root of all evil : Life

Memories

root — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 07:38:00 GMT

This post's music is sponsored by the Song and Lyrics thread. Let me paint you a picture. We are sitting at Jakes , a burger joint that has a wicked patio deck out back. It's a random Wednesday night. A live band is playing--called the Donkey Group. Three...(read more)

Burning the candle

root — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:02:00 GMT

Ever heard of the phrase "burning the candle at both ends"? I find myself doing this more and more often. With work overtaking my life (60+ hours a week and the word weekend becoming laughable now), I find less and less time to do anything that I want...(read more)

Nel vino la verità

root — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 03:14:00 GMT

When we have a family gathering, two things almost always eventually happen:

Wine bottles get uncorked
Politics gets involved

First off, don't try this at home. My family is sadistic like this, but in all fairness some great conversations have come out of these. The most recent such event happened yesterday at my cousin's birthday party (he turned 11). Mom is a strong believer in the Democratic party, in voting, and doing her civic duty.

(A little background: She has been a High School counselor for umpteen years (you didn't hear me say that) and always puts health care/education as a priority).

Mom, meet root.

Root doesn't believe in voting.

Oh dear.

Safe to say our conversation was interesting. She got very frustrated with me, almost to the point of being angry. I laughed.

So here is a 10 thousand foot view of our debate.

My points:

First, my vote doesn't count. Historically, we've seen cases where electoral votes were put towards a different candidate than what the population voted for. All a moot point to begin with. It was done this way because our founding father's thought the general populus were idoits and educated people should make the decision (I tend to agree with them, even in this day in age).
Second, by the time politicians get to the office, they already owe X amount of people favors which will affect their decision making. The system is broken. Like the politicians, the people that hold the electoral votes can be swayed as well. I will not choose the "lesser" of two evils... not that I can (see point 1)
Third (in answer to Mom's rebuttal of "the way to fix the system is to vote") the only way to fix the system is if I (root) got into politics myself and attempted to fix it from the inside. This would require me quitting my job and dedicating many years to a cause that I don't feel strongly enough to fix in the first place.
Fourth (In response to Bush started a "freaking war" based on a lie, that lesser of two evils is better than nothing), I don't know what Bush had in front of him at the time of his decision to go to war. You can tell me that everything points to there not being WMD but we (general public) don't know that for a FACT. It very well could have been there and then it was moved... Bush could have been acting on the information HE HAD AT HAND. This is all pure speculation, of course. He very well could have lied for his own personal vendetta, or because he holds some stake in the oil. I'm not saying one way or the other because I wasn't there. The bottom line is, I'm not in his shoes and will never be since our government doesn't disclose every little detail they give to the President (for good reasons).
Fifth, last but certainly not least: It's pointless for people to vote just because it's the right thing to do. I can almost guarantee you that the majority of the people in this country don't know our candidate's platforms. People aren't educated on it but vote anyways. Since I don't believe in the system, I'm not going to vote. I'm ignorant of our politics/platforms because I don't believe in it.

This was about 3 hours worth of debating (for me to get my point across). Then she said "But what if everyone thought the way you did?"

My answer: "If common sense was so common, there'd be a heck of a lot more smarter people in this world. Thank God for stupid people."

(Extremely frustrated at this point) "But if they DID all think like you? There wouldn't be a government!"

My answer: "No... I'd be President."

By this time we have a small audience (few are brave enough to confront my mother when it comes to politics) and my Uncle so devilishly decides to chime in "You have my vote."

The moral of the story, my dearest users: "Nel vino la verità". It's an Italian Proverb which roughly translates to "In wine is truth".

I should be President.

Update: Projects|Life|Shows

root — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 06:14:00 GMT

Some music while you read:

James Blunt and Rap. Yup. That's my eccentric tastes for ya.

So as you may have noticed, this isn't episode 5. That time of year. Christmas, work, family troubles, and A Partridge in a Pear Tree. Good news? The man Pages got a little jump start. Going over the details with the new team. Hopefully we can see something out, officially, by February.

"Did you say February?"

I'm a pessimistic, damnit.

Computer Tree looks like a big hit. Just not enough nominations! But don't worry, if you offered a donation we will end up using it. Just maybe not in time for the holidays. At the time of this posting, we have 2 nominations and 65 computers (laughs). Well, OK, 15 computers. I had to turn down the 50 Dell's. Not enough money to get them shipped, no place to put them, and no one to donate to.

But this leads me to the Big Pictures for Computer Tree. This thought is by no means solely mine, it's been forming in the background by a number of us. It's looking like this could be not just a holiday thing but any day. Have a nomination? We will look into helping your needed friend/family/co-worker/community member/adopted purple alien. Obviously we don't have the money to get everything shipped... nor the man power to get it filtered.

Yet.

Logistics of this is pretty impressive when you actually face them. Also kinda... neat? Perhaps it's the sadistic side of me that enjoys this. But I'll claim it's the puzzle-solving side of me.

Well, it's not at its full potential yet, but it will get there.

Projects... is that everything? Oh, The Source. And Google Workshop. Ep5 will be out probably next weekend. Crunch time at work to get a project done this week. And last weekend wasn't a good one for me. Next weekend might be busy as well but I should be able to get it in Sunday (here's hoping). Google Workshop... maybe on Christmas break. Not that I have one. I picked the short straw and I'm Primary On Call all that week (and the weekend before it). And you wonder why I'm sadistic.

I LOVE this time of year (and yes, I'm hitting that sarcastic button like the good button masher I am)

Speaking of love. Looks like a lot of shows are wrapping up or just starting. My top 2 shows I've really gotten into this year is Dexter and Journeyman. Obviously two really different shows, but I love them. Journeyman I'm a bit worried. It's an AWESOME show that everyone should watch... but NBC doesn't seem to think so. They passed on the option period to pick it up for a second season. Perhaps another station will pick it up? If you haven't heard about it, or watched it, get into it! Now! Hack, steal, buy, whatever you have to do, watch it. By 3rd episode I promise you will be hooked.If not, watch 3 more *grin*.

Think a modern day Quantum Leap with a twist... or three.

And Dexter... well if you don't have Showtime, then you might not know what it's about. If you can get past the sickening part of it all, it's a hilarious show. Granted I have a habit of loving dark humor. Cold Blooded was one of my top movies of all time. Hmmm, and Dead Like Me. Anyways, Dexter is a serial killer who has to kill, but he only kills bad guys. So if you liked the anime Death Note, you will LOVE this show. You will find yourself rooting for the bad guy. And his view on life is just plain funny.

As for the show that my avatar is based off of, The Avatar, it hasn't been the best season. But definitely not horrible. Good news? Chuck and Life got a second season pick up! So I'm not that PO'ed at NBC. They at least did 2 things right. I just can't wait until Burn Notice comes back. But will the WGA strike effect them? argh.

After writing this post, I've come to two conclusions.

1) My tastes are varied by extreams

2) I watch too much TV

So I will try and save myself by ending this with the new official trailer to The Dark Knight.

You know.

Because that's not TV.

c**p.

Until Life settles down,

Root's Words of Wisdom: The Code

root — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 03:19:00 GMT

The code I live by:

Live with no regrets.
Feel the fear, then do it.
Past is past, learn from it and live in the now.
Speak your mind, but don't forget karma
Black and white is rare. Gray is life.
Do the best you can with what you have at hand (see rule 1)
The best lie is laced with truth
Protect those you love (see rule 7 and 1)
Even something as thin as paper has two sides to it.
"I'd be happy to" will get you far at work.

Feel free to add your own code.

Till next time users,