April 29, 2009

Sorry

Well I am very pleased to post this blog as many of you have asked me why it has been so long since my last blog on April 7, 2009. It is also fun for me to see my counter continue to rise and rise. I am always curious to know if people are enjoying my blog. I have heard from many of you and most comments have been quite positive.

The reason for my long absence has been for a couple of reasons. First with nice weather I tend to take Emma outside to play instead of having her watch hours and hours of Dora the Explorer. This is about my only free time to blog is when she watches TV because otherwise she is attached to my hip asking me so many “WHY” questions I am mentally exhausted. Second, at times I draw a blank as to what I should write. Should I be serious? Should I be funny? And it takes me about an hour to come up with something good. Finally, at night time when my wife comes home from work (just about the time Emma goes to bed) I want to spend my time with her instead of sitting on the couch watching TV and blogging.

Well now that I have gotten this off my chest I will now post my newest blog that I hope you all enjoy. Thanks again for your loyal reading and sorry I had to make you wait so long for the newest blog.

Lost the TV Show

It wasn’t until just recently after watching my friend post daily statuses on Facebook about his obsession for the TV show Lost did I inquire to him if this show was any good. He quickly responded with an emphatic, “It’s a great show.” To which I responded, can I borrow Season 1? The next day I was in possession of Season 1. Heather and I that night sat down to check it out. Before placing disc 1 in our DVD player we had no idea what we were getting ourselves into.
I must preface the rest of this blog by sharing a little story with you. For the past few years I have been hearing from the in-laws, “Don’t call on Thursday nights between the hours of 8-9PM. We are watching Lost.” I must admit I kept thinking to myself what is so great about this show? They are on an island, stuck there, with nothing. How do you make a show like that good? Well it is good and once you start watching you are addicted.

So, now let’s get back to season 1 disc 1. Each disc contains 4 episodes and without commercial interruptions you can get through an episode in about 45 minutes. That first night was the beginning of a beautiful relationship. Heather and I watched the first 4 episodes that night without blinking an eye. We wanted to continue watching, but we thought twice because we had to get up for work the next morning. Once you start watching, you are addicted. You must watch another episode, you must. I have found myself wanting to turn it off but not had the will power. I keep watching and keep wondering, what is going to happen next. The show hooks you in and you can’t turn it off. I am hooked, every night I must watch 2 episodes at least. I obsess about watching more and more episodes. I will also say my sleep schedule is suffering from this show. Friday and Saturday nights I’m up till about 1 or 2 in the morning. Not because I can’t sleep but because I am watching Lost.

I am so glad I don’t have to wait a whole week between episodes. I would not be able to watch only 1 episode a week and then wait an entire week to watch the next one. I would go insane. I am almost going insane having to wait each day for work to get over so I can go home and watch more.

Lost is so great I would recommend to anyone to watch it. But if you have not figured out already, give yourself lots of time because once you start, you won’t be able to stop.

April 7, 2009

Are you insulting me?




Do you feel insulted when you don't make it on a person's Facebook friend list? Do you try and add as many friends as possible? Do you reject people or do you accept everyone and anyone? I will help clear the air as to why you may or may not be on my friend list.


For me personally I only want people looking around my page who I keep in contact with or have been close friends with in the past. I have got numerous requests from people I went to high school with (over 10 years ago) I rarely talked to or associated with. I looked at their request and wonder why in the world they all of the sudden want to be my "Facebook Friend." I have no problem pushing "ignore" when I receive those requests. And sometimes it is more than one time. But then I wonder if those people are insulted I will not add them to my friend list.


I am not trying to get the most friends ever so I will never add everyone and anyone. There are also some people I absolutely don't want on my friend list. I recently had an encounter with someone who didn't say they were mad but looked mad I had ignored their friend request. In not so many words this person said, "You better add me as your friend." Is it such a big status symbol to have Facebook friends? I don't care if other people on my friend list are friends with you, that doesn't mean you're gonna be on my friend list. Don't get mad, after all it is only Facebook. I know I'm not too special that when I push "ignore" I'm telling that person they are no good and their life isn't worth living.

This makes me wonder, how do people feel when you see someone after they were rejected. Do people have hostility, anger, or do they hold a grudge over this rejection?

If Facebook friends are that important I would argue, Facebook friend requests should come with a portion so you can give an explanation as to why you should be accepted on someones friend list. Then if the person doesn't like what you have to say or your reason can't persuade them to push "confirm" then you have no one to blame but yourself. Wait a minute, Facebook does allow you to send a message to people who aren't on your friend list. So, if you are mad and/or insulted you have not been allowed on my friend list I would suggest you send me a message as to why you want on my friend list. I will read your message carefully and Also if you want send me a message why I'm stupid feel free to do that as well. I promise I won't take it personally.

