Tyas Frantz

Stress

2011-02-19T22:35:00.000-08:00

Stress......It’s directly proportional to my age.

Age......directly proportional to my appearance.

Appearance......directly proportional to my diet.

Diet......directly proportional to my finances.

Finances......directly proportional to my carrier.

Carrier......directly proportional to my time.

Time......directly proportional to my freedom.

Freedom......directly proportional to my stress.

Stress......

Productivity

2009-09-08T01:01:00.001-07:00

Today was different then normal. I got in an argument with someone late last night and desperately wanted my mind to stay focused on the positive rather then dwell on the recent negative.

I got home and began tearing my room apart. Not in the same way that an adolescent teen would tear their room apart. I cleared the counter tops. I did the laundry. I cleaned like it was going out of style.

I did all this while I was listening to audiobooks on the topic of productivity. The combination of mental stimulation and simple manual labor was somehow invigorating. I found myself working at a pace that could only be described as a cardiovascular demonstration. I was loving it.

It was amazing. Normally the best part of my day is when I meet with people. Today my meetings with people forced me to slow down and broke my momentum. I emptied my head of all of its to do items. I learned and accomplished. Time wasn’t waisted. I’m in love with this way of living. I can’t wait to get up tomorrow and just accomplish more.

Speed isn't everything

2009-08-26T01:29:00.001-07:00

I went for a run today and failed. I planned to run 3 miles which is a distance I have done many times before. I began running and after a mile I had to transition my run into intervals of running and walking. I was surprised to find out that my time was only slightly shorter for the run then when I didn’t do intervals. Sometimes it more important that I simply don’t stop rather then how fast I go.

Glamorous and glitzy

2009-08-25T02:27:00.001-07:00

Most people think that show business is glamorous and glitzy. As I show up at the theater and begin getting ready to perform, I am forced to confront how wrong those people are. It starts by putting all your, energy, money, and time into your art. Much more gets put in then you could ever make.

Next I have to prepare for a show by gather music, creating cue sheets, collecting props, costumes, & tools. I get my camcorder and tape. I have to make sure to bring fresh batteries and my microphone.

I show up at the theater long before any one else is there. I have to make several trips from my car to the theater in order to haul everything. I set up and plug my microphone in the sound board. I pass out cue sheets to all the technicians, in hopes that they wont mess up the show. I know full well that if they do mess up the show, the responsibility falls on my shoulders and not on theirs.

I setup the props and the stage. I get into costume & makeup and then I weight. I envision all the things I want to have go write and I dread everything that could go wrong and the audience funnels into their seats. Waiting is just a game of stress.

Finally the show starts and everything goes well. Afterwords, I wait for everyone to leave and I reverse the entire process. It is several hours of setup and tear down. The time on stage is minimal and the audiences are unpredictable. With all that bad stuff, all the things that could go wrong, the sound of applause makes it all worth while.

Time to work

2009-08-23T21:26:00.001-07:00

I had a really hard time on my run today. I paused before I reached a mile and I felt my heart pounding. I ended up walking home. I am sure that I will have to change my training if I intend on completing this marathon. Sometimes the only way to succeed is to change the way you look at things.

Tomorrow night I will have a show in front of a lot of magicians. I don’t have the set figured out yet. I need to burn audio CD’s, write a cue sheet, gather props, and practice. I can’t grow lazy. I need to get this stuff done.

Breaking up is hard to do

2009-08-22T23:46:00.000-07:00

Today I broke up with my girlfriend. It made me feel bad but not that bad. I have been kind and caring, I have been supportive and forgiving. It is always easier to end things when it is the right thing to do. I wonder if I will miss her when I get lonely. I wonder if she will miss me.

I try to improve my relationships and I can’t help but look at breaking up with someone as a step backward. The truth is, that if I am developing my relationships, then getting out of the relationships that are bad for me is apart of that. Sometimes the right thing to do is the hard thing.

I like cheap Mac N Cheese

2009-08-22T00:04:00.001-07:00

I was shopping in the groceries store today and I stopped as I found myself passing by the boxed macaroni and cheese. I liked macaroni and cheese when I was young. Almost everyone I know likes it. The truth is that I haven’t really like mac and cheese since I moved out on my own. Macaroni and cheese brings back good memories from when I was young.

