole thing went from good to bad, to worse, to worse, to good, to great. So, all in all, it was an alright experience, but I'm not going back for a while, that's for sure.

Jobless: Join the Club

2008-12-16T21:13:00.000-08:00

No, I did not lose my job if that is what some of you are thinking due to the title. This post is to express how hard it is, not just now that the economy is down the toilet, but in general for a teenager (16-19) years old to get a job, especially in a town like the one I live in.

It's ridiculous. I think, since I was 16, I've filled out a grand total of 50 or 60 job applications, some of them 3 or 4 of the same company but they had a few locations in my town. Did I ever get a call? No. Not a call, nothing. I even took the time to walk in a few days later, or a week later and let them know I was still interested if they were hiring still.

I've been trying on and off to get a job since I turned 16, and that hasn't worked. I know some people who have gotten a job in that time, applying to the same places. Now, that makes me mad, seeing so many people I know get hired at all the places I applied to, and before them. (I know I applied before them, because they told me.)

So, how does someone with a 3.3 GPA get turned down in a rinky-dink food place for someone with a 2.5? I could tell you one thing, overqualified, OR, I didn't have the job experience. But still, hellooooo, you all have to start somewhere. So, I'm trying to start, and I bet you most places say no because of my lack of experience. I don't know, it's just my guess.

But it calmed me a bit to hear from a lot of people, even 18, 19, and 20, about how hard it is for them to get a job. This town, and now this country is hard for people to make and keep jobs. It's ridiculous.

Me, I'm going off to college to attend California State University Northridge next Fall, and it'd be nice to have a job to put a bit of extra cash into my bank account so I have some sort of way to get by while financial aid and scholarships are being calculated and sent to me. Guess I'll try my luck in the Los Angeles area when I move down there next summer before college. It's ridiculous how hard, in a small town like the one I live in, how hard it is to get a job.

Jobless? Join the club.

Car Dealers: Another Nightmare

2008-12-15T17:09:00.001-08:00

First off, my truck is a 1997 Dodge Dakota. This was my "lovely," yet completely truthful experience with the local Dodge dealer.

Anyways, first off, we took in my truck to the dealer about a week and a half ago or so to have them fix it as it was having trouble starting and/or idling. It turns out it was a sensor that helped regulate the air intake, so that was fixed. A fuel tube was recalled, so the dealer replaced that for free since it was the recalled version. So, I went to the dealer Friday to pick up my truck, and the passenger side headlight is out. We picked up a new bulb, and we examined it the next morning since it was too dark to see exactly what was wrong that night, and it turns out it had got cracked. So, since it was cracked, moisture got in, and whenever the lights were turned out, the bulb blew out.

Today, after school, my mom's fiancee and I took my truck to the dealership because we were going to have them pay for it and fix it because it wasn't like that when we dropped it off. We got there, and we talked the people who I guess were the main mechanics in the service part of the dealer, and they swore up and down that they didn't do it. Then one guy tried telling me, "There's water in here, it's been building up for a while, because it's filled." I said, "No, the truck sits outside, and it's been raining all day, so OF COURSE it's filled with water if it was cracked open." He then proceeded to say, "Well, this has been happening for a while, there's mildew in there." I said, "No, mildew is greenish, that is brown, hence the dirt that was on the truck, and since it rained got washed into the headlight housing." He got up and the three of them started just saying that it must have been broken when we brought it in because they didn't go anywhere near it, which actually contradicts what they had told my mom and her fiancee. Earlier they had told them that they might have to remove the healight(s) to test the wiring. Plus, to figure out what is wrong with a vehicle, it's standard procedure to run a check up on everything that could be affiliated with it, thus wiring and electricity, which leads them to possibly have touched the light. Not saying they broke it, but it's a huge possibility. In any case, so, we went back and forth for a while and the mechanic in charge goes, "Well, all I know is I'm not paying for something I didn't break." And then I said, "Well, all I know is it wasn't broken when we brought it in. So, I'm not paying for something WE didn't break." He goes, "Well, it had to have been broken because all we did was replace *part here* (can't remember the part name)." I said, "Look, if it was broken, we wouldn't have driven it for the month before hand, and my mom drove it, her fiancee did, as did I and there was no problem until after it was left here." So, once again we went back and forth for a bit, and they walked away and my mom's fiancee went and told me to go home and he was going to talk to the manager at the dealership.

All in all, he talked to the manager and he is going to look into it. Now, we aren't saying the mechanics broke it, but it wasn't broken when we took it in. So, when they left it in the parking lot, or out in the street, or when they worked on it, it was broken, and in either case they were liable and need to pay to replace it, not us. So, now I get to wait to see how that turns out, but I'm never going there after that again, and I suggest anyone who is in the Porterville area not go to the Dodge dealer on Olive, especially for service on your vehicle. They were awful dicks and one big bitch about it all.

We tried asking them nicely, but now they're going to get inspected by their manager about it, and then if they still deny it, they will pay it, one way or another. Gotta love having a mom who works in an attorney's office.

Treehuggers on the Rise! Read the Statistics!

