MT 13:1 - 23

On that day, Jesus went out of the house and sat down by the sea.
Such large crowds gathered around him
that he got into a boat and sat down,
and the whole crowd stood along the shore.
And he spoke to them at length in parables, saying:
“A sower went out to sow.
And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path,
and birds came and ate it up.
Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil.
It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep,
and when the sun rose it was scorched,
and it withered for lack of roots.
Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it.
But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit,
a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.
Whoever has ears ought to hear.”

The disciples approached him and said,
“Why do you speak to them in parables?”
He said to them in reply,
“Because knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven
has been granted to you, but to them it has not been granted.
To anyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich;
from anyone who has not, even what he has will be taken away.
This is why I speak to them in parables, because
they look but do not see and hear but do not listen or understand.
Isaiah’s prophecy is fulfilled in them, which says:
You shall indeed hear but not understand,
you shall indeed look but never see.
Gross is the heart of this people,
they will hardly hear with their ears,
they have closed their eyes,
lest they see with their eyes
and hear with their ears
and understand with their hearts and be converted,
and I heal them.

“But blessed are your eyes, because they see,
and your ears, because they hear.
Amen, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people
longed to see what you see but did not see it,
and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.

“Hear then the parable of the sower.
The seed sown on the path is the one
who hears the word of the kingdom without understanding it,
and the evil one comes and steals away
what was sown in his heart.
The seed sown on rocky ground
is the one who hears the word and receives it at once with joy.
But he has no root and lasts only for a time.
When some tribulation or persecution comes because of the word,
he immediately falls away.
The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word,
but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word
and it bears no fruit.
But the seed sown on rich soil
is the one who hears the word and understands it,
who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.”

Happy 4th of July!

Hello everyone. Just stopping by to say happy 4th of July! I always loved this holiday. There are always barbeque's and fire work displays. Growing up this was always a holiday where I was with family. Of course at this time most of my family is scattered. My brother in San Antonio, my father in Huntsville and my mother practically across the globe from us all at this time. I am down here in South Florida with my in laws and an overly anxious dog when it comes to fireworks and thunderstorms. Needless to say it makes the summer a headache here.

But regardless I think it is good to remember what makes this country great and to remember that patriotism is still a good thing when you are from a great country where there is reason to be proud. The 4th of July is to celebrate the freedom from Britain and the end of our fight for independence. Strangely enough I believe that this entire fight started from unfair taxation and it also crazy to think of the progress this nation has gone through since its start. We expanded all the way from the east to the west and we became an incredibly powerful country. Some seem ashamed about this power. I think it is better to be one of the powerful than to be one on the other side. It isn't like the American People didn't work hard to get to that place. I believe next to Japan we probably have one the most competitive countries when it comes to work and growth. Where else can people advance from rags to riches. We all have the ability to advance to incredible positions. I believe that is something great about this country that we should always fight to maintain. The freedom to pursue happiness.

Well, I am going to try and enjoy the holiday. It is great looking back and seeing pictures from 4th of July since I started this. There sure have been many changes. Hope to keep it going for awhile longer....

Time for warm milk....

I can't seem to sleep so it seems as good of time as any to write. The main things on my mind involve work and the fact I just accepted a position elsewhere. It is a little nerve wracking moving from my comfort zone of the position I've been at for the past two years. But I have to remember why I am leaving, respect, money and more time. The ultimate goal. Working for less hours and for more money. It is hard to come by with someone of my work background... which these two years is about all I have.

I spent about a week negotiating the rate and everything for the position. I feel like I moving to an executive position with how long it has taken to get hired on. Though that is definitely not the case.

Enough about work, there is plenty else going on in the world. I feel at times disconnected. Every time I look to the TV though, I can hardly believe what I hear. For instance, does anyone really like these presidential candidates? And if you do, can you provide a LEGITIMATE answer as to why? For the life of me I really do not understand. It appears to me we have a liberal and a communist running against each other. Can you guess which would be each role? Is there really a difference. Its a toss up to me.

Yeah, I use to hate labels, but I really don't care anymore. There seem to be quite legitimate reasons for labels. There is not some way to understand the reason why everyone feels the way they do. Some people just come about their decisions because they "feel like it" or by faith. Now, as a person of faith I do not count against anyone who may come to their decisions with the backing of faith... Provided they still have some amount of reason behind it. And Saint Thomas Aquinas proved many years ago that we can come to decisions on faith WITH the backing of reason. Though I do ask one thing, if you do come by your decision upon faith alone, WHY WON'T YOU AT LEAST ADMIT IT. Few will on the side of liberalism, and no it isn't just the guidance of Ann Coulter that lead me to these thoughts. You realize this in basic conversations.

For instance, try bringing up the topic of abortion or gay rights? Can you legitimately argue these with most people? No you can't. Most people will make decisions on these topics based upon faith and not reason. Now I do admit my faith does guide me with both. But once someone can convince me that gay rights and abortion go along with natural law... I will at least listen, and don't think I haven't read the argument before... At least with abortion.

Anyway. I am going to attempt to sleep again. Since I will be utterly shocked if more than my two to three fans reads this. Two of the three will read in disgust, but hey, what am I but truthful. Goodnight!

How to find a job?

Now if you are looking for a new position in a hurry, job seeking can be like a full time job in itself. It takes research, writing and primarily knowing how to correctly market yourself to the position that you believe you are eligible.

1. First it takes having knowledge of your work history and references. It is best to get your complete resume (at least the bread and butter of it, education, work history, etc). Now the reason I say the bread and butter is because you may be forming your resume differently or enhancing certain parts of your experience depending on position.

This actually takes time unless you are literally straight out of school. For example, I realized that I completely forgot my supervisor's name and contact information for one of my prior positions. I speak awhile trying to track it down to realize I would have to improvise because he did not appear to be there anymore.

2. Second I use all of the regular sites (or a few, there are definitely more):

indeed.com
simplyhired.com
careerbuilder.com
monster.com
linkedin.com

Apply to ANYTHING that sounds interesting to you. You never know what could happen. The last thing you want to do is to be too picky. Sometimes it is best to take what you can get and keep searching. You may not find your dream job right off the bat, but I am getting ahead of myself.

Put up your resume, MAKE IT PUBLIC. Don't be afraid of employers and recruiters contacting you. In today's day and age recruiters are your friend. I do not just say that because I am one. More than likely if a recruiter calls you for one position that you don't like, maybe he will know of others that might be a better fit. Hear them out, that is ALL THEY DO! They get people into positions, they look at resumes and they know of other employers that you might be interested in. Honestly, I would listen to opportunities even when you are not actively looking, you never know if they have a better deal.

Now you notice I DID NOT say get out your local newspaper. Yes, there are still positions on your ONLINE paper and the regular paper. In doing that you are missing most employment opportunities. You would be better off looking at Craigslist now a days than that. It is knowing where people are posting positions. Smaller companies might go for the free or cheaper sites, that is why you also use indeed.com or simplyhired.com which searches multiple sites at once.


3. Cover letter's are required! I do not apply for anything without a cover letter to the hiring manager. This entails of where I found the position, my skills that show why I am the ideal candidate for the position and about wanting an interview with the hiring manager in person.

Now this may also mean reading the description of each position and editing your resume as well before you submit it to bring out certain previous skills. As I said earlier, it can be like a full time position.