Many of my earliest memories stem from when my family lived in a trailer on an empty plot of land. We weren’t well off, but I didn’t know it. I knew that my rusted bicycle with a twisted frame had been salvaged from a dumpster. I knew that we had to heat water on the stove and then carry it to the bathroom if we wanted to take a warm bath. What I didn’t know was that my families lifestyle was any different to the other kids I went to school with.

I don’t think we ate all that well. Whatever we had, we would eat. Sometimes we would eat food that was long long past its expiration date. I didn’t care. We had no chairs to sit on but It was the company of being with my family that made me happy. I distinctly remember a night where we had split pea soup. It thought split pea soup was awesome. Macaroni and cheese was also one of our families culinary delicacies.

But that’s all history now. Back to the present. I find myself standing in front of all these boxes, brands, and varieties of mac and cheese. I look at all the name brand boxes that I have had in the past. I’ve tried all the best and most expensive ones. Today I decided to stop looking at the good stuff and instead I picked up the generic, cheap, crap brand.

It tasted exactly like the kind I had had when I was a kid. It was wonderful. I am sure it wasn’t the taste but the associations that I had to the last time I had taste it. It was wonderful. It just shows how powerful our memories are. I like to think that I shows how wonderful it was to spend time with my family together. Maybe it means nothing.

Connections

2009-08-18T01:03:00.001-07:00

The Smallest

Scientists cannot accurately measure the smallest particles in existence because it is impossible to measure an object without altering it. The simple act of looking, changes the results of a tests. I wont get into why this happens because its a long story but it’s enough to know that it happens. Why should you care?

It means that everyone who looks upon you has a direct impact on who and what you are. Maybe more importantly, it means that every life that you enter and ever person you look upon changes the world.

The Largest

The largest organisms in the world is a forest in aspen. Everyone thought that it was just a bunch of trees. It looked like each tree was alone to itself. Scientists tested the genetics of the trees and found them all to be identical. They discovered that all the trees are one large organism that connect together by one giant root system.

I wonder if we are no different from those trees. Existing above ground on our own while really relying on each other for support. All connects and inevitably the same as each other. Maybe that is why it is so easy to effect each other.

2009-03-09T14:21:00.001-07:00

Driving home from Ok. Already passed threw Tx. I'm in Nm. A couple more states to go.

2009-02-15T23:02:00.001-08:00

Hanging out in the hot tub with friends. It's a nice way to spend an evening.

2009-01-07T03:43:00.001-08:00

Just got back from seeing the movie "Yes Man." It was a cute, feel good, kind of movie.

2009-01-05T21:25:00.001-08:00

Today I shopped with a man who had more then a billion dollars to his name. What a nice way to shop.

2009-01-05T02:28:00.001-08:00

It's time for me to combine all the crazy stuff in my 5 todo lists into one big one. I'm a little overwhelmed.

2009-01-04T17:15:00.001-08:00

Paying bills and lamenting over opportunities that I am missing.

2009-01-03T18:29:00.001-08:00

I an now forced to take action not by inspiration but by exhaustion.

Atheism vs Theism

2008-11-30T03:21:00.001-08:00

When I am asked about my religious beliefs I tell people that I’m an atheist. They usually experience a brief moment of surprise, look me over as if to assess something, and them change the subject. Occasionally they will engage me in conversation about a god but it rarely ends well.

I will often be asked why I believe that their is no god. Their question implies that atheism is about belief. An atheist is defined by a lack of belief in god. Atheists may very well believe that there is no god but holding that belief is not mandatory to being an atheist. Having no belief at all will suffice.

If you hold no beliefs, then you have nothing to prove and nothing to justify. When you hold beliefs, it is a your burden to prove them. If someone tells you that they believe that they can read minds, it is their burden to prove it and not your responsibility to disprove it. Therefor it is not my job to prove that there is no god. It is the responsibility of those who make claims of god to prove it.