2008-12-14T23:46:00.000-08:00

I'm in an AP Environment Science class, and right now we are learning about forestry and biodiversity in forests, etc. Some of the statistics are alarming and make me think less and less of the human race as a whole. It's ridiculous how poorly governments have responded to degradation of forests and other natural habitats like grasslands. Honestly, as my mom said, "Those politicians should be ashamed of themselves." They should, but of course most of them aren't. They just care about more money.

Here are a few statistics from my textbook that make you think of forests in a different way than just a place that is exotic and has a lot of animals:

98% of the U.S. land is to be used as people see fit to use it, meaning 2% is protected as wilderness.
Only 4 of the 413 wilderness areas in the U.S. lower 48 states are larger than 1,500 square miles.
The land includes only 81 of the country's 233 distinct ecosystems.
Almost 150,000 miles, scattered over the U.S. could be considered designation as wilderness but isn't wilderness by law.
95% of the virgin forests in the lower 48 states of the U.S. have been logged.
98% of tallgrass prairie in the Midwest and Great Plains has disappeared.
99% of California's native grassland and 85% of its original redwood forests are gone.
In the past 8,000 years of human activities, 50% of forests have been degraded, with about 22% of that being only since the 20th century.
According to the WRI and FAO statistics, forests worldwide are degraded and cleared at an exponential rate of 0.3-0.8% a year.
Since 1990, an area of forest the size of Kansas has been lost every year in dveloping countries, which adds up to about a 6% forest loss each decade.
If this keeps up, within two decades, 40% of remaining forests will be degraded in one way or another.
Between 1970 and 2005, about 93% of Brazil's coastal rain forest, which were once the size of Europe (that's a continent!) have been cleared.

All these statistics were taken from my text book, Living The Environment: 15th Edition by G. Tyler Miller Jr. I do not take any credit for the statistics.

If all these statistics are true, we are losing forests at an alarming rate and NOW people seem to start caring. It's ridiculous. The real day that will be the end of the world will be because of ourselves. We will be our own demise. The reason we will end the world is because of how we mistreat and overuse the resources on this planet. We need to stop being so greedy and self-centered and stop this or we're leaving huuuge problems for future generations.

24 Hours Not Enough?

2008-12-14T23:27:00.000-08:00

How many of you have felt the day goes by way too fast for you to get everything you need or want to get done? That 24 hours a day is way too fast or too hard to get everything done in a day that you could if given more time? I know I do. I wish all the time that there were more hours in the day. If I were given 36 hours a day, 12 more than the 24, I could get so much more done and actually get enough sleep each night. Of course there would always be someone who said, "Man, I wish I had more time in the day to do _____ or _____," but you all get my point. If I had more time in my day, I could go to school, get home, get what I need to get done, do my homework, and STILL have time to goof off and get about 8-10 hours of sleep a night. If only that were possible. Yet another wish that will never come true.

Heh. Guess I'll just keep looking like this guy everyday because there's not enough time to do everything.

One of Those Days

2008-12-11T22:38:00.001-08:00

Ok, this is about a day late, but still. Heh.

Have you ever had one of those days where something just totally killed your day? I had one of those yesterday, and man, you want to talk about a killer day. Ok, so I have a web design class with my girlfriend, and our teacher put us in charge of a web site project we're doing for *blank* (no names will be disclosed at the client's request). Yesterday, we were preparing for our presentation of what we had so far for feedback, which was today. So, we got to school and opened Dreamweaver to look at all the pages and make some last minute adjustments, and what do you know, they were all altered and screwed up. It was just lovely. So, I spent the rest of the day trying to fix it, which I couldn't, and I asked multiple web designers I know, and they couldn't figure out the problem.

The client understood our unprecendented dilemma, but the fact that we did all that hard work and of all days it had to do that the day before the presentation. I just hated it, and it killed my day that we had everything perfect for the presentation, and it had to go and mess up. Meh.

Oh well, they were still happy with the progress after seeing it today. So, it's all good.

Don't Say Impossible

2008-12-03T22:35:00.000-08:00

I don't know how many people these days I know of who say that it is impossible for them to go to college, impossible for them to ever be "wealthy" or "well off", impossible this, impossible that. You know what I'd like to say to them? Yeah, it is impossible with that mind set. Personally, I think I'm going to be a very wealthy designer/business man when I'm older, and I tell myself I'm going to be "rich." And you know what, I am going to be all that. Not because I'm already rich, or because I'm going to milk the system, but because of my mindset. They tell you that you can do anything if you set your mind to it. Truth is you can't do ANYTHING, there are of course limitations, but you can do ANYTHING within human limitations if you set your mind to it. These days it seems more and more kids see the glass as half empty rather than half full. Pessimism is slowly taking over the once optimistic little kids who dreamed of being doctors, lawyers, firemen, corporate CEOs, astronauts, etc. Sad as it is, with the economy in the shape it is, more and more people are not going to college, unable to afford it and thinking they'd never get enough aid. You know what? I'm not going to be able to afford it all, maybe even with all the aid I can get, but you know what, I'm not giving up. I'll take out a loan, as much in debt as I'd be, but education is key. You need some sort of education to be secure, and if anything, educate yourself in money, how to handle it, manage it, etc. and then you will be well off. You don't have to be rich to be well off. Well off means no debt, and that's hard to find these days.

