Today's warm and fuzzy thought.

A silly poem I learned over 10 years ago that I still have memorized.

I come before you,
to sit behind you,
To tell you a story,
I know nothing about.
Admission is free,
pay at the door,
Pull up a seat,
and sit on the floor.

One bright morning,
in the middle of the night,
Two dead boys,
got up to fight.
Back to back,
they faced each other,
Drew out their swords,
and shot the other.

A deaf policeman heard the noise,
and came to arrest the two dead boys.

If you don't believe my story is true,
ask the blind man he saw it all too.

Today's warm and fuzzy thought.

Scientists are now beginning to examine the impact of the massive earthquake over the weekend. See this article for an interesting report on the possible changes to the Earth that my have resulted from the quake.

Personal Mission Statement

I have never been really big on New Year's resolutions. Then a few years ago, I attended a 3 day 7 Habits of Highly Effective People seminar and I was introduced to the interesting concept of personal mission statements. The idea of having a set of mission statements to guide my life seemed to make sense. I was quite excited to write my own mission statement but every time I tried, I couldn't really focus myself to write them. Then about a month ago, I was journaling when they just suddenly came to me. I realize that the mission statements that I post here are only first drafts but I thought I would share them.

It is my goal to be the best partner to Valium that I can be by, being honest, true, trusting, loving and supportive. To show him each and every day how much I love him and how much he means to me.

It is my goal to continue to pursue my art by, being true to my desires and by not putting other work before my art. To recognize that I am a talented artist who has a gift to share.

It is my goal to work to be in better physical shape by, eating healthy, increasing my physical exercise and stretching. To recognize that the basis of all other health lies in my physical health.

It is my goal to be more financially aware by, working hard and using my money wisely. To believe that I can be responsible with my money and that I deserve to not be poor all the time.

It is my goal to grow and nurture existing friendships while beginning new ones by, being honest and supportive to my friends in their endeavors. To recognize the beauty in them and their work.

It is my goal to expand my academic skills by, giving my best in the classroom and being the best student I can be. To learn as much as I can from each class and to keep the things I learn with me.

It is my goal to become a better person through, thinking about my actions, responsibility, love, meditation, spirituality, family and friends. To become the best person I can be.

It is my goal to be a better part of my extended family by, staying in better contact, communicating better and visiting more often. To remember all birthdays and anniversaries.

These are the values and goals I hope to uphold not just in the New Year, but throughout my life. I am sure the list will change and grow over time but that is what I have for now.

Peace and Love

Today's warm and fuzzy thought.

Howard Stern has announced that he will be leaving public broadcasting, and entering the world of satellite radio. Stern has faced millions of dollars in fines in the past few years for his radio program and in the world of satellite radio, he can say whatever he wants.

I remember the first time that I heard Stern on the radio, I was driving through the Chicago area and all I could think was: "Why does Alan Alda have a radio show?" It wasn't until after a bit about making Sonny Bono's coffin out of the tree that he hit, I realized that it probably wasn't Alan Alda. From there I listened a few more times when I was in New York and I was never as offended as I thought his reputation deserved.

Then, Stern came to Denver and I began listening on a fairly regular basis on my way to work in the morning. Again, I didn't hear anything that was totally offensive. Now that is not to say that I think that his brand of humor is great. I have never been a huge fan of over the top abrasive-simply for the sake of being abrasive-humor still, I enjoyed his show. Then after a comment that he made in regards to the Columbine High School shootings, Stern was taken off the air in Denver and I can't say that I missed him all that much.

I hope that he makes a success of his 5 years on satellite radio and doesn't prove his critics right by going totally off the deep end. I think that he has an opportunity here to really express himself and actually do some good for Sirius. I wish him the best of luck and maybe I'll even catch his show.

Today's warm and fuzzy thought.

California court told gays should not be able to marry because we: "can't perform the basic functions of marriage, therefore it's not discrimination."

It is my long held contention that the religious right has no real interest in protecting marriage. Their claim that gays should not be allowed to marry because we do not have the ability to procreate, is just silly. I would like to make the following suggestions for changes in our public policy to really protect marriage:

(If you want a detailed piece on this subject see my In Defense of Marriage Post, but for the purposes of this short response)

1. Since the main purpose of marriage is for procreation, make it law. No couple who is not capable or willing to have children is allowed to be issued a marriage licence. (Regardless of gender) And, if a married couple fails to produce a child within the first year of thier marriage, thier liscence is revoked.

2. Eliminate all financial ties to marriage that do not rely solely on the procreation of children.

3. Make divorce illegal.

4. Make it illegal to have a child out of wedlock, and do not allow any tax or financial reward for having children out of wedlock.

5. If, sex is only for procreation and, only married persons may procreate (since no other option is acceptable for the children), require a propogation permit to be filed and carried in order for two married persons to have sex. In fact, just to make sure that there is no enjoyment from the sexual encounter that is for procreation only, all sexual activity must take place in the presence of a member of the court.

My point really is this, I refuse to believe the religious right is truly intrested in protecting the family. They don't want gays to marry for many reasons, I just wish they would admit it. I think it is fearmongering to continue to assert that the fight against same-sex marriage is a fight for the family. Until they start fighting for the legislation that hinders the rights of mixed-sex couples, it is purely a fight against gays and not for family.