I will not go into great detail of the evidence that theists provide for the existence of a god and that is because I have seen no credible evidence.....EVER. Credible evidence is evidence that is repeatable, observable, and verifiable by others. It must be repeatable, or else the evidence could be a coincidence or a statistical anomaly. It must be observable or else who would know that it ever took place. It must be verified by others or anyone could claim anything as science.

I always invite any evidence for the existence of a god and I have received absolutely none that will meet scientific scrutiny. Most people will talk about how god stepped in to help them or a family member in a time of need. Maybe they avoided a disaster. None of these examples can qualify as credible scientific evidence.

I am sure that most people who engage me have good intentions. Sometimes they want to help me join them in some kind of pleasant after life. Some would like to protect me from an eternity of torture and damnation after I die. Others try to assure me that I will be reincarnated. While their intentions may be good, I fear that the outcome of those they convert may cause great harm.

Many religions encourage living life as a way of preparing for what might happen after they die. A life that is dedicated to death is a choice that people are free to make but what if they didn’t waist the one and only life that we know they have. What could someone accomplish if they focused their energy on solving poverty, hunger, or disease. This seems like a great waist of time, energy, and intention.

Why not base your life on things that you know are true. Why not base your life on values such as integrity, honesty and improving the common good.

Art, Happiness, & Reality

2008-04-28T02:52:00.000-07:00

Magic is the music, the imagery, the mystery, and the metaphor. The performance, the fooling, the fantasy, and the comedy are just icing. Sometimes I feel like a comic book artist who has the talent but not the means to paint the next masterpiece. I am the classical composer who has no other tool but a harmonica. The mathematician with no place to put his thoughts.

I’m an actor who wants to inspire with my monologue but is confined to an audience who wants nothing more then stand up comedy. So what do I do? I tell the jokes in hopes of being able to slip something meaningful in between the lines. I reduce myself to something less then what I am in hopes of being able to have nothing more then a chance to grow.

Is it right to dig a hole in an effort to fit in with those around you or should I build my tower so that I may better see the horizon with no one else to share it with. So far I do all that I can to grow people with me but it feels like their collective weight is a powerful anchor that holds me in place and occasionally pulls me deeper under. Where do I go from here? Its getting harder to breath.

My Ideal Girl

2007-07-27T05:10:00.000-07:00

Physical:
Is healthy.
Has no diseases or illnesses.
No genetic disorders or chronic injuries.
No allergies or hearth related vulnerabilities.
Is very strong but appears frail.
Works out regularly.
Is Very active
Takes time to make herself up.
Not to compete with others but to impress me and present and image to further me.
Her looks are an interest to her but her health is top priority.
Skin=Very soft. No veins, pimples warts, or blemishes. Tan threw nationality, not sun damage.
Hair= Long and strait. At least to mid back with red highlights. Worn down mostly. Not poofy or large bangs.
Forehead= Not large or protruding outward
Eye Brows= Shaped and maintained. Not bushy.
Eyes= Green or Blue. Full Lashes and likes to have eye liner on.
Ears= Not large. Tucked down to the sides of her head.
Nose= Strait and small.
Mouth= Full pouting lips.
Cheeks= High cheek bones. Rosy cheeks.
Teeth= Strait and White. No braces, retainers, or noticeable blemishes.
Chin= Small. No dimple. No Double chin.
Face= Symmetrical. No blemishes. Round Shape. No hair or peach fuzz.
Neck= Not Veiny. Not to long and not to short. About 3 inches is ideal.
Collar= Bone not sticking out but still present.
Shoulders= Not broad, firm but not muscular.
Arms= Very Slender.
Hands= Soft and frail. Slender Fingers. Well manicured nails.
Back= Soft skin, with firm muscles underneath. Not muscular.
Chest= C cups. Small firm nipples. Small areolas. Perky.
Abdominal= Very tight. Just before a six pack.
Hips= Rounded and brought out from her waist.
Butt= Round and firm. Heart shaped. No sag at all. No loose fat.
Groin= Small labia, No pubic hair. No pubic mound. 3.6 PH. Small clit.
Thighs= Narrow toward the top. Very firm. Smooth, shaved, soft. Small and thin.
Calfs= Small, shaved, firm. Not Muscular.
Ankles= Thin
Feet= Not veiny. Small. Pedicured toes. No corns or bunions.