Point is, nothing is impossible, withing the human limitations as a whole. I'm slowly getting tired of all the people around me who say everything is impossible. Listen, it's not impossible. Maybe for you it is, because by saying it is and that you'll never make it or be able to do it, you're telling your brain to shut down and forget it. Instead, (this is a spinoff of a quote from a book I was reading called Rich Dad, Poor Dad) you should ask yourself, "How can I do it? How can I make it happen?" Those are the thoughts of those who truly want to do something.

Pessimism is the new optimism, and it's ridiculous. Too many people are not going to college and end up on things like Welfare, while the rest of us work for a living. Impossible is in your mind. It's mind over matter. If you think it's impossible, it is, if you think it's possible, it is. It's that simple of a concept, yet no one can grasp it.

*Sigh* I could rant on forever, and I realize I had a small spinoff from the initial topic, but it just irritates me at how emotionally low and pessimistic this generation is. Things need to change alright, and it's the attitudes of the kids in the following generations. And if it has to take someone like me getting older and then pushing it and preaching it, so be it.

-Christian

Relationships Aren't Video Games

2008-12-02T13:31:00.000-08:00

Yup, read the title. If you're wondering, "What the heck is that supposed to mean?" I'll explain.

Have you ever known someone or had a specific friend who broke up with his/her boyfriend/girlfriend, then they get back together a week, month, or whatever later? Then they decide to continue and say they've been dating for that whole period, like they never broke up? Yeah, so I noticed that yesterday about one of my friends, and I was talking to my girlfriend earlier, and I said, "That's ridiculous, relationships aren't like video games." She was all, "What do you mean?" I was all, "You can't save your progress so when you get a game over or hit restart, you start from where you left off. If you restart, you restart fresh, there's no such thing as saving progress for later." She laughed after I said that. It's true though. If you breakup with your girlfriend or boyfriend, and get back together, even if it's like a week later, you have to start over with a clean slate. Saying you've been dating a year when you broke up for like a week or two and got back together a month ago is all lies. Not that I care, it's just ridiculous. If you can't date consecutively like that, why breakup and get back together? Either end it or stay together. But alas, that's the life of high school. Gotta love how kids need to try and impress someone by saying they've been dating so long when they had broken up in between that time.

It's a good laugh though, and I personally liked the connection I made between video games and relationships. Hah.

-Christian

Is This Generation Harder Than Any Other?

2008-12-01T21:41:00.000-08:00

I'm sure you've all asked or have been asked the question as to whether you think this generation, meaning kids like me, is much harder to grow up in than it was when you were a kid. Honestly, from my perspective and knowledge of how things were when my grandparents, and then parent grew up, it is. There are so many more standards in schooling that kids have to go through and they have to jump through a hoop to pass. My sister, who is 8, I've noticed the standards have even jumped up from when I was her age, only 9 years ago. It's insane. There is so much pressure put on kids these days to do well, be successful, etc. Makes you wonder why so many kids freak out, don't go to college, drop out of high school, etc. these days. And to add to that wonderful stress, the economy is failing just as people like me are getting ready to go to college. Also, we'll be the fresh meat going into the job force, while the baby-boomers retire. So, there is supposed to be even more strain on us, because there are so few people who will be going into the labor force as opposed to those retiring. So, the population will have an imbalance in age structure, meaning people like me will probably be paying higher taxes for things like Social Security, and even maybe not being able to retire until later in life. At this rate, people will be dead before they reach the age they can retire at. It's ridiculous how much this generation and the next will have to go through. As my girlfriend's dad said, "My parents implemented everything for us, my generation screwed it up for you guys, and now your generation gets to fix it." How lovely.

Pathology

2008-11-25T17:06:00.000-08:00

So, the other night, my girlfriend came over, and we headed to Blockbuster and picked out a movie. Or better yet, she ended up picking it. Anyways, it looked like an interesting movie.

We definitely weren't ready for what the movie was going to be like. We got back to my house, popped in the movie, and started watching. At first it was alright, but then as it started going on, it started turning into a very sick and sadistic movie. I mean, I've seen Saw I-IV, and this was just too much. Especially with the fact that it was more sex than anything, and not just normal sex. They were very gross fetish-wise sex scenes. Plus, in one scene, they kill a guy by having him inhale Nitroglycerin and then the girl hits him, shattering his lungs. So, then they think it's a great idea to strip each other down on his floor and have sex. Then, there's another scene where it flips back and forth between two sex scenes, one was the normal, passionate one that you see in most movies, and another was with cutting of tongues and making out, acupuncture and then screwing each other, etc. And I didn't get a good look, but I think that freaky one was on a street or something as well. So, yeah, it's a weird movie. If you love the freaky and fetish type of movies about pathologists who think of themselves as "Gods" and who can kill people and deem them worthy of living their lives to the fullest or not (same basic concept of Saw), who also love killing them and ripping them apart and having sex at the same time, then by all means, watch the movie. That's just not my cup of tea.