4. The interview! Yeah, it is great when you get to this point. Sometimes it takes a day and sometimes it takes a month. No matter how long it takes it is good to be PREPARED! Read up as much as you can on the company. It is actually not only to find out details to throw out in the interview to show you did your research, but you also want to protect yourself from falling into a crappy position or a scam. If they ask for money to take the position, RUN AWAY!

Back on topic, have two edited resumes with you to take to the interview with references included. Here is where you have to put in money, have a nice dark suit. Girls, no high heals or flashy tops (it is not always a horny guy you are interviewing with, and even if it is that is not the best way to start off a position). Guys, black or charcoal gray suit with black dress shoes and do not wear a red tie (or a purple one.. Which brings to mind). No crazy color's or backpacks. You should be business professional. Believe me it matters when you interview with many applicants, they will disqualify BEFORE YOU SPEAK if you dress wrong.

Be prepared of basic questions, why you were interested in the position particularly, about why you are making a move, where you see yourself in five years. Sometimes it is best to seriously think of those things before you go. They are going to expect answers.

Now BE PREPARED TO ASK QUESTIONS. You should know about what you are going into and try to find out as much as possible about the position when there. If you are nervous, write them down. I always bring in a pad and paper with me in a folder with my resume. There are usually details that I need and write before I leave.

5. Follow up after interview. Be sure to have name and number of the hiring manager and follow up to show your interest. Now do not stalk.... That might piss them off, but it doesn't hurt to try and keep your name in front of them. Some write thank you letters. I actually have not done this. If it is effective please let me know. I have written emails though to them, and sometimes that works.


Hopefully after going through a few interviews you will land something. I did accept one position during the interview. I do not think I will do that again. I prefer to go back home and discuss with my husband or ANYONE else about the position before I accept it. Want to make sure I am not crazy to other's standards for taking the position. Also, it sometimes is best to think things over.

6. My final tip is to be respectful of your previous employer no matter the reason leaving and give a two week notice. They may not take it, but it is best to not burn any bridges. You never know when you will need anything from someone you use to work with.

That brings me to conclusion. Even going through this entire process of finding a job, I can say that most jobs you will probably get is through NETWORKING. Tell friends and family that you are looking (as long as they are not connected with current employer if you are still working there). They may know someone looking. I don't know how many times that is how people get their next position. I almost moved to a new position because of someone I worked with previously was hiring at with their new employer. Those can be the best because you have an in.

Now, this reminds me that I could write a book on this stuff. It really isn't too complicated to figure out, but it is something that you SHOULD read up on if you haven't searched in awhile or if this is your first time.

Good luck to anyone else who is looking!

Fortune Teller

I had gone to a fortune teller when I was in Amarillo, twice. I was told that I will be living near the beach and will have a happy marriage. I will have four children. I remember the lady had me in tears the first time I was there. She told me to pray, that I had temporarily lost my way and to get out of that life quickly. I felt like she was reading my mind. She told me to close my eyes and to stick out my hand, but my eyes stayed open and she stared right into them.

The first time it was a creepy experience. She told me to keep everything to myself. Because I do not believe fully in the credibility of such people, I am posting on it. In fact the second time I went she gave quite faulty information. At the time I first went she said I have a question for her. I did have a question, but I was afraid to ask. My question was if the guy I was with was the one... The one for the great marriage, the four kids and the life on the beach. I did not ask though. I refused to. I was afraid of the answer because part of me knew that it was a no, but I wasn't ready to let go.

Well, regardless of what she said, I am married to a great guy and we live right near the beach. I don't know much about the others. She said I would meet one of my best friends in a position where I am sitting in front of a computer. She said that I would be a buisness woman that travels. I don't know what else. Doesn't sound too bad. It gives hope at least. She also gave such specific information I keep thinking, what the hell was she talking about. Maybe my entire life I think back to that lady every once and awhile and think of what she got right or wrong. I was thinking about it right now about the four kids with a life that she described. It sounds like a nice dream regardless of what is to come.

But I know to trust in God, but sometimes I wonder about the lives that God leads us on. Was he leading her? Was she a false profit? I don't know. It is just a memory that comes back to me every once and awhile.

Goodnight to any who read;)

Job Change?

I am contemplating going between positions.

Why? I feel like I have to ask myself. I have to be very sure that I am ready. I have a position where I am respected in my office and I have control over the day to day activities. But, the control only goes so far.

I work in recruiting or sales... Same difference to me. This job consists of long hours. I sit in my seat for nine hours a day. I work for commission, so I am driven for to not take breaks. I had times that I had trouble taking lunch. They don't have regular breaks, just 7-12 then lunch, 1-5 (usually 6pm), and I go home. It is close to home, so that is fine. I am just tired.

Also, the commission structure is fine for temporary employment, but when your client goes to permanent the commission is questionable. Then there is the turnover at my position, which hurts you because of everyone being teamed together.

I will stop bitching.... I do get along with the people, which was one thing that makes this hard. I have also made money off of this, but the last complaint is why it is not consistent. Someone will bank off my efforts though.

I have a friend who is waving more immediate money in front of me at another recruiting company. Now, there is the initial build up, but there is the larger commission, larger base and less hours. Not too much farther from home either.

So more pay for less hours is good. Now I just have to interview. I feel secure that I am going between positions right at my two year mark. It does seem like a good deal. I will let you know if I take it. The only thing that makes me not want to if I get pregnant... But I wouldn't have done a thing if I waited for everything because I might get pregnant. Why wait for something that may not happen for another year or ever?

I just leave it to God's hands. I asked for an out and he handed it to me. I can only believe that it is his work. Till next time...

Infertility

Not too long ago my OBGYN told me that I am infertile. Strangely enough it was on my birthday. I wasn't very surprised though. I'm not exactly an advocate of birth control and I've now been married for two years.

Well, my doctor put me on 50 mg of clomid because of having PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome). Yes, same thing that Kate had on John and Kate + 8... In fact I think she got pregnant on he same stuff I'm on. I was glad to at least know what it was. Through this entire time I was thinking that all of these people growing up making us terrified of teenage pregnancy or getting pregnant from unsafe sex; and all the warnings of getting pregnant from just having sex once was absolutely crazy. They must be lying. Or maybe the formula to getting pregnant is getting REALLY drunk and then picking up someone at the bar for the night to where you have no clue what is going on in the morning. I've spoke with several single mothers. It seems to be an effective model. Well, I am not going to do that since I already have a husband and everything.

Well, I am on my first month of clomiphene or clomid and took day 4-8 as directed. I am using the basal thermometer and using a chart. I have a direct days to conceive and what not. I am not sure if I have ovulated or not. I think I might have, but that is the problem with PCOS is that you don't ovulate. The clomiphene (generic clomid) just created a surge of emotions and hotflashes. I kind of see why everyone says it is difficult time going through fertility treatment. It is like having PMS continuously through the month.

Well, I am day 15, so we will see how it goes. I pray that clomid works. Part of me thinks that it was God's gift giving me that answer and the medication on my birthday. Baby fever has been a frustration till now. Now I feel productive, like I am doing something to help this. I just hope I don't have twins or more. One is good.... But there is always the 10% chance of getting multiples. Look up multiples and clomid though. It looks pretty common on google.

So we will see how it goes.... Till next time...