Emotional
Is very secure with herself and her own self image. Is comfortable with her body. Does not overanalyze situations and doesn’t ignore a situation either. Is not shy. She sets goals on a regular basis. Her accomplishments are important to her and she believes that as they compound she will be able to accomplish great things. She believes people can change the world. She enjoys expanding her mind and contributing to others. She does her best to make those around her comfortable.

Relationships
Maintains a strong relationship with her family, but does not live close to them. Speaks proudly and openly with them about her life. Respects their feelings. Has separated parents who are not controlling and one younger sister. Her family is healthy and active. Her sister is an over achiever.
She wants children but wants to wait until she is accomplished and has fulfilled her goals.
She is a spiritual person but believes that it is more about a firm relationship with herself then it is with some god creature. She is open to ideas of faith but always maintains her spiritual routes in logic.
Her friends are incredibly loyal and she is very loyal to them. She doesn’t require of them and they don’t require of her. But they take care of each other when in need.
Her intimate relationship is of greatest importance to her. She is willing to give her time, energy and love. She never questions the relationship or threatens to end it. She wants and always excepts positive attention but does not require it. She reinterprets negative attention to ask what else it could mean. She is absolutely faithful and never implies other wise. She is open to new experimentation in the relationship but not dependent on it.

Financial
Is born into a wealthy family. Used to money, understands it, and how to use it. Does not want a relationship for money or possessions. Is already financially secure. Invests. Is not afraid to spend money on a purpose or give money to those in need. Enjoys charity. Has goals and intentions for her finances. Is not interested in name brands or spending absurd amounts for image. Enjoys value but has her sights set at higher goals then simply finances.

101 Things about me

2007-07-27T05:07:00.001-07:00

• My name is Tyas Frantz
• I was born in Freemont, CA 1982
• One sister is named Jade
• My parents have always been separate but divorced when I was 18 years old.
• I’m 5’8” but I say I am 5’9” because I think its more appealing.
• I shaved my head because I couldn’t afford a hair cut. The look stuck so far.
• My eyes are green but some say they change colors.
• I am very coordinated.
• I like to sit in the emergency exit seat on air planes.
• I focus on four elements of life. Physical, Emotional, Relationships, Financial.
• I don’t watch television.
• Sex, sexuality, and gender issues do not embarrass me.
• I give people three strikes.
• Personal hygiene is important to me and it should be to you too.
• I’m a bit of a showoff.
• I am not a believer in the current educational process.
• I don’t get jealous.
• No where do I feel better then when I am on stage.
• I work out…a lot.
• I like the director commentary on DVDs.
• My career and art is my number one concern.
• I like to keep things organized. It doesn’t always work.
• I roll all my coins.
• I have a lot of notepads but prefer to write on computers.
• I am a poor spelling but a wiz with spell check.
• I’ve read all the Harry Potter books. Skydiving was better.
• I don’t really understand art.
• I prefer digital watches that have interesting features and large displays.
• I love palm pilots.
• No sunlight gets in my room. Sometimes I like that and sometimes I don’t.
• I like to eat out. I don’t eat fast food.
• I consider myself to be an expert at deception but never for bad purposes.
• I don’t understand how tennis is scored.
• I have six surge protectors in a three-foot area under my desk.
• I get angry at people who litter.
• I think my friends would die for me. I would die for them.
• I’m not afraid of dying.
• I could make most believe that I am god with my hands and a coin.
• I am a believer in patchwork economics.
• I love it when people know me and I don’t know them. It makes me feel famous.
• I like cold days more then hot ones.
• Once a year I get emotionally hurt. Its when I need others the most.
• I’m afraid of needles.
• I don’t think pink is the “in” color for guys.
• If I don’t understand something, I’ll act like I do and hope that I’ll catch on.
• I donate to charity.
• I admire most people I know for one thing or another.
• I never have sex, the first time she wants to.
• I have been in love a few times. It doesn’t go away. I like that about it.
• I am very comfortable in my own skin.
• I exaggerate my accomplishments to make myself sound more successful.
• I have a huge DVD collection.
• I believe that anything can be learned.
• I miss the ocean.
• I tell jokes as if they happened to me so that it sounds more personal.
• I wish I had invented Velcro, Unicycles, and Myspace.
• I think Eminem is a great writers but I don’t care for rap that much.
• I am very grateful for the skills I have.
• I almost always have something in my hands. When I don’t, I bite my lip.
• Breast size doesn’t matter to me.
• I have never tasted alcohol, never smoked anything. I do no drugs.
• I am not superstitious.
• I am dependent on the internet.
• I don’t think that cruelty or people’s misfortune is funny.
• I’m not afraid of heights.
• Honey bunches of Oats is my favorite cereal.
• I have done many bad things but now hold myself to the highest ethical standards.
• I’m an atheist but hope I am wrong.
• I don’t think I have any birthmarks.
• History is not as important to me as the future.
• I’m not claustrophobic.
• I have one of the best memories in the world but hardly ever use the techniques.
• I almost never lie especially to spare someone’s feelings.
• I am quite knowledgeable about technology and media.
• I wish I knew more about music.
• I fix my flaws as soon as I know about them.
• I invest 10f all my income.
• I don’t like asking for help. I would rather read the manual.
• I know what its like to be poor and very hungry.
• I don’t like lotion that is oil based.
• I feel guilty about projects I don’t finish.
• My greatest fear is being forgotten.
• I consider myself a patriot but I don’t support some of our governments decisions.
• I have a ten-year plan.
• I like candles but don’t light them often enough.
• I have very good motor skills.
• I like background noise.
• I love my ceiling fan.
• I am writing this list to distract myself.
• I strongly dislike fat.
• I cook best when it is to show off for others.
• I started in magic because I felt insecure and powerless.
• My hair is brown with quite a bit of gray. But you’ll probably never see it.
• I like people who speak their mind.
• I master new things faster then anyone I know, except languages and instruments.
• I don’t shave as often as I should.
• I never label my burned CDs
• I think eye contact is sexy.
• I respect children as much as I respect elders.
• I’m afraid of having batteries run all the way down.
• I move slowly. I never quit.