Stories - Canceled

2008-11-25T17:02:00.001-08:00

"Ok, so sometime this coming week, I will be starting a short story sort of series where I will try to post a new one every week. It will revolve around the same character as the main character each week, and same sort of plot, but it will be a different story line each week. So, keep checking back. I'm hoping to post the first one tomorrow. If not, then it may be Monday."

I know I had said that the other day, but I have decided against it. Sorry for those who were wanting to see it, but I have taken down the first one I posted, and I have decided, that if I continue it, it will be in another blog on this account. Reason being, I don't have the time to keep up with it, even if it was once a week. I have too much going on, and when I'm not busy, I'm extremely tired. I just personally think I jumped into it too quick. I will keep it going sometime when I start finding time. Maybe I'll even do a few stories when I'm on Winter Break next month. Anyways, sorry if there was anyone who read it and was waiting for more.

-Christian

WindowsLive.com, 5 Star Service...NOT!

2008-11-24T18:10:00.000-08:00

Have you ever found it extremely irritating when something on a site isn't working, but there is no way to contact the webmaster or a support email address to send your queries? I'm in that boat at this very moment. Windows Live has some GREAT support (note the sarcasm in that)!

Ok, recently we had our computer wiped and Windows reloaded on because something was wrong with the computer. So, I go to re-download and re-install the newest MSN Messenger, and low and behold, I get an error page. So, I think it's the computer, but no, it's not. I can go to any other site on the net and download anything and everything. I cannot though, download anything, and I mean ANYTHING off the Windows Live site. So, you can imagine how annoying that is, especially when you need MSN to keep in touch with important people and get things done. So, I said to myself, "Oh, I'll just contact support and they'll fix the site or tell me what is wrong." Boy was I wrong. I couldn't find anything but a feedback page and the usual FAQ kind of crap with basic problems. I then do some Google'ing, and I find a number for support. Hah! Too bad it'd be about $300 + taxes for a single call. Yeah, no thanks. So, now I'm sitting here, needing MSN, upset with how such a "professional" site/company is turning out to be as unprofessional as a baby trying to be a stockbroker. It's ridiculous. It's one of the basic rules of having a site, you ALWAYS have some sort of support contact, and if it costs hundreds of dollars, get ready to lose customers. Maybe that's why I know so many people who use YIM. So much better support. Microsoft is getting on my last nerve with their programs. God bless Macs and thank God I'm getting one when I go to college.

Starbucks Environment

2008-11-22T17:12:00.000-08:00

So, for the first time in like a long time, I went to Starbucks for the sole reason to do work from school. A couple of friends and myself were going to meet there to get the basics down on who was going to do what for our environmental science project. I got there with my notebook and pen in hand, ordered a Venti Carmel Espresso Frappuccino. I sat there and waited for about 45 minutes before I left, but while I was there, I started writing down some things regarding our report, and the more time I spent there, the more I realize how peaceful (except for the blending and grinding of the coffee beans and such) and welcoming an environment Starbucks has. I don't know exactly what it was, but it was very inviting to do my work there, and was actually getting quite a bit done in that small amount of time I was there. It was quite easy to concentrate sitting there, coffee and cell phone on the table in front of me. All I needed then was a computer, and I was good. While I was there, I listed to everyone elses' conversations at their tables as well. Overall, I finally took in the whole Starbucks environment as I wasn't in and out with my coffee this time. Now I know why so many college students meet there or hang out there all day and do work. It's very calming and a great place to do some work. I think I'm going to be at Starbucks a lot next year in college. Hah.

-Christian

Concealed Anger

2008-11-19T21:31:00.000-08:00

Have you ever concealed your anger over a long period of time over something? I'm sure you all have, if not, you probably just blew up with anger on the spot. Is there that one co-worker or boss that you secretly hate and would love to tell them but fear that you may lose your job?

Or maybe it's a family member or a step-parent whose guts you hate. That one person you would like to say

to.

It's human, you're not going to like anyone. But you know what? It's great when you finally can't put up with it anymore and you let out your anger. Even if you lost your job, you know what? You stood up and told your boss or co-worker why they sucked and why you hated them. Or you told your family member or step-parent why you hated them. Hate is a strong word, but when it all comes down to it, we all hate someone or something in our life, once or twice, at least.

Personally, I've come across a couple people who I've hated, and when I got to let go all my anger and let loose on them, it was like the weight of the world was lifted. So, you know what, even if you can't yell out to them and say that you hate them, like at work. Do things just to mess with them. "Accidentally" spill coffee on them, (if you're their boss and in charge of them in particular) give them more work and yourself less or make them go get you something, blame everything on them if anything goes wrong, etc. It could make you feel better and you wouldn't have to risk your job. ;) If it's a family member or a step-parent you live with, you can mess with them in ways unimaginable at work. You can steal their food when they walk out of the room and tell them they never made it, you can spill things on them, etc. The usual, but I prefer letting them know. In either case, we all hate someone or something along the way in our lives. So, find a constructive way of letting it out, or go all out like me and tell them straight on, because concealed anger is the worst.