April 5, 2009

Euthanasia Yeah or Nay

While I took a Christian Ethics class in college we studied many controversial issues. One issue in particular was euthanasia. Dictionary.com defines euthanasia, also called mercy killing. The act of putting to death painlessly or allowing to die, as by withholding extreme medical measures, a person or animal suffering from an incurable, esp. a painful, disease or condition.

Buzzel.com lists some pro euthanasia arguments as:

1. Legalizing euthanasia would help alleviate suffering of terminally ill patients. It would be inhuman and unfair to make them endure the unbearable pain.

2. In case of individuals suffering from incurable diseases or in conditions where effective treatment wouldn’t affect their quality of life; they should be given the liberty to choose induced death.

3. Also, the motive of euthanasia is to "aid-in-dying" painlessly and thus should be considered and accepted by law. Although killing in an attempt to defend oneself is far different from mercy killing, law does find it worth approving.

Buzzel.com also lists some con euthanasia arguments as:

1. Mercy killing is morally incorrect and should be forbidden by law. It’s a homicide and murdering another human cannot be rationalized under any circumstances.

2. Human life deserves exceptional security and protection. Advanced medical technology has made it possible to enhance human life span and quality of life. Palliative care and rehabilitation centers are better alternatives to help disabled or patients approaching death live a pain-free and better life.

3. Family members influencing the patient’s decision into euthanasia for personal gains like wealth inheritance is another issue. There is no way you can be really sure if the decision towards assisted suicide is voluntary or forced by others.

Wonder what I think? Well I will tell you of course! The first thing that comes to my mind is to get yourself a living will. A living will is a way to prevent some major problems from occuring in the first place. If there is a legal document stating the wishes of the dying person this would make things quite clear.

Second, what family member gets to "pull the plug" if I may use that term. Well if a couple is married I believe the spouse should then be in control of that decision. Of course there is the argument the spouse may be thinking of the financial gain if the person dies but once again I would refer back to the living will. If the dying person does not want the spouse in charge, get that in your living will. Maybe they are close to a divorce, well then you better get in writing somewhere what you want your dying wishes to be. Make it a priority.

Third, so what if the person is not married, has no family, and there is no living will? I would then argue the decision should be left to the doctors in charge of the person's care. Doctors are well educated and placed in that position for a reason to make tough decisions. I strongly believe in their ability to make the decision for a person's care. I think it should be their decision to make. Yes doctors make mistakes but can you please name a customer service profession free of mistakes?

Ultimately who decides when a person should live or die? How long do we let a person "live" in a coma before it is acceptable to turn off the machines? I am strong believer in letting medical professionals assist in making all these decisions. I know people come out of a coma sometimes after years but let me ask how long do we want insurance companies keep someone alive in a hope they might regain consciousness? Now I know I might change my mind if it were my loved one in a coma, and of course I am not suggesting you can put a dollar amount on someone's life but when the worst case scenario happens I think people should listen to the recommendation of the doctor. They are the smartest and most knowledgable people in those situations. We ought to follow what doctors think is the best viable option.

April 4, 2009

My Thoughts on the Fast and Furious


Paul Walker and Vin Diesel made their return to the big screen together to try and revive the Fast and the Furious trilogy. They were absent from the second movie the very sub par Tokyo Drift. Walking into the theater I was expecting lots of action, fancy cars and good fight scenes. Well the movie met my expectations and I was quite pleased with the movie.

First, I don't like Paul Walker. I don't know what it is about Paul but I just can't stand him. I think he tries to overact and that really bugs me. I am not impressed with his ability to play any kind of character in any movie he has been in, and I am just guessing but I don't think we will ever see him nominated for an Oscar.

Second, Vin Diesel does a good job playing a hard ass who won't take any crap from anyone. His bald head and cut body (kind of like yours truly) helps him fit into that role quite nicely. Of the two main actors in this movie I definitely think Vin is much better than Paul.

Now let's get down to the plot. I found it interesting they kept Paul's character a FBI agent and obviously Vin was a fugitive on the run. The writers did a good job to mold the two characters to meet again after a 5 year absence. I'm not giving anything away, but I did not understand why Vin would leave his woman who had been on the run with him for the last 5 years to now all of the sudden "protect" her. But I will say if he hadn't of left her there would be no need for the movie to continue. Their breakup was the premise of the movie. Paul did his usual police stuff and broke every procedure with every move he took which I didn't buy either. I would think the FBI must follow some sort of procedure, and maybe not, but for Paul's character to pull the stuff he pulled I didn't buy either. I mean he's a member of the FBI at least make his undercover operation a bit more believable. But I did enjoy the story.

Now the cars! In this movie you want to have fast, nice looking cars and the movie had that and then some. Great action scenes that were quite intense and impressive. The scenes were original and well thought out. I loved Vin still had the souped up muscle car and Paul was driving the import. The cars definitely fit their characters. It was indeed an enjoyable action packed movie.

I would say seeing this movie in the theater is worth the money. Leaving the theater I wish I had millions of dollars I could just waste on cars. And with the way the movie ended I look forward to the next Fast and Furious that is bound to come out soon.