To Do List

2007-07-27T05:02:00.001-07:00

1. Perform on Broadway
2. Spend one day on the beach in Fuji and one in Hawaii
3. Make my friends successful
4. Sky Dive
5. Create a successful product
6. Perform a free fall into an airbag
7. Create an original audio CD
8. Jump off a waterfall
9. Write a Book
10. Perform a lecture tour
11. Save a Life
12. Have a successful marriage
13. Be seen on 5 late night talk shows as a featured guest
14. Bungee Jump
15. Get a World Record
16. Be the first magic show to win a Tony
17. Have an aw inspiring body
18. Perform an international tour of my show
19. Appear as the lead in a mayor motion picture
20. Change the education system
21. Spend one week with someone I love and only them
22. Make my family feel like gods
23. Have 9 national network television TV specials
24. Be known as the best in a field
25. Headline in my own Las Vegas Show
26. Write and publish a children’s book
27. Be on the Radio
28. Be weightless
29. Have a child and help him/her be outstanding
30. Be known for my love and kindness
31. Have someone I don’t know write a book about me
32. Perform a huge stage show with only friends in the audience
33. Go Base Jumping
34. Be set on fire without getting burnt
35. Be a mentor
36. Swim the length of the golden gate bridge
37. Design and build a dream home
38. Start a charity
39. Create a painting
40. Spend some time with a dying person to ease their pain

Grandmother Died

2007-07-27T05:01:00.001-07:00

10-15-05
My Grandmother died last night at 9:30pm. My friends and coworkers have been very supportive and caring but in truth nothing feels wrong to me. I am not feeling a painful sense of loss and in a way I feel guilty for not hurting. I should probably explain why.
Ever since I can remember my grandmother hasn’t been present with me. She has suffered from Alzheimer’s disease for the majority of my life. So as my memory of her began to develop her memory was fading. By the time I had a strong memory of her it wasn’t the woman that everyone else had known.