-Christian

Love is for Adults Only

2008-11-19T21:18:00.000-08:00

Have you ever been told that you cannot be in love when you're a kid, because you don't understand what love is and you won't until you get older? Was it your parents who told you this, was it your teacher, was it a friend? Well, you know what, it's wrong. I've known people who have been dating for years who are in love, deeply, and they are not even an "adult" (18 years of age or older). How do some adults justify that a "kid" cannot fall in love? Yes, it's true kids tend to be more playful and they tend to get tired of their relationship just like they do with a clothing style or brand, but it's not completely true. That group of adolescents does not speak for all young people in the world. So, do you believe love is for adults only? Is it one of those other exclusive things that only 18+ get to experience, or do you believe in the contrary, that love is for anyone? How do you justify love? How do adults know that you're not in love? Can they tell how you feel and see in your head 24/7 about your relationship? I think not. So, rise up, prove the older generation that anyone can be in love, and you don't need this so-called "maturity" of being an adult to be in love.

-Christian

The Irony in Aging

2008-11-06T21:47:00.000-08:00

Haha, I just got a good laugh. So, this girl on my friends list on Myspace. Yesterday, granted it's the DAY AFTER THE ELECTION, a historic one at that, and me and my friends are posting bulletins regarding our views and other topics from the election day whether it be propositions or the presidential race, and she has the nerve to go on and say (this is paraphrased by the way):

"Yeah the presidential candidates this year sucked. Yeah, proposition 8 is unconstitutional or what ever the fuck. Posting about it on Myspace won't make a difference. So, shut the fuck up. <3Kthanks."

So, I simply responded that she could deal with it, and all that would die down in about a week, TOPS, because it's the topic of the week as it just happened. Just like every election, people talk about it for a while, and it becomes old news. So, I told her, hey, if you don't want to read something you don't have to, delete the "annoyance." So, she did, and she sends me a message saying, "So, if I delete you I'll be deleting the annoyance." I basically said, "I really don't care, do whatever you want." But honestly, hahahaha, come on, she's 22 going on 23, and she's acting like this? Oh man, I love how some people never get past the drama days in high school. Hooray for society getting more and more immature with age instead of wiser. I hope she's proud, because I am that she became more of an immaturity than my 8 year old sister, whom has a right to be immature as she's a kid. Oh man, that was a good laugh. Thanks for the laugh, Andi.

Does Your Vote Really Count?

2008-11-05T20:17:00.000-08:00

So, have you ever asked yourself when you've voted for the president if your vote matters? Is the idea that it doesn't matter that much in a sense what is keeping you from the polls to vote? I know if I was old enough to vote that I'd be thinking about that. Of course I'd vote, but that idea sticks in your head.

We all know what the electoral college is, no? For those who don't, here is a quick synopsis of what the "ingenious" idea is:

The electoral college is a group of individuals who are supposed to me more educated and aware in the fields of politics and of both parties and their candidates who are supposed to carry the vote of the state, depending on if they went Democratic or Republican. The initial reason our founding fathers set this up is because back when the country first started, not very many people knew too much about politics, and they thought that people would just vote for whoever they knew better or heard of more. So, they came up with the electoral college to vote because they knew more about that matters and could make an educated choice.

Now, I see how great of an idea that was back then. I'm not being sarcastic in that statement either. In that time period, that was an ingenious idea, no doubt, because it ensured you had a genuine good leader, not just a popular name. Now adays though, I find it less and less of a necessity of the election process. Why should it matter? Most of us today are brought up in our family's homes and we are told about their beliefs through our lives, and especially during elections, you are exposed to both sides of views and you begin to take on your own in what you believe and think is right. Most states, as far as I know, by the time kids are out of college, they are all well-educated in the history of our nation and politics, the economics of our country, and the basics and ideals of both major parties in our nation. So, the idea of the people not knowing enough to vote is complete bogus. Everyone these days has some sort of knowledge, granted they graduated from at least high school in most cases, in politics and our nation's government. So, why do we need to electoral college? Do we not have enough sense to vote who we want for a president? What happen to a democracy? (I know, we aren't a democracy, but they like for us to believe that) We are supposed to vote for our leader. You know, a leader elected by the people, for the people. I have hatred towards the idea that I can vote, but it's not final, because some 55 "educated" people from California have to go to Washington D.C. and cast their electoral votes. It's ridiculous. How about lets cut out the crap and give the people the true right to vote. Most states have the winner takes all idea behind the electoral college, so it's almost like our votes matter, but there is still 2 or so states that don't. And even if they were all winner takes all, then why do we need the electoral college? It's just a waste of time if the popular vote decides who gets all the electoral votes in the state. How about we do it the old-fashioned way and lets say whoever can get the most votes from the people themselves wins? I say it's a good way to go. I mean, we have over 300 million people in the U.S. Why do we need a group of 538 people to speak for us? We can do it for ourselves.