Today's Warm and Fuzzy Thought

President Bush granted Presidential Pardons today, a power that all but 2 presidents in our history have used, to four people today. It is not that he granted the pardons that confuses me, it is the fact that all four were originally given light sentences and in fact, were all on parole. There was something else that connected all four pardonees. They were all convicted of some sort of bank crime. I am not 100% sure what to make of it but it does seem odd to me.

Who knows.

Where's the pillow case?

A number of years ago, my mother purchased a wonderful croched lace bedroom set from Fingerhut. I remember even as a child loving the cream colored heavy lace duvet and pillow cases. Through a series of odd events, I have ended up with two of the pillow cases while the rest of the set is at my Grandmother's house. Whenever I see these pillow cases, I think of my mother and I smile.

A few weeks ago, Valium and I were watching an episode of Buffy the Vampire slayer. There was a scene that took place in her bedroom and I could not help but notice, she had the same pillow cases on her bed. I am sure that the set designer did not get them from Fingerhut, and that they stopped selling this particular set a long time ago, but I still couldn't help but find it amusing that I own a set of pillow cases just like Buffy.

Then a couple of nights ago, I was watching an episode of Fraiser where he goes to Bora Bora on a romantic getaway and on the bed of his paradise bungalow were my mom's pillow cases again, making a the second time that I have noticed them on a television show. So now, I am going to try and spot the pillow cases as often as I can and see how many shows they make their appearance on.

I'll be sure to keep you all posted.

Today's warm and fuzzy.

I used to think that Sweet Jesus I Hate Bill O'Reilly was my favorite website to visit and get a laugh out of life. Then I discovered that truth can be so much more entertaining (and frightening) when I found Ann Coulter. I believe that she embodies everything that I love and hate about the current neo-conservative movement in our country. I don't think I really have the time or energy to describe her in full to you but I will offer this taste:

"We hear a lot about the 2 million people in America's jails and how many of them are black, but we rarely talk about the 35 to 40 million abortions since Roe v. Wade and how many of those babies were black. When your position on black abortion is identical to the Klan's, maybe it's time to reconsider. "

I really don't want to stoop to her level but, I seriously think she has deep emotional issues. But, don't take my word for it, visit her site yourself and let me know what you think.

Today's warm and fuzzy thought.

Alabama (no big surprise) voters uphold Jim Crow laws on books.

This article is precicely why we should not leave matters of civil rights up to the general voting public. In our first past the post electoral system, as long as those who would oppress outnumber those of the oppresed by one, we will continue to loose. Matters of civil rights and justice should not be left to the general voting public to decide.

Today's warm and fuzzy thought.

Another Alabama Loon

So, we can have a Christian government but Iraq can't have a Muslum government? Yeah, I don't get it.

Today's warm and fuzzy thought.

Clear Channel stations to carry news as broadcasted by Fox News Network.

Oh, thank G-d. Clear Channel was so close to actually letting anyone who is truly fair and balanced from being on the air. Phew, a progressive takeover thwarted.

Where have I been?

For the past few weeks I have been working almost non stop between my two jobs (well really three if you count the SFC). As of today, I am down to one job and I actually have the next two whole days off. I have been journaling whenever possible in my regular journal but have sadly neglected my blog. That is not to say that I haven’t been thinking about things to write, I just have not had the chance to actually write them.

Of the observations that I have made in the last couple of weeks these seem to be the most significant to me (in no particular order):

- I am not someone who can really work two jobs and still keep my sanity and relationship intact.

- In spite of the previous statement, I think somehow I will be able to pull of school and work.

- A movie theatre is one of the only places where people are willing to sit and eat in what sometimes amounts to a giant garbage can. In the projection job that I just left, I had to clean theatres and it suddenly hit me that these people were sitting and eating in their own garbage. Would those who simply leave popcorn, soda and other things on the floor of a theatre go back to a restaurant where instead of taking the plates back to the kitchen and properly disposing of the food, the waiters just dumped the food on the floor and sat the next customers?

- I want to be an artist, a true artist.

- Even really shitty art looks better in a frame.

- I want to start a new company and work for myself.

- TV can really be destructive to my time and creativity.

- I want to write a novel.

- The public transport system in Denver sucks, and if I have to read one more fucking sign that RTD one best Transport System like 200 years ago, I am going to scream. I once rode a bus from 54th and 5th in NYC to the Cloisters at like 190th, and still had a better experience than riding the bus in Denver.

- Valium and I want to spend a month in the next 2 years bumming around Europe.

- A mediocre film can be made better with the addition of really hot naked people (see the Blade (please G-D let this be the last one they make) Trinity posting on the film commune blog).

I am sure there are more observations that I could share but I just can’t think of them right now.

Lots of love,

Shaych

When that moment arrives.

I have never really been a person who has been that concerned with my age. I am not afraid to admit that I am 28 and I hope that I never come to the point where I feel that it is necessary to lie about my age. I think that age is truly relative and a person is only as old as they feel.

However, having said all of that, recently I have begun to become even more aware of my age. For example, just a few brief moments ago, I was watching some guilty pleasure T.V. (I plead the 5th on the actual program) and a commercial came on for a two disc music collection. I was singing along with every song they had included in the collection until they revealed the name of the collection, Amazing 90's.

Suddenly, I could not get the image of a over the hill rocker sitting in cut off jean shorts, sipping and Old Milwaukee, smoking PMs, sporting a mullet and wishing that Skynard could come out with a new album. I had the image of the day when I am surfing the radio waves, hear a great song that I remember from way back in the day, and realize that it is a classic music station.

Oh wait, that has already happened. 93.3 "throw back" weekend anyone?