The only things that I know about her are the things that where so fundamentally planted in her character that they never seemed to go away. Things like her ability to dance and entertain. Her desire for order and cleanliness, which often resulted in a vanishing television remote control. Her strength and kindness to those close to her. And the love she shared we that my grandfather that no disease could seem to influence. Perhaps it was their love that kept her around for so long.

My memories of her was more of a comedy of errors. Specifically a time when we where given a tour of a cave. When the tour guild asked if there where any questions grandma replied with “There are a few.” And then remained silent. It wasn’t her fault. She probably had lot of questions. Just had a hard time remembering what they were.
Perhaps it’s cruel for me to find humor in such a crippling disease. But from all I know about her and what others have told me of her, humor is one of the things she understood and would have wanted us to have. For someone like me who had no reference of the woman she was, humor is all I had.

And then one day, a year and a half ago I found something I had never seen before. Slid between the binding of my baby album was a letter. It was written on my first birthday by my grandmother. And for the first time I met her.

Feb 4, 1983
Dear Tyas and Family,
Happy Birthday my most favorite one-year-old grandson. You will get this late because I can’t send it until my new checks arrive so you can have the distinction of getting check ..1 from new checks for your ..1 birthday. The checks are already three weeks late; the excuse they use is the mail is late. But you are such a good boy and such a happy easygoing little fella that I’m sure it won’t bother you in the least. I called you this morning but mommy had just put you to sleep so I talked to Jade, your mommy and your daddy. And your mommy promised to pass on a big hug and kiss to you, and maybe even two of them from grandpa and me.
Jade told me you aren’t even in your crib, but in a bunk bed in her room! When you grow up perhaps you’ll have a little son that will sleep in the same bunk bed your daddy mad for you. I think you are going to grow up to be very strong and very smart and perhaps be able to build furniture for your children just like your talented daddy. In fact I believe you have a lot of smarts already, because you sure do know how to turn on the charm. Last time we saw you at Christmas time you mesmerized both grandpa and me and neither of us can remember even meeting a more charming little fellow. I just wish we lived closer together so we could hug you and Jade everyday for the rest of our lives.

Love to All,
Gram and Grampa

And there it was. Exactly the woman I thought she would be. Caring and kind. I suppose I should feel bitter about missing out on so much time I could have spent with her if it wasn’t for her disease. The truth is, I didn’t need the letter to tell me what kind of woman she was. I have been surrounded by her for my entire life.

There was something unique about the people in my family. Something hard to pinpoint because I had never seen its origin but every family reunion I felt it. I felt an immense amount of kindness and warmth. With the discovery of that letter I now understand.

She effected all those she came in contact with. She gave them part of herself. Maybe the best part. And so in a way she beat the disease. She showed us all who she was by giving herself to those she touched. She transfused herself to those who new her.

Its ok that I am not feeling a painful sense of loss because I have lost nothing. My grandmother died last night at 9:30pm. Today she lives on in all those she new and in those that know them. And so wile a disease took her body, she herself has become an infection. Something that will pass her love threw us and move to those who we meet.

Humor Vs Humanity

2007-07-27T05:00:00.001-07:00

I hold my friends to very high standards, second only to myself. The standards I hold my friends to are so high for several reasons, they reflect back on me, it gives us similar values, and it ensures that their behavior is reliable and ethical. I think at some level everyone does this with their friends (often without thinking about it)

I went camping with a couple of friends and a few people I didn’t know (friends of my friends). During a conversation, prisoner abuse was brought up. They talked about how US troupes took pictures of themselves embarrassing and assaulting prisoners. Unexpectedly people started to laugh. I couldn’t understand the humor in this and asked them to stop. Eventually they did.

Why could this be funny? Someone being abused certainly isn’t comical. Is the idea of others being humiliated funny? What about this comparison. Throwing a girl to the floor, pointing a gun at her head and telling her to remove her cloths. Then taking pictures of it. This is not funny at all. However there is almost do difference in comparison. No difference except for the fact that you may empathize with the girl and not with the captive.