I say we need someone with the balls and the tactics and ingenuity to get into office and dismantle the electoral college. You all want change, change THIS.

Can You Lay Your Life Down, So A Stranger Can Live?

2008-10-28T22:30:00.000-07:00

Well, I was listening to Never Let Go by Bryan Adams, and it got me thinking; just about how society is these days. For those who don't know the song or the words, here's the lyrics:

		http://www.mp3lyrics.org/jZ

Can you lay your life down, so a stranger can live? Can you take what you need, but take less than you give? Could you close every day, without the glory and fame? Could you hold your head high, when no one knows your name? That's how legends are made, at least that's what they say. We say goodbye, but never let go. We live, we die, cause you can't save every soul. Gotta take every chance to, show that you're the kinda man who; Will never look back, never look down, and never let go. Can you lose everything, you ever had planned? Can you sit down again, and play another hand? Could you risk everything, for the chance of being alone? Under pressure find the grace, or would you come undone? That's how legends are made, at least that's what they say. We say goodbye, but never let go. We live, we die, cause you can't save every soul. Gotta take every chance to, show that you're the kinda man who; Will never look back, never look down, and never let go. Never let go, Never let go, Never let go Gotta take every chance to, show that you're the kinda man who; Will never look back, never look down, and never let go. We say goodbye, but never let go. We live, we die, 'but you can't save every soul. Gotta take every chance to, show that you're the kinda man who; Will never look back, never look down, and never let go. Will never look back, never look down, and never let go. Never let go [ x3 ]

Songs like that get you thinking, thinking about how many people can actually follow the first verse and how self-centered our society is these days. It's all about what will benefit us, what will help us, what will make us better than another. I'm not saying I'm not a victim of this, but think hard, how many of you out there think you can actually follow these few lines:

Can you lay your life down, so a stranger can live?
Can you take what you need, but take less than you give?
Could you close every day, without the glory and fame?
Could you hold your head high, when no one knows your name?

Most people will say that they would, but in a situation, they wouldn't. Today's society seems like all it's about is a few things. How do you benefit yourself, even at the expense of others, how do you lie or cheat to get to the top, who's famous and who's not, and other things like selfish greed. Society isn't like what it used to be. I don't know from my experience, but from hearing it from older people that things may have been bad when it came to things like discrimination and civil rights, but within towns, there was usually a sense of how to benefit everyone. There's always those who wish to benefit themselves and no one else, but then there are those who will do anything for the ones they love and go out of their way to help others. Everytime I listen to this song, I think to myself, "Why can't everyone in today's society be like this?" I know the answer though, it's called money. Money gives you power and it causes greed. I'd love to be able to say that I can go everyday and see someone doing these things in this song or even do them myself, but you know what? I can't. It's sad how corrupt and money-based our society is, very sad. No one lives life like the Greeks did in their time. They lived life based on intellectualism, aesthetics, quality of life, etc.

All I can say is in my life when I'm older, I want to be just like what is mentioned in this song.

Dirty Politics

2008-10-09T22:13:00.001-07:00

Well, for all those who've seen the news, it seems both candidates are stooping to all time lows. Not just McCain and Palin, Obama and Biden as well. McCain is trying to link Obama to William Ayers, and Obama is calling McCain erratic and unfit to lead the country, and the list goes on and on. Now, most of you who know me personally, know I am a McCain supporter (even if I can't vote yet), but I will admit, this isn't the Maverick we wanted. McCain needs to stop with the accusations and bashing on Obama. That is exactly what will for sure lose him the election in the next 24 or so days left. Now, Obama isn't all innocent either, at least in my opinion. The best thing he could do would be just to denounce and say McCain's accussations are false. His campaign is just as bad with the commercials and ads, not just speeches on national television, that McCain is erratic and unfit to lead the country. All of this needs to stop, and they need to stick with the program. None of us give a crap about who is "fit" or "unfit" in the other's eyes. Ultimately, it is up to the citizens and the electoral college, mostly the electoral college to judge who is fit and will run the country. This so-called "dirty politics" is ridiculous, and both candidates are acting like children. Now, as I said, I support McCain and Palin, and I'd vote for them if I could, but you know what? They WILL lose the election if they keep up their current strategy. And if Obama keeps his end up, he may not lose support, per say, but he will lose some votes, because he's just fueling the fire going back and forth with McCain and his campaign. Honestly, I want to see some real growing up from BOTH candidates in the next few weeks, or it's going to be sheer Hell when we get our new president innaugarated, whether it be McCain or Obama. We need to hear the plans and the details, not about bashing on the other candidate. McCain, stop bashing and tell the people what is most important. Get together with some of the best economical advisers, and prove you can blow the U.S. away with a plan that will blow Obama's out of the water. Show us that Maverick you were in the Senate. And Obama, stop returning fire. If you and your campaign were smart enough, you'd just denounce the false claims and move on, not make ads calling McCain erratic, unfit to lead the country, etc.

Just felt like venting. Heh.