Baby names

Though not pregnant, baby's are on the brain. I have talked with several girls and it seems to be norm for girls to have an idea of their future children's names before they are even married. I was thinking about that myself. I have no definite names in mind. I am not sure if it matters too much. But what would I use when I have kids? What would I name a boy or girl?

I do have one definite standard, the name has to be Christian. Just standard, other than that I guess this is something that goes on feeling and also it has to go with my last name, so nothing starting with the same letter.

Now I could also go with names in my and my husband's family (this is taking into effect above standards); Boy names : Frank, Duran, Jessie, Matthew, William, Joseph, Michael, Arthur, Salvatore, Eleazar, Alfredo. That is just a few... For Girl names: Anne or Ana, Mary or Mary Anne, Elizabeth, Claire, Marlyn, Barbara, Julie.

Now with these I am going no further than grandparents. I do have names past that, some of the girl names are pretty, but I don't have them with me.

Now there is also the possibility of using names from those inspirational or of famous figures that we admire... That sort of thing. For boys: Thomas (St. Thomas Aquinas), Theodore (president), William (William F. Buckley), Aristotle (maybe not, but just comes to mind)... I have to think more on that one. For girls: Anne (multiple figures and family ties, so this one is strong), Marie (this is my patron saint's name).

So what is my preference. If you can't tell I am more settled on girl name than boy. But no reason to rush into things.

New Post....

I am writing because I hate seeing that quiz on the top of my blog and there being no posts for the past year, but so life goes. You know I was thinking of past posts on my blog. I mean, this thing goes back years!

Amazing how time flies.

Anyway. I did posts on March 05, Nafisi, Nabokov and random thoughts. This was an interesting one when I look back on it. Especially how I said,

No, we do not have a repressive regieme where we feel helpless with the fear of death upon us. Yet we still lock ourselves into this materialistic world with the idea that it will make us happy.... That we have to find this perfect career to make us happy for the rest of our lives. What is the outcome? Well, in Jess's and my case it is going through the education system till we receive our Ph D's. What is the repayment of working away your youth? Why, more work... for security and stuff. Through this I am told never to marry till I'm done with school in my 30s and enjoy what you are forced to do. Hey you'll get plenty of vacation time when your too old to really enjoy it:)

Well, I do still think there is an illusion of the perfect career to some, but I'm not sure if that is the case anymore. No one stays in the same position for years; you can usually make more money from going to a new company once you have a few years experience. That is what I feel like I am doing... I am almost at that two year point of experienced recruiter, "ooo -aaah".

Not as prestigious as my original career path and what my mom chose, but it can be good for money if you pick the right industry and get with a company that won't rip you off (which from what I've heard is common).

I am just happy I have a place I can go to work that I can stand. Of course my job has now had the brilliant idea of moving the work place across the street from the beach. Now to some this might sound exciting. Imagine this, you look out at the window from morning before sunrise to evening when the sun is going down with only an hour in the sun each day. I can only think of it like having the seat at school looking out at the playground. You watch each and every recess period, but you get 1 hour. Except in my situation even that one hour I can't exactly go to stand on the beach in my work clothing.

So, I will stay at this a little longer and then see what comes about from there. Hope for higher base pay somewhere out there, better commission structure and the possibility for benefits... like what my parents had through the state... We can only dream.

Funny, how perspective on life can change. I was resistant to developing to the life I have here, but I am happier now. Regardless, all these developments of life no matter if materialistic or not are very much the order of human existence. Depression seems to develop from trying to get away from it.

Well, I've accomplished my goal. Got the quiz off the top. Now, I'll try not to be as scarce, but no promises. Life is unpredictable.

You are The Hierophant

Divine Wisdom. Manifestation. Explanation. Teaching.

All things relating to education, patience, help from superiors.The Hierophant is often considered to be a Guardian Angel.

The Hierophant's purpose is to bring the spiritual down to Earth. Where the High Priestess between her two pillars deals with realms beyond this Earth, the Hierophant (or High Priest) deals with worldly problems. He is well suited to do this because he strives to create harmony and peace in the midst of a crisis. The Hierophant's only problem is that he can be stubborn and hidebound. At his best, he is wise and soothing, at his worst, he is an unbending traditionalist.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

My new car

Not the actual one, but close. Its a Chevy TrailBlazer!

Question who is corrupt

I was just thinking of the time that I first discovered that I was possibly more conservative than I and everyone else had thought. It was rather simple really. Have you ever taken those little political tests you find on the internet? I did love taking those for awhile. Maybe it was the idea of trying to find out who I really should be supporting. At that point I didn't really find myself on the side of the democrats. For instance, I always thought that beurocracy was really ineffective. Can anyone say that when the state takes over things that they run more effectively? Try to think of one.

The next point. I was no longer pro-abortion/pro-choice. I say no longer, because I use to be primarily because my parents are. What changed? New found understanding of life and the horrible effect that abortion has on society as a whole, for one because it is murder (most major point) and if you are one who won't believe that, there is also the point that it makes it where people do not accept responsibility of their actions. One way or another, the allowance of abortion is a major sin of our country.

Moving on, I had trouble understanding how I was a democrat at all. It was as if I voted for them for still having a fear of being labeled as a conservative or to be supportive of the republicans.... who have been labeled as corrupt. Then, I thought.... What proof is there of their corruption? I just took that as a given. The corrupt republican, who was controlled by the evil corporations that cared nothing of people. All they cared about were profit and anything to continue that profit. There was no true caring for the people of this country. So my view was to still vote democrat as a supporter of the people? Am I too far off from general thoughts of republican party. I thought to be a republican was to be stupid and to be closed off to the truth of their corrupt nature.

So the question comes, WHERE IS THE PROOF OF THE CORRUPTION? I was sitting at the computer a while back. Still professing myself as a liberal and I took a test that put my views as the same as Vice President Cheny. I was thinking to myself, are these really his views or is this his way of decieving the public. When I realized how damn paranoid my own thoughts sounded I decided to look further into his political views. I never found real proof of his corruption either. I just found the same paranoid response that originally popped up in my head that I kept questioning.

Before I knew it I started hearing the democratic party in a new light. I have a memory of being at a Dean political rally years ago and hearing people cheer over the gay rights. I sat still at that point looking out over the crowd. Forgive me if you are horribly offended by this, but that was never a point I supported even as a liberal. Just take it as my conservative biggotted family values that I was raised with (of course of you think that you obviously have no clue about my family). The only reason I even write that with an apology is because I've been approached with GREAT hostility for even slightly voicing that opinion.

The hostility is the reason I write this. Republicans are not stupid or corrupt. Many of them maybe prosperous capitalists. I had someone say that about me, that I was plainly a capitalist. Felt no insult there. What I think many democrats really need to do is to start to look at their own party when it comes to corruption and rethink of who it is that should not be trusted.

But now I have gotten use to some of my ideas being met with hostility or simply ignored rather than discussed. Whatever. If you don't care to listen, nothing will be gained. All I did was open my mind up as any good liberal says you should, and boom... I became a conservative. Funny how it works.

Now I'm just rambling on. Now I must go to sleep.

Quest

Writing is not something I've done in quite awhile. At least I've been use to doing the short story version. Now I plan to actually start to write a full story. Won't say to much more about it till it actually makes it further out than just chapter one. What I started thinking of once I started to write was what are the basic thing needed in a story line. I wrote a paper on the process of the story. I want to see how much I remember from this...