Once the laughter began, one of the people started shouting out that she had a dog leash that she could put me in, and how funny that would be. Odd how I empathized more with those who where abused then by this woman who showed not one ounce of compassion to those who suffered. If you want to see the pictures of the prisoners abuse look here www.antiwar.com/news/?articleid=2444.

It’s a sad thing when you have someone that you respect, someone that you like to be around, change. Well only really change to me. I suppose they where always like this, and I never knew it. I have lost some respect in these people today.

Government

2007-07-27T04:58:00.001-07:00

For the corrupt republicans who currently control our government, let me start by saying a nice big FUCK YOU, for not thinking twice before checking that ballet, for not paying enough attention, for believing there lies no matter how much we told you, for calling yourself patriotic because you stand by the president, for calling us unpatriotic because we keep our president in check, for believing people like Rush Limbaugh who have everything to lose, for not believing in people like Al Franken who have nothing to lose, for thinking the media has a liberal biased, for not realizing that the media is owned by republicans, for being narrow minded, for voting for your religious morals, for not realizing that the republicans don’t really care about your religious morals, for the past four years of government, for a growing deficit, for our image across the globe, for the rising gap between middle income and upper class, for tax cuts to the rich in a time of war, for the Iraq war, for the outsourcing of jobs, for the increase in homeless, for the abstinence programs that lead to more teen pregnancy because the kids are afraid of condoms, for letting an anti birth control doctor run that section of the FDA, for calling intelligent design a science, for thinking that gay peoples pursuit of happiness had anything to do with your pursuit of happiness, for the Patriot Act, for the Police State, for marijuana still being illegal, for the privatizing of our utilities, for record oil profits, for record oil prices, for letting oil lobbyists into the EPA, for the destruction of our national forests, for letting a timber company lobbyist run the U.S. Forestry service, for cut funding in schools, for raised property and sales tax so states can pay for schools, for us not being prepared for 9/11 despite prior intelligence, for the slow reaction to hurricane Katrina, for the slow reaction to hurricane Wilma, for the increase in health care costs, for the reduction in insured Americans, and finally fuck you if you still don’t get it.

10 Reasons Why Gay Marriage is Wrong

2007-07-27T04:57:00.001-07:00

01) Being gay is not natural. Real Americans always reject unnatural things like eyeglasses, polyester, and air conditioning.

02) Gay marriage will encourage people to be gay, in the same way that hanging around tall people will make you tall.

03) Legalizing gay marriage will open the door to all kinds of crazy behavior. People may even wish to marry their pets because a dog has legal standing and can sign a marriage contract.

04) Straight marriage has been around a long time and hasn't changed at all; women are still property, blacks still can't marry whites, and divorce is still illegal.

05) Straight marriage will be less meaningful if gay marriage were allowed; the sanctity of Britany Spears' 55-hour just-for-fun marriage would be destroyed.

06) Straight marriages are valid because they produce children. Gay couples, infertile couples, and old people shouldn't be allowed to marry because our orphanages aren't full yet, and the world needs more children.

07) Obviously gay parents will raise gay children, since straight parents only raise straight children.

08) Gay marriage is not supported by religion. In a theocracy like ours, the values of one religion are imposed on the entire country. That's why we have only one religion in America.

09) Children can never succeed without a male and a female role model at home. That's why we as a society expressly forbid single parents to raise children.

10) Gay marriage will change the foundation of society; we could never adapt to new social norms. Just like we haven't adapted to cars, the service-sector economy, or longer life spans.

Top Ten Signs You're a Fundamentalist Christian

2007-07-27T04:50:00.000-07:00

10 - You vigorously deny the existence of thousands of gods claimed by other religions, but feel outraged when someone denies the existence of yours.

9 - You feel insulted and "dehumanized" when scientists say that people evolved from other life forms, but you have no problem with the Biblical claim that we were created from dirt.

8 - You laugh at polytheists, but you have no problem believing in a Triune God.

7 - Your face turns purple when you hear of the "atrocities" attributed to Allah, but you don't even flinch when hearing about how God/Jehovah slaughtered all the babies of Egypt in "Exodus" and ordered the elimination of entire ethnic groups in "Joshua" including women, children, and trees!