~Rockstarr (Christian)

9/11

2008-09-13T09:48:00.000-07:00

I should've posted something about this on the actual day, as it would seem more fitting, but I was busy, and I doubt I would've been able to make it through typing the whole thing that day. Anyways, 9/11, we all remember that day, at least those of us who were old enough to understand it all. Even the younger kids at that time, over the past few years, they know all that happened. It was by far one of the most tragic moments in American history. I for one remember it all like it was yesterday. I wasn't there, but I was at home sick. I didn't go to school, but I was up early. My mom yelled at me from downstairs and told me to get down there. I god down there and looked at the t.v. and saw clouds of smoke rising from a building. Now, being a 5th grader, I just thought, oh, a fire. No, she told me that they were the World Trade Centers in New York where thousands of people worked, and one had just been hit by a hijacked plane. I just stood there, mouth agape staring at the television. My mom later went to work, and I sat there all morning, watching, watching. I sat there and saw the second plane hit, I saw people jumping from 100 floors up, I saw people crying and running for their lives, I saw the brave firemen going into the buildings, but never came out, because later the towers collapsed. I tip my hat to people like the firemen, and even the ordinary people who went back to help those who still needed to get out. They went back in knowing they'd lose their lives, but they put others before them, and that is an honor that cannot be surpassed. They risked and lost their lives to save others, whether they were asked to or not. 9/11 was a day of tragedy, but it was a day to bring the U.S. together. We may not all remember it, but that day, people would call up their friends, family, etc. and tell them they loved them just for the sake of saying it. Some people probably even went as far as changing how they acted towards some people because you never know what could happen next. All I have to say is, I remember that day, 7 years ago, very clearly. Watching people jump from 100 floors up, wondering what was going through their heads while falling. It was a sad day that will always be remembered by millions, and not just by Americans. I tip my hat to those who lost their lives saving others, and even those who lost their lives trying to get out of there. No one should have to go through something as horrific as that, ever.

High School Drama

2008-08-25T16:16:00.000-07:00

Ok, first off, this blog has nothing to do with me or anything presently going on, because I know of no drama going on. Hah. Anyways....

So, we all know all the petty high school drama that goes on. For the most part, most of us have been involved in it one way or another. And now, before I start my rant and give my 2 cents, you may call my hypocritical if you'd like, but if you do, support it with a valid reason, because I'm not being hypocritical, I'm basing my views off of past situations and from my personal experience. Soooo, if you wish to challenge me on anything, make sure you have valid points. Thank you.

Back on topic. Most of us have been involved in drama one of few ways. (Note, these are just examples, I am more than likely missing instances in this list) It could be because you broke up with someone and it was rough breakup, you could be fighting over a girl or guy, someone could be "talking shit" about you or so you heard, and the list goes on. Now here comes the good part.

Ok, I'm not taking sides, but when it comes to drama in general, have you all realized how annoying it is? I know each and everyone of you have said to yourself that has experienced this so called petty bs that you hate high school drama or drama in general. Yet, some people say that and cause allll the drama. It's amazing how someone who says they hate drama so much can cause so damn much. I for one, hate drama, but for the longest time, no matter what I did, I got some. I will be the first to admit, I did bring SOME unto myself, but more than 85% of the time, I stood my distance and still go freckles when the shit hit the fan.

Relationships are a huge drama causer it seems in high school, and just in life in general. The guy or girl cheats on you, and you want to "kick their ass" or make their life miserable. But you know what? Your relationship probably would've ended one way or another. I don't have exact numbers, but relationships that start in high school have a high percentage in failure in the long run. One reason is studies show women, between the ages of 18 and 25, mature a great deal. They go through a lot of changes, mostly mental and emotional. Their ideals change, their drive changes gears to what they are sure they want to do, etc. So, you know what, all in all, starting stupid crap over a cheater in a relationship is uncalled for. You move on, and I'm sure you'll have another boyfriend or girlfriend in less than a year. Overall, relationships shouldn't cause drama outside of the two involved in it. Now, remember, there is a fine line that defines drama and something serious. This isn't someone with a PHD giving these definitions, but pretty much, anyone would agree with these:

1. Drama:
Something women and especially teenage girls thrive on. Consisting of any number of situations that have an easy solution, which would bring a fairly good outcome, but these girls choose another, shitty, bad way to deal with it, again consisting of backstabbing, blackmailing/gossiping/betraying their friends, or the all-too-common "I want to break up with him but I still love him!"
It drives men and what I like to call "normal" girls nuts.

2. Drama:

Making a big deal over something unnecessary.

Basically, drama is when people make a huge deal out of nothing and want people to either feel bad for them or to make their image look better and the one that they hate suffers from a bad reputation. People who thrive off of this shit are a lame excuse of a human being. Yes, everyone has drama, but those who cause it 24/7, yet complain constantly about it, need to buck up and take it. You cause it, you deal with it. So, everyone needs to either deal with the crap and figure out a way of staying away from it whether it be not hanging around certain people or what, or they need to shut up and live with it.