1. Start off in the original world, or the place where the hero had come from. This is where the hero had been in their home town or a place that is where they have comfort.



2. I believe there is some upset that is the next step, some challenge is given and the hero has to either willingly or unwillingly jump into the quest. I don't remember exactly what this step was called. What i do remember is that at this point in Star Wars it was when Luke was given the option of going on the quest to save the princess. In that sense he was the unwilling hero. He went because they had killed his family and he had nothing to go back to.



3. The journey of the hero I believe is the next step of the story.

For the life of me I don't remember how exactly it goes from here. I believe that there is a second conflict that happens that the hero must go through that leads to the final on with the enevitable resolution. The resolution must be done on his own without the help of friends or others to help. For instance, when Luke Skywalker destroyed the death star.

I'm going to try and go through and do a full outline. I don't think I'll trust my writing genius to guide me where my muse takes me. I think I'll be a little more realistic than that. I will let you know more as I have progress. Of course I have the assistance of my lovely husband.

Let's hope it works out! I have to say being a writer would definitely suit me better than recruiting. If nothing else comes out of it.... At least this can be entertainment.

Pics of New York

Vacation to Manhattan

Vacations are never as long as you wish them to be. I just visited Manhattan for the first time. The city was wonderful and I already can't wait to go back, but for the most part my week seems to be a vacation planning gone bad. Not that the vacation was bad, but lets say it was not what we had expected. It was a good pay period as we took off. We both work by commission and lets say it was a better than average to start off a vacation. One thing after another, by the time we made it to New York we were already broke. I'm not sure why, but that meant we spent the vacation walking. I took the vacation with my family, they asked me what I wanted to do. Considering the condition of finances I could only honestly say that I wanted to see the city. So that is what I spent my time doing for the past week, walking through Manhattan. Lets say I have blisters upon blisters, and I was not in the best conditioned going in. I have no reason walking at all on a normal basis. Recruiting is not the most energetic of jobs. So it was quite an experience to walk so much in such a short time period.

I've been back since Tuesday and I've really felt wonder lust once again. I have to admit that is one reason I was taken by Arthur in the first place, and that is why I am in South Florida. Now, I feel like the city. Maybe New York is too expensive, but I just want to move to a good city. I liked the convenience of the city and the people going back in forth in suits and other business attire. I liked the atmosphere of the New York. I would also like seasons. I'm not meant for the tropics. My allergies and my skin can only take so much of this sun and whatever else there is in the air I am allergic to.

I remember having long conversations about just leaving and going somewhere else. No matter where it was I lived. The problem now is I have a job, which I have recently been promoted at. My husband has a job and is trying to get his business going. All are reasons for me to stay and to be happy staying.

All I need is to be patient. Maybe it will pass as everything else does. How does one remain content with such drives? Arthur says that if I get placements (commission) that I will be happy again. We will see.

I will see if I can load some pics.

1 Peter 3:13-22

13Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear[b]; do not be frightened."[c] 15But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, 19through whom[d] also he went and preached to the spirits in prison 20who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge[e] of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.

I need to move further north...

The South Florida summer has definitly set in. Humid and hot, but much better than Texas. I understand why people still escape this place during the summer. It's not just the threat of hurricanes. Right now I wish I was further north. I don't really care where, just as long as it is colder than here.

Most South Floridians are out at the beach baking out in the sun. I'm not going out there again till I get a big umbrella. My skin won't take it otherwise. That is what I think I am doing tomorrow. But so far going to the movie was a relief yesterday. We went to see Evan Almighty. Great movie! Very funny! I was really suprised to see bad reviews of it. I would say you definitly should ignore the reviews and go and see it.

Now I think we are about to go see another movie. Till later!

On with summer

The rainy season has started in South Florida... Oh how I miss regular seasons. Though I know that I, as I've heard all do quite quickly down here, have completely adapted to this subtropical climate. I can't take even the slightest bit of cold weather. Now we are back to the season where there is not the unbearable Texas heat, but there is the feeling that I am constantly in a sauna. The most pleasant part of this time of the year is that all snow birds have flown north for the winter. Everything is now quiet and the traffic has let up. I'll be surprised if there are any news developments down here till about November or December.

Talking about the news, how about all these new presidential candidates? I really don't know myself. Don't care much about the Democrats side. Clinton or Obama? Not in a great situation one way or another. I haven't landed yet on a republican candidate I support. Too many of them so far. Maybe a few will be weeded out soon enough. One I do know, Giuliani isn't my top pick. I don't see him as one to win the hearts of the Christian Right anyway. Support of abortion will definitely kill that no matter what else he supports. Though to touch more on that I definitely need to read more into the news.

My job has recently won out over school. I guess working about fifty hours at a full time job and trying to be a full time online student does not work. I truly did not know that my job would be that much of a work load when I first took it. Though being a physician recruiter is good enough for me right now. I guess being a grad student will wait for now. That does mean though that I have time on my hands in the late afternoons again.

Maybe I'll blog more. I guess we will see.

Pelicans

Quiz

Create your own Friend Quiz here

Okay, I created this for my myspace, so the last question should be quite obvious:)

Pics from home

I love my new camera. Now I can start taking pictures again. Here are a couple from around home. I've had a good little vacation in Orlando. Now back to work and school. Not much else. Later!

Vacation

Went on a little vacation to Universal Studios. Nothing much to write about it write about it now, but I did enjoy my birthday. Here are a few photos from my new camara. Yeah! I'm excited! Its much better than my old one. I'm about to pass of out right now... So I'll write when I have time next...









The unfortunate part about going on vacation with just the two of us, no pics of us together. Later!

News bias

This was in the news section, Conservatives can't explain Ann Coulter away

I started off with interest in the news field, print journalism. The reason I started putting up the Ben Sergent cartoons when I posted earlier is because the college paper I worked for he also started off there. I wanted to work for the news because I actually thought it was a good cause to give people the facts. I lost interest once I realized that was never the intention of those in the media. I should have realized that when studying the history of journalism....

We have reverted to Yellow Journalism with all news sources today. It is the time of posting opinion instead of the facts, and since all are getting the same opinion in the news they assume they are the facts. One example is above link about Ann Coulter. This was the top story for US news section on Google. It is a link to a BLOG first off. Second, it is opinion. It is very misleading to put it on the news section of Google.

There are certain things that I think that the media portray as fact that are simply opinion. The President of the United States is portrayed as stupid. It is thought as fact that he lied to the country about weapons of mass destruction. It is said that he violated international law with going to war with Iraq. It is said that it is scientific fact that global warming is caused by humans and can be controlled by humans. Like it or not, all of these are opinion.

I would go further to explain, but as usual my time is limited for posting. I have an ongoing frustration with the news and all of the trash that is given to our public. Political Correctness has taken over and it has effectively silenced the majority opinion of Americans. This new direction is against Christianity and religion in general. It is against standing up for standards of morality. This is the only opinion as shown by the news. Any thing else is portrayed as bigoted or ignorance. I seriously worry about the direction that we are going in and fill there is no way of correcting it. Does anybody else think that it is wrong where the country's media is for the downfall of its own leaders and is against the military actions taken by the country. I know it is not just the media, it is the left. I was just reminded of the Left's agenda through looking at the Google News. I think that history will not look well on this period, not because of the president but because of it appears to be a new period of Yellow Journalism.

