Election Day is coming

I don't really care what your affiliation is, get out and vote. That's not really true, I do care and I hope the rest of the nation sees things the way I do and elects Barack Obama as the next president of the United States of America.

But, this is a great election and it is getting better as each day goes by. Yes, I hate the negative ads and crap that gets mailed to me, by both sides. What makes it great is the interest that has been shown by most of the eligible voters that I know and talk with.

I work at a small-ish University and what I have seen over the past few days inspires me. Today, for example I witnessed what looked like the buildup to a fist fight over the opinions and support of candidates. It did not get to that point, which is good, but for the students to care enough and be passionate enough to let it go that far impressed me. And they weren't stupid, they were debating issues - heatedly and gaining supporters on both sides.

The other thing that struck me today was the number of people talking to the Obama representative and the lack of people talking to the McCain representatives that had tables and literature on campus. I really hope all of those kids show up at the polling locations and make their voices known.

do your research - make up YOUR mind - make a difference

Catching up

I haven't written on this blog in quite a while and I have some catching up to do.

Ten days ago was homecoming at the high school my kids go to, which also happens to be the high school I graduated from. And as usual we went to the Friday night football game. Well, this year it actually became a homecoming in a more literal sense. A number of classmates came to the game, even those who do not have kids at the school or who have moved away.

After the game we went out to a local sports bar and played catch up and had some food and drinks. This was kinda strange for me as it was the first time I had seen many of them in years and the first time I had been in a bar for many years without drinking alcohol. It is an interesting experience to watch the behavior and personal interactions while I stayed sober and everyone else progressed into drunkenness.

It was good to see the old classmates, and to see that some of the attitudes and preconceptions that we had in high school have faded and, unfortunately, some have remained. The cliques still remained, although they did begin to break a bit as the night wore on. I still felt a bit like an outsider and that certain roles were still imposed on the people who once held them.

I did not leave the evening with a feeling of wanting to have further contact with these people, no more than acquaintances now, but it was good to be reminded of how much I have changed.

YAY! It's here

The new laptop has arrived - and man is it sweet. It's taking a bit to get used to the layout as it is larger than the previous laptop I had. The display is bright and crisp and the graphic performance is excellent. I will be running some benchmarks on it soon to show off a little bit.

All the LEDs and lightning options are a bit overwhelming at first, but I am sure I will get used to them. Now...time to play some Warcraft on this beast.

Happy Birthday to Helio Gracie

I just read this quote from Helio Gracie - one of the founders of Brazilian JiuJitsu:

Death? [Laughter.] Why fear death? I don’t need anything, I don’t have anything, I don’t want anything. I think it’s silly for somebody to be scared of dying. One should be afraid of being born. I have already told my children when I die I want a party, with no alcohol, no hell raising [general laughter]. But I want a party with music, food… I don’t know if you guys believe in reincarnation, but we all go and come back until the day we no longer have to return. My brother [Carlos Gracie, already deceased] used to say the fellow only stops returning to Earth when he mingles with the Whole. Even when you’re thinking just a little bit wrongly, you come back to continue evolving. Hell, my friends, is right here on Earth.

That is just awesome, he is currently 95 years old and this quote came when he was 91. I am completly in favor of his idea and would love to see that at my own funeral. Celebration, not mourning.

...

I am really putting off doing my homework. I'm not sure what the problem is with this semester - but I just don't want to do it and I am looking for ANY excuse to put it off.

when did this happen?

Today I went to Burger King at lunch time - 12:15 or so on a Wednesday. The place was filled with "senior citizens", at least 85 percent of the patrons. I almost felt out of place there.

I never have viewed BK as a place for the over 70 crowd, that has always seemed like Arby's market to me. Maybe those commercial with the creepy-ass-clown-looking King have drawn the crowds in.

I really don't get it - but hey I'm hoping to still be downing Whoppers when I'm that age.