Back to the fine line topic. As I put earlier, drama is something uncalled for and unnecessary. Now on the other hand, a serious situation, we should all know by now. If you don't know what serious is, you need to read the dictionary or go back to 2nd grade English. So, there is a huge difference. And you should all know what that difference is before you accuse someone of starting drama all the time.

Now, another drama starter, the infamous "He/She is talking shit behind your/my back. I'm going to kick her/his ass!" Oh how I love that. It's so utterly ridiculous. You know, honestly, if someone is talking shit, good for them! They show hate by discussing you, and they look like a fool. Even if their friends agree, they will get tired of hearing it if the person keeps jabbing their jaws. So, you know what you do? Simple. You don't say a word except "Ok," or "Cool." So many people think they are soooo cool that they need to confront someone. Big whoop, you know what you just did? You stooped to their level, dropping your IQ about 50 points. Anyone can "talk shit." But it takes a real big person to just shrug it off and laugh. Often, when I hear someone talking crap or confronting someone talking crap, I make a joke out of it. It pisses them off at times, but shit, shut the hell up and have a good time. Let them talk about you 24/7 if they have that big of a fetish with you. You don't need to escalate it and cross that fine line into drama.

Anyways, I could go on forever, but I'm way too lazy to type that damn much. So, I'm stopping. This is just 1 cent of my 2 cents, but I don't care. Heh.

Thanks,
Rockstarr (Christian)

How I Am, Get Used To It...

2008-08-22T23:42:00.000-07:00

Well, I thought I'd post a quick blog about myself since I just set this up, before I start blogging some thoughts, rants, etc. Now, I'm going to be honest, in a lot of my blogs, you may not agree with what I say, but you are more than welcome to comment, just keep to intellectual comments. I disregard anything ignorant or of an IQ lower than our lovely current president's is. Anyways, I'm extremely sarcastic, but don't let that fool you, I'm not a joker or smartass 24/7. I am very intelligent for my age, or so I have been informed in the past. Although, I will let you all determine that in whatever means you wish. I have very strong views on many issues and political subjects in our 21st-century society; some liberal, some conservative depending on the issue. So, you could call me moderate, if you wish. I tend to argue a lot, but I usually do not argue unless I have a point to make or I know I'm right and I try my best to prove it to you, although that is another story, as that can take a lot to do for some people. I'm very articulate, I love to write, I've got a great interest in books with twisty plots that keep you at a cliffhanger the whole story, but I don't have too much time to read much anymore. I've got a passion for acting, sketching, graphics design, and web page design. I've acted in numerous productions, and I look forward to participating in more in my life. I plan on taking up graphics and web page design as my college major as well as take a minor in animation. I have a very open view on many things, which means, when I joke around or smart off, don't take everything I say so personally. My philosophy is, considering I've made racist jokes and even somewhat demeaning jokes as many comedians do, that if you can't say it in front of who you're making fun of or joking about, don't say it at all. I hate people who think they are cool joking about people, but won't say it in front of them. On the other hand, I also hate people that can't take a good laugh at a racial joke at their own race. Just because someone isn't black like you, Mexican like you, white like you, or whatever the hell you are, doesn't mean if they make a crack, they are racist. There is a huge difference between being racist and joking around. That kind of stuff is what pisses me off. Nobody ever has the guts to laugh anymore about anything. It's always about, "Oh, you can't say that, that's racist, it might hurt them or offend them." Well, you know what, if it offends them, then they will live. Life is not all chocolates and creams like everyone wishes, it's full of hurt, lies, and deceit. You're not gonna like every cow pie that is thrown at you in life, but you know what? You buck up, laugh about it in the end and move on, like a real human being. I'm tired of hearing people tell a joke, but only to certain people, or people get all fumed over something so minuscule. If you think something is racist, meaning a joke, why don't you call up some KKK members from the south, or even some Aryan Brotherhood members all over the world. I'm sure they'd love to show you real racism. Now watch, someone is going to get hurt and complain about that, but you know what, it's true. People take everything too damn personal these days. No one is willing to laugh at anything and everything. There are limits of course, as in everything, but everyone is too damn worried about what others think. What happened to what you think is all that matters? It may just be my opinion, but I'm no amateur to the situation of the lone wolf. I think our future generation are going to be a bunch of winy sissy-la-las. I know you need to shelter kids, and I'm not saying in any means how to raise children, so don't even think about letting that thought cross your mind. I'm going to be honest, in all aspects of society, whether it be politics, economic issues, home life, family life, everyone needs to learn to buck up and take the punches the boxer we call life throws at you in the ring and hang in there for another round to get the knockout and move on.

I'm sorry that sort of turned from introducing myself as a future blogger to one of my rants. I tend to do that a lot, flip topics really fast, but there's a small taste. Like I said before, you may not agree, but if you comment, keep it intellectual. And for those who don't know the definition of "intellectual," look it up on dictionary.com before you post. Oh, and get used to some added sarcasm in my blogs, and as stated in this one, don't take everything so personal. Be lighthearted about everything, take in the information you see, use it to your benefit, but do not use it in a malicious manner and become, as we call in high school, a "drama queen."

Thanks,
Rockstarr a.k.a. Christian