Happy Birthday to El!

I just realized as I looked quickly at my archives that my blog is two years old.... Well, it is starting it's third year tomorrow. That is one reason why I can't abandon this thing. I started the blog right after my second semester as a grad student at Texas State. Thus the reason for the address: "blogfromsanmarcos". That doesn't quite fit anymore. I was single at that point. I drank at that point and I will be suprised if I ever have a job that easy again. I started this primarily for pictures and art. It still has that purpose at times. When I look back though I realize there is much more to it. The comments between my friends and I that give away our lives, the random facts of my crazey life and then when I finally met Arthur. I admit that I didn't keep up with this as much once I was at the point of getting married. There are things in your life that are just not for everyone. One thing I was somewhat vocal about was changing from democrat to republican. Though I have to admit once I did changed over I don't bother much with political argument. You find that most are do certain they are right that they won't listen to reason. What reason is there to really try? Oh, I still will everyonce and awhile.

Here are some pics through the years:

First pic on my blog.


Me over three years ago.

Perfect timing on trip to Miami, just in time for Katrina.


Then the wedding.

No pictures for now past the wedding.

This is it for now. Till next time!

West Coasters, East Coasters... They're the same.

Texas owes the United States for just about everything. Ever since American emigres helped to foment a rebellion against the Mexican government of General Antonio Lopez de Santa Ana, other American citizens have regularly come to the aid of Texas without so much as a demand for a quid pro quo. During this 1836 rebellion, American volunteers, many from Tennessee (including former US Congressman Davy Crockett) went to Texas to aid the Texian rebels with little more than the expectation that they would get to fight a little bit. Their efforts helped to create the Republic of Texas, not that they get much of the credit compared to 'real' Texans.

- the left coaster



Crockett monument

I would put more, but as showing from my lack of posts I don't have much time. I'm still keeping this up though I really don't have the time right now. I have a twenty page paper due by the end of the week and I have been doing well at keeping up with class. I don't wish to change anything. Business is good and life is good. I just get disturbed by stupidity as usual, which the quote article above shows... the whole article does. I was trying to think of the best title for the post, what do you think?

Hey, maybe I'll add more in a week or so. Hope all are doing well!

Christmas 06'

Groupthink

Hello Everyone,

Here is an article I thought people would think is interesting. Usually I would just put a link, but this one I really think is worth seeing.


http://chronicle.com/temp/reprint.php? id=56a4b06e77oshwaiq5psszuc2gti5neb

From the issue dated November 12, 2004
Liberal Groupthink Is Anti-Intellectual

 
By MARK BAUERLEIN

Conservatives on college campuses scored a tactical hit when the American Enterprise Institute's magazine published a survey of voter registration among humanities and social-science faculty members several years ago. More than nine out of 10 professors belonged to the Democratic or Green party, an imbalance that contradicted many liberal academics' protestations that diversity and pluralism abound in higher education. Further investigations by people like David Horowitz, president of the Center for the Study of Popular Culture, coupled with well-publicized cases of discrimination against conservative professors, reinforced the findings and set "intellectual diversity" on the agenda of state legislators and members of Congress.

The public has now picked up the message that "campuses are havens for left-leaning activists," according to a Chronicle poll of 1,000 adult Americans this year. Half of those surveyed -- 68 percent who call themselves "conservative" and even 30 percent who say they are "liberal" -- agreed that colleges improperly introduce a liberal bias into what they teach. The matter, however, is clearly not just one of perception. Indeed, in another recent survey, this one conducted by the Higher Education Research Institute of the University of California at Los Angeles, faculty members themselves chose as their commitment "far left" or "liberal" more than two and a half times as often as "far right" or "conservative." As a Chronicle article last month put it: "On left-leaning campuses around the country, professors on the right feel disenfranchised."

Yet while the lack of conservative minds on college campuses is increasingly indisputable, the question remains: Why?

The obvious answer, at least in the humanities and social sciences, is that academics shun conservative values and traditions, so their curricula and hiring practices discourage non-leftists from pursuing academic careers. What allows them to do that, while at the same time they deny it, is that the bias takes a subtle form. Although I've met several conservative intellectuals in the last year who would love an academic post but have given up after years of trying, outright blackballing is rare. The disparate outcome emerges through an indirect filtering process that runs from graduate school to tenure and beyond.

Some fields' very constitutions rest on progressive politics and make it clear from the start that conservative outlooks will not do. Schools of education, for instance, take constructivist theories of learning as definitive, excluding realists (in matters of knowledge) on principle, while the quasi-Marxist outlook of cultural studies rules out those who espouse capitalism. If you disapprove of affirmative action, forget pursuing a degree in African-American studies. If you think that the nuclear family proves the best unit of social well-being, stay away from women's studies.

Other fields allow the possibility of studying conservative authors and ideas, but narrow the avenues of advancement. Mentors are disinclined to support your topic, conference announcements rarely appeal to your work, and few job descriptions match your profile. A fledgling literary scholar who studies anti-communist writing and concludes that its worth surpasses that of counterculture discourse in terms of the cogency of its ideas and morality of its implications won't go far in the application process.

No active or noisy elimination need occur, and no explicit queries about political orientation need be posed. Political orientation has been embedded into the disciplines, and so what is indeed a political judgment may be expressed in disciplinary terms. As an Americanist said in a committee meeting that I attended, "We can't hire anyone who doesn't do race," an assertion that had all the force of a scholastic dictum. Stanley Fish, professor and dean emeritus of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Illinois at Chicago, advises, "The question you should ask professors is whether your work has influence or relevance" -- and while he raised it to argue that no liberal conspiracy in higher education exists, the question is bound to keep conservatives off the short list. For while studies of scholars like Michel Foucault, Michael Hardt, and Antonio Negri seem central in the graduate seminar, studies of Friedrich A. von Hayek and Francis Fukuyama, whose names rarely appear on cultural-studies syllabi despite their influence on world affairs, seem irrelevant.

Academics may quibble over the hiring process, but voter registration shows that liberal orthodoxy now has a professional import. Conservatives and liberals square off in public, but on campuses, conservative opinion doesn't qualify as respectable inquiry. You won't often find vouchers discussed in education schools or patriotism argued in American studies. Historically, the boundaries of scholarly fields were created by the objects studied and by norms of research and peer review. Today, a political variable has been added, whereby conservative assumptions expel their holders from the academic market. A wall insulates the academic left from ideas and writings on the right.

One can see that phenomenon in how insiders, reacting to Horowitz's polls, displayed little evidence that they had ever read conservative texts or met a conservative thinker. Weblogs had entries conjecturing why conservatives avoid academe -- while never actually bothering to find one and ask -- as if they were some exotic breed whose absence lay rooted in an inscrutable mind-set. Professors offered caricatures of the conservative intelligentsia, selecting Ann H. Coulter and Rush Limbaugh as representatives, not von Hayek, Russell Kirk, Leo Strauss, Thomas Sowell, Robert Nozick, or Gertrude Himmelfarb. One of them wrote that "conservatives of Horowitz's ilk want to unleash the most ignorant forces of the right in hounding liberal academics to death."

Such parochialism and alarm are the outcome of a course of socialization that aligns liberalism with disciplinary standards and collegial mores. Liberal orthodoxy is not just a political outlook; it's a professional one. Rarely is its content discussed. The ordinary evolution of opinion -- expounding your beliefs in conversation, testing them in debate, reading books that confirm or refute them -- is lacking, and what should remain arguable settles into surety. With so many in harmony, and with those who agree joined also in a guild membership, liberal beliefs become academic manners. It's social life in a professional world, and its patterns are worth describing.

The first protocol of academic society might be called the Common Assumption. The assumption is that all the strangers in the room at professional gatherings are liberals. Liberalism at humanities meetings serves the same purpose that scientific method does at science assemblies. It provides a base of accord. The Assumption proves correct often enough for it to join other forms of trust that enable collegial events. A fellowship is intimated, and members may speak their minds without worrying about justifying basic beliefs or curbing emotions.

The Common Assumption usually pans out and passes unnoticed -- except for those who don't share it, to whom it is an overt fact of professional life. Yet usually even they remain quiet in the face of the Common Assumption. There is no joy in breaking up fellow feeling, and the awkward pause that accompanies the moment when someone comes out of the conservative closet marks a quarantine that only the institutionally secure are willing to endure.

Sometimes, however, the Assumption steps over the line into arrogance, as when at a dinner a job candidate volunteered her description of a certain "racist, sexist, and homophobic" organization, and I admitted that I belonged to it. Or when two postdocs from Germany at a nearby university stopped by my office to talk about American literature. As they sat down and I commented on how quiet things were on the day before Thanksgiving, one muttered, "Yes, we call it American Genocide Day."

Such episodes reveal the argumentative hazards of the Assumption. Apart from the ill-mannered righteousness, academics with too much confidence in their audience utter debatable propositions as received wisdom. An assertion of the genocidal motives of early English settlers is put forward not for discussion but for approval. If the audience shares the belief, all is well and good. But a lone dissenter disrupts the process and, merely by posing a question, can show just how cheap such a pat consensus actually is.

After Nixon crushed McGovern in the 1972 election, the film critic Pauline Kael made a remark that has become a touchstone among conservatives. "I don't know how Richard Nixon could have won," she marveled. "I don't know anybody who voted for him." While the second sentence indicates the sheltered habitat of the Manhattan intellectual, the first signifies what social scientists call the False Consensus Effect. That effect occurs when people think that the collective opinion of their own group matches that of the larger population. If the members of a group reach a consensus and rarely encounter those who dispute it, they tend to believe that everybody thinks the same way.

The tendency applies to professors, especially in humanities departments, but with a twist. Although a liberal consensus reigns within, academics have an acute sense of how much their views clash with the majority of Americans. Some take pride in a posture of dissent and find noble precursors in civil rights, Students for a Democratic Society, and other such movements. But dissent from the mainstream has limited charms, especially after 24 years of center-right rule in Washington. Liberal professors want to be adversarial, but are tired of seclusion. Thus, many academics find a solution in a limited version of the False Consensus that says liberal belief reigns among intellectuals everywhere.

Such a consensus applies only to the thinking classes, union supporters, minority-group activists, and environmentalists against corporate powers. Professors cannot conceive that any person trained in critical thinking could listen to George W. Bush speak and still vote Republican. They do acknowledge one setting in which right-wing intellectual work happensnamely, the think tanksbut add that the labor there is patently corrupt. The Heritage Foundation, the American Enterprise Institute, the Manhattan Institute, and the Hoover Institution all have corporate sponsors, they note, and fellows in residence do their bidding. Hence, references to "right-wing think tanks" are always accompanied by the qualifier "well-funded."

The dangers of aligning liberalism with higher thought are obvious. When a Duke University philosophy professor implied last February that conservatives tend toward stupidity, he confirmed the public opinion of academics as a self-regarding elite -- regardless of whether or not he was joking, as he later said that he was. When laymen scan course syllabi or search the shelves of college bookstores and find only a few volumes of traditionalist argument amid the thickets of leftist critique, they wonder whether students ever enjoy a fruitful encounter with conservative thought. When a conference panel is convened or a collection is published on a controversial subject, and all the participants and contributors stand on one side of the issue, the tendentiousness is striking to everyone except those involved. The False Consensus does its work, but has an opposite effect. Instead of uniting academics with a broader public, it isolates them as a ritualized club.

The final social pattern is the Law of Group Polarization. That lawas Cass R. Sunstein, a professor of political science and of jurisprudence at the University of Chicago, has describedpredicts that when like-minded people deliberate as an organized group, the general opinion shifts toward extreme versions of their common beliefs. In a product-liability trial, for example, if nine jurors believe the manufacturer is somewhat guilty and three believe it is entirely guilty, the latter will draw the former toward a larger award than the nine would allow on their own. If people who object in varying degrees to the war in Iraq convene to debate methods of protest, all will emerge from the discussion more resolved against the war.

Group Polarization happens so smoothly on campuses that those involved lose all sense of the range of legitimate opinion. A librarian at Ohio State University who announces, "White Americans pay too little attention to the benefits their skin color gives them, and opening their eyes to their privileged status is a valid part of a college education" (The Chronicle, August 6) seems to have no idea how extreme his vision sounds to many ears. Deliberations among groups are just as prone to tone deafness. The annual resolutions of the Modern Language Association's Delegate Assembly, for example, ring with indignation over practices that enjoy popular acceptance. Last year, charging that in wartime, governments use language to "misrepresent policies" and "stigmatize dissent," one resolution urged faculty members to conduct "critical analysis of war talk ... as appropriate, in classrooms." However high-minded the delegates felt as they tallied the vote, which passed 122 to 8 without discussion, to outsiders the resolution seemed merely a license for more proselytizing.

The problem is that the simple trappings of deliberation make academics think that they've reached an opinion through reasoned debate -- instead of, in part, through an irrational social dynamic. The opinion takes on the status of a norm. Extreme views appear to be logical extensions of principles that everyone more or less shares, and extremists gain a larger influence than their numbers merit. If participants left the enclave, their beliefs would moderate, and they would be more open to the beliefs of others. But with the conferences, quarterlies, and committee meetings suffused with extreme positions, they're stuck with abiding by the convictions of their most passionate brethren.

As things stand, such behaviors shift in a left direction, but they could just as well move right if conservatives had the extent of control that liberals do now. The phenomenon that I have described is not so much a political matter as a social dynamic; any political position that dominates an institution without dissent deterioriates into smugness, complacency, and blindness. The solution is an intellectual climate in which the worst tendencies of group psychology are neutralized.

That doesn't mean establishing affirmative action for conservative scholars or encouraging greater market forces in education -- which violate conservative values as much as they do liberal values. Rather, it calls for academics to recognize that a one-party campus is bad for the intellectual health of everyone. Groupthink is an anti-intellectual condition, ironically seductive in that the more one feels at ease with compatriots, the more one's mind narrows. The great liberal John Stuart Mill identified its insulating effect as a failure of imagination: "They have never thrown themselves into the mental condition of those who think differently from them." With adversaries so few and opposing ideas so disposable, a reverse advantage sets in. The majority expands its power throughout the institution, but its thinking grows routine and parochial. The minority is excluded, but its thinking is tested and toughened. Being the lone dissenter in a colloquy, one learns to acquire sure facts, crisp arguments, and a thick skin.

But we can't open the university to conservative ideas and persons by outside command. That would poison the atmosphere and jeopardize the ideals of free inquiry. Leftist bias evolved within the protocols of academic practice (though not without intimidation), and conservative challenges should evolve in the same way. There are no administrative or professional reasons to bring conservatism into academe, to be sure, but there are good intellectual and social reasons for doing so.

Those reasons are, in brief: One, a wider spectrum of opinion accords with the claims of diversity. Two, facing real antagonists strengthens one's own position. Three, to earn a public role in American society, professors must engage the full range of public opinion.

Finally, to create a livelier climate on the campus, professors must end the routine setups that pass for dialogue. Panels on issues like Iraq, racism, imperialism, and terrorism that stack the dais provide lots of passion, but little excitement. Syllabi that include the same roster of voices make learning ever more desultory. Add a few rightists, and the debate picks up. Perhaps that is the most persuasive internal case for infusing conservatism into academic discourse and activities. Without genuine dissent in the classroom and the committee room, academic life is simply boring.

Mark Bauerlein is a professor of English at Emory University and director of research at the National Endowment for the Arts.

Just watched Brokeback

Weekends never seem to last long enough. There will be very few breaks for me for the next two years because of my new Masters program. So I never seem to choose the right movies to watch. Now I am watching Harold and Kumar go to White Castle. I already know it is funny, nothing to worry about. Before this we were watching Brokeback Mountain. I didn't know that it would be that bad of a love story. The movie wasn't unbarable or anything. It was just that a few times you sit back and think, "What the hell happened here?"

Okay, the first sex/rape scene, I did not see that coming. There was no romantic build up. There was nothing. Just a couple of sheep hearders going about thier buisness. It looks like one of them accidently grabs the other in his sleep. I thought that the Heath Ledger character was going to kick his ass, but instead he does something else with it. That seems to be consistant. Heath Ledger just looks like he's pissed off through the whole movie. There is a definite look of disgust on his face that makes the movie kind of amusing.

I think the only reason this movie would ever get any awards is because of the agenda it has. You don't have to see the movie to really figure that out though. Most people I know have not seen it regardless of how much hype it created. It really didn't show at that many movie theaters either when it came out. Anyway, the hype it created was the only reason I bothered to see it in the first place . It just isn't a very good love story, or more of not a very convincing one. Its the second movie I've seen with a gay love story. I kind of knew from the first that I wouldn't really be thrilled about it. Maybe its part of being a conservative Catholic. Oh well, I won't worry too much about it. I'm tired.

You have to see this!

Okay, I posted about Miami before...

You have to read this article!

One example of the craziness that is Miami. It will make you laugh:)

Happy Thanksgiving

Late Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! I am down in Texas for the time being. My parents moved to a new small East Texas town that I must see and do other such things. It is good to have this small break. It is about to be quite busy. I will be starting graduate school at the first of December and working fulltime. For some reason I think I will be much more successful with this schedule though. So, not much to write about at this point. I am alive and well. I just had a cancer scare, but found out that it isn't cancer at this point at least. Just found that out the day before yesterday. It gives me something to be thankful for at least. Well, I shouldn't keep myself on the computer for too long. I never see my parents. Till next time....

A message from the soldiers in Iraq

Happy Halloween

Piercings

Did you know that there is an infection that can occur from a naval piercing that can cause heart failure? Look it up. I've had a few piercings and have taken them out before I got married. I went to the doctor the other day and he noticed a couple of my healed piercing scars and had to tell me all about the dangers of piercings. I have to admit I have no urge towards it anymore. I don't even wear earings anymore. Another story he told me was about a girl who had a nipple piercing and two weeks later removed it. She had an abscest grow in her breast that had to be removed. He relized while removing it that the abscest ended up replacing her entire breast and she really only had the outer skin left. She had to have it rebuilt. People should know that they can be extremely dangerous sometimes. I just read a short article(it is somewhere on that page) about a girl who had to have heart surgery from having a piercing. Luckily I have had no such problems. I just notice when you look up piercings there are mostly positive articles about it. People should be warned that there are major risks for something that is mostly just a fashion accesory.

Thoughts on upcoming election

Elections are on my mind, and it is interesting the amount of political advertising you see in our area. I guess that is the plus of living in a swing state. I have to say that on the side of political advertising, the democrats are winning. I see so much on the democrats it makes me sick. I think I'm going to vote straight ticket republican ticket just because how sick of them I am. Well, I was going to anyway.

Of course, I do worry about how republicans will fare in our area. I live in the congressional district of Mark Foley.... Yes, the same guy that was caught in this gay sex scandal of sorts. I had no clue who would be there to replace him till I looked it up online. Joe Negron is the man if anyone is interested. I think that most people that come to this blog are no where near where I live though. I wonder if those in other parts of the country are noticing the lack of republican advertising. Is it just because I am moving from a dominant Republican state to a swing state? I do not know.

Watching a few commercials have proved to me that it appears that the popularity of the Iraq war is waning. I was just wondering, how many Americans think it would be a good idea to pull out right now? Now I was not a big fan of the war at first, but from studying history you would have to be an idiot to think that it is a good idea to pull out now. We aren't loosing anything. We knew that it would be a long term thing. Also pulling out would create problems like there were in Afghanistan before. We have already trained them, they would start hating us for leaving and then the terrorism would grow much more popular in the area. Does that sound about right to you?

I listen to the news and to the adds and I think the country has about lost their minds. The news are writing opinion articles for news and the political adds are all saying PULL OUT NOW, PULL OUT NOW! Or there is also the case that the news prints opinion as news on Iraq. War is not a pleasant thing, but it is necessary for security. It is as simple as that, and do we really want to have the appearance of being so fickle? This seems to be the key issue that all are focusing on for this election and it is retarded to do so.

Other than that there is a focus on Bush's leadership skills. Do you really think our president is that dumb? I remember this guy on the news talking about the books that President Bush was reading at the time. He was reading Shakepeare at the time. The news guy commented on how our president discovered Shakespeare. Are you retarded? Do you seriously think that a Ivy league graduate would be just discovering Shakespeare in his 50s. I think he has thought to read it before in his life. My point is, if you are intelligent you can see how manipulative the news is. I guess I'm doing exactly what liberals usually do. They claim that only those with intelligence would vote democratic. It seems to be working for them so far. I think it is about time to turn it around on them. I personally think that if the regular person paid attention to the issues and voted the issues, that they would see themselves to be more conservative. I discovered that of myself, and I use to be a liberal. Republicans are not deceptive, they are not running the stupid and there is no reason to fear speaking out about something other than the popular opinion of the democratic party.

Like I said at the first of the post, elections are on my mind and I am sick of the democrats. I went from being a liberal democrat, to independent who was embarrassed of saying anything of my political opinions, to a definite conservative republican. I had help along the way, but I will say definitely that the democrats are brainwashed. I am not. Flame if you want, I won't pay attention to it unless you can actually post a comment to convince me of something. If you don't know who I am, I have done plenty of research to come to my current political beliefs. Right now, I'll be surprised if anyone comments though. I can't help but post my political thoughts every once and awhile. What else is there to write on at this time of the year?

Its morning and I'm tired

I hate waking up this early. It seems that it is my curse though. I'm not a morning person, so every job I've had demands that I get up before everyone else. I have to be at work at 7am. Its better than 4am. I had to get up at that time for United. I just simply do not understand the work schedule that I do. For one, I am doing 9 to 10 hours of work a day rather than the tpical 8 hours. What is the reason? I'm not paid outstandingly for it. The work amuses me. But why go past the typical work day?

I was talking with Arthur about it. He did a 7 to 3 work schedule before, and he enjoyed that schedule. I would enjoy that schedule too. Do you know that the typical work day was 9 to 5? I never knew that. I always thought it was 8 to 5. I guess some places just demand longer. Lunch counts for nothing. Nothing to quit your job over. What does it matter. The place does it to keep up with compatition. I just hope we don't end up like the Japanese and killing ourselves early from so much work. Ah... Oh well, it will happen anyway.

I've wasted enough time. Now I have to go. Just wanted to get something up. I noticed I only posted once last month. September went by in a flash. I expect the same of October. Well, that is it for now. I have to go to work. Can't be late.

At the beach close to home

I found something that lets me put up video finally. Art and I were at the beach right before sundown. There will more than likely be nothing up unless it is taken by the phone. The camera is still missing. Not much going on and I'm already tired. Maybe I'll have more up next time.

What I want to be when I grow up

When looking for a job in the past I had a tendency to look too much into what I wanted to be later on in life. It took me awhile to relize that I should just go for whatever the hell I can get... minus Job Coach. I don't want to do that again. I feel like I've been constantly looking for work for the past year. Its not that I've been unemployed that whole time either. I've been told I'm the expert in the family on looking for jobs. That is what I spend my spare time doing, filling out job applications and writing cover letters. I've been to about seven job interviews in the past few weeks as well. I do have a job set up to where I only have a week off from the one I just quit and then I start again at a new place. Of course, I did this again because I moved to a new area... I'm not close enoough to Miami to work there. I still have this part of me that wants to be somewhat involved with "what I want to be when I grow up" sort of thing. That was why I worked for United Airlines for awhile. Anyway, at the same time there hasn't been one area specifically that I wanted to go into when I grow up. I'll give you an example:

1. Professor/Teacher- This is what my parents do and this is what most people know what I want to do. I've always thought I was a natural at teaching. I do well at job interviews where the position requires something to do with teaching as well. There are a couple of things keeping me from any such position, an upper level degree or a teaching certificate. I'm still attempting to get into a Master's program. I'll see how that works.

2. FBI/ Federal Agent- Okay, this one is a little sillier because I first wanted to go into doing this from growing up watching X-Files. I was a little too obsessed with that show. Still, I have attempted to get federal jobs. I don't think it will work. Well, they require good credit and to be in some sort of shape... Yep, like I said, I don't think its going to work out.

3. Pilot- I think this is one of the most far fetched one of them all. That is why I went into working at United Airlines, at least I had the opportunity to fly alot. I think I would also need that surgery to correct my vision or something to be a pilot. I don't know. I really gave up on that one a long time ago.

4. Astronaunt- This is the most far fetched one of them all. But now you see why I wanted to be a pilot? I loved astronomy. I wanted to have some opportunity to go into space. Hey, it could happen. Millionares can do it now. So that is all I need, to become a multi-millionare.

5. Virologist- Once upon a time I was a biology major and this was why. I wanted to study viruses. I still think they are fasinating, but I discovered that chemistry is hard. So that dream has dies. I don't put this one as far fetched though. I keep thinking that if I try one more time that I could pass chemistry.... I just would just need to go back to college. Maybe later.

6. Political Cartoonist- Still a possibility, I think I just have the problem of not being original enough. I can draw, but no ideas. That is why I post others political cartoons. Granted that I think most political cartoonists are unoriginal and liberal assholes, but I couldn't follow that model. It just wouldn't be right.

I think that is enough for now. But I have a question, who actually thinks that they want to be a clerical worker or an HR assistant when they grow up? I personally am a little biased against HR at this point. I think HR is a nonsense position. I would think that most people would want more interesting positions. But more than likely, I will be an administrative assistant soon enough. Not HR, they actually have a degree for that. Have you ever heard of anything more bullsh*$t than an HR degree?

Dear Diary

I have kept diaries since I was in middle school. At least I have on and off. I have always enjoyed the act of journaling and I treat it like an old friend. I recently came across one of my oldest diaries. I let my husband read it. What did it really matter, it is the thoughts and actions of a 14 to 15 year old girl, or maybe I was 16. I don't really remember. He really gets into reading those things, like he loves studying me. Now I see one of consequences from doing such a thing. I picked up a new diary. A leather bound book of blank pages, I love them. I couldn't help it. I came home and started writing in it. My journaling had stopped with the blog and I need to start that again. I mean it's not like I can really do the same thing online. You can't really share your heart and your raw emotion to anyone who could possibly want to simply stop by your web page. After I finished writing he looked over and asked if I wrote how I was sorry for not writing to the diary before because I hadn't purchased it before now. Yes, that sounds about what I would usually do. Hey, like I said I write to them as an old friend. I've read diaries where the person writes simple and basic info of their day. That is so boring! I can't take that. One thing that I love more than anything else is letters. I love reading old letters and such. Sometimes I miss the fact the act of letter writing is more or less dead, taken out by email. I write the diary like a letter. I think it makes it so much more interesting when you look back. Maybe that is why Arthur was drawn in? I don't know. Hmm.... I just know I must sleep. Diary and then blog is a little much, but on the weekend I have time. What can I say? Laters.

Moving as a pack rat

When I finally get unpacked I will be extremely happy. Part of me wonders when the hell that could possibly happen at this point. We moved as I wrote in my last post. The movers were assholes and were not very good with my stuff. For instance, the grand piano... My most precious possession, is unplayable. I'm not sure when we will be able to get someone out here to make it playable again. It is painful seeing it like that. They put the thing together without me being in the room. So I was extremely pissed. I was getting ready for a job interview and my husband was the first one to notice there was something wrong with the keys. They won't go down. So it makes it difficult to play it. I yelled at the movers as I left to not touch another damned thing as I walked out the door, and that is what they did. The furniture is together, but everything else is in boxes.

This is not my first time to move. I've understood how painful it is for me to move from my previous moves within Texas: Terrill to Paris, moves within Paris, Paris to Amarillo, moves within Amarillo, Amarillo to San Marcos, San Marcos to Brenham, Brenham back to San Marcos, San Marcos to San Antonio and now finally down here to the treasure coast of Florida... I think that is what it is called. Most of those moves are from the point I started college to this point, and I think some of my boxes have not been unpacked since highschool. That is the main reason I say "painful" in describing moving, I am a pack rat. I keep everything, and I think I feel it more in this move than any other. I finally have decided, why do I need a full collection of RL Stine Fear Street books from when I was in elementary school? That is just one example. Then there are the ones that I keep questioning "what the hell do I do with them", but I can't get myself to thow them away. I have college newspapers from when I was an editor. I have trophies from playing soccer in elementary school (I threw them away because they were destroyed anyway). I start to argue with myself about these possessions. What if I want them in the future for some reason? Am I hurting myself by throwing them away? Yes, I start the process of putting them in give away boxes, and then question if they will ever leave my living room floor.... I get attached to possessions too much. It is a problem.

So we will see how long the place will remain in this state. Our main stuff is unpacked right now. I just wonder if there is room for all my junk. I may need Art's assistance in throwing things away. Yes, it can be painful to go through this process. Well, now I must get ready for work. I will write later.