6 - You laugh at Hindu beliefs that deify humans, and Greek claims about gods sleeping with women, but you have no problem believing that the Holy Spirit impregnated Mary, who then gave birth to a man-god who got killed, came back to life and then ascended into the sky.

5 - You are willing to spend your life looking for little loopholes in the scientifically established age of Earth (few billion years), but you find nothing wrong with believing dates recorded by Bronze Age tribesmen sitting in their tents and guessing that Earth is a few generations old.

4 - You believe that the entire population of this planet with the exception of those who share your beliefs -- though excluding those in all rival sects - will spend Eternity in an infinite Hell of Suffering. And yet consider your religion the most "tolerant" and "loving."

3 - While modern science, history, geology, biology, and physics have failed to convince you otherwise, some idiot rolling around on the floor speaking in "tongues" may be all the evidence you need to "prove" Christianity.

2 - You define 0.01% as a "high success rate" when it comes to answered prayers. You consider that to be evidence that prayer works. And you think that the remaining 99.99% FAILURE was simply the will of God.

1 - You actually know a lot less than many atheists and agnostics do about the Bible, Christianity, and church history - but still call yourself a Christian.

Important Advice to Women

2007-07-27T04:43:00.000-07:00

Important Advice to Women

For a wile now I have been studying, teaching and experimenting with the art of seduction. I have a completely new set of tools that I have distributed to many men in the hopes of creating some lasting and positive relationships. What I havent done is given any real advice to the women that are so often the target of men.

First I should say that men do not have bad intentions for you. I am sure there are crazy stocker kinds of men out there but I have yet to meet one. It will have to be your job to decide if a man is dangerous or not but I am going to share some techniques that men use to meet you that are a bit less then honorable.

Be careful of unrequested promises. Be careful when a guy promises you something that you never asked for. What he is doing is setting up an excuse to meet you in the future. The problem is that if you did not ask for him to see you again, he is not interested in you as a person and instead thinking of you as a target.

Be on guard for character predictions. Men can act as though they are predicting your character in order to control your actions. I could say, in a negative manner, that you are one of those girls who always have their guard up and never have any fun because of it. As a result it is very likely that you will let your guard down in hopes to prove me wrong. In reality I am trying to control you.

Look out for subtle debts. Men buy drinks, dinner, flowers, and gifts so that you owe them. Some men do it out of chivalry but most wont. Counter act this by paying for your half. If you dont have the money then here is your strategy. Make sure that whatever he gives you is a reward for something nice you did. This way he is indebted to you and paying it off by his gifts. Make sure that he owes you and not the other way around. That way he cant use his leverage to control you.

Pay attention to selective hearing. Last time I checked, no still means no, but many men just dont hear it. Even stranger is that women will often let a man overlook it and think it is ok. If a man disregards your no when he asked for your number, he is likely to ignore it again at more dangerous moments. Overcome this by not hinting. Make your communication very clear. Men dont communicate with hints like women do. Be confident and just say it.

Look out to see if you have just been volunteered to a team that he created. Men understand the power of teamwork and know that team members create bonds. A man will fabricate an enemy for the two of you to team up against. This is not done because the enemy is real but because he hopes to establish the two of you as one force. He wants your trust and he will probably get it with this technique unless you are aware of it.

Dont give into the bruit force attack. If he keeps calling you and you dont want to see him, then dont give in. Men will call until you feel bad enough to answer. All your teaching him is that he has to call a lot in order for you to answer. You can now be assured that he will call hundreds of times until you talk with him. The right way to do it is to never answer if your not interested. Even if you want to tell him how you dont want to see him dont. Never answer.

All of these techniques are very effective but all of them are based in control and deceit. Good men should not deceive or control you. Relationships cannot be forged on one party controlling the other. That is not a relationship; it is an owner and a servant. I am not saying that you should stop going out with men. I am just saying you should go out with expectations and tools to determine the good from the bad.

To all men who are reading this, here are a few words for you. Seduction techniques are a good thing provided they are in the best interest of the person you are meeting. A woman is a person and has to be treated as such. I support the idea of seducing someone. I think everyone wants to be seduced but only if it is for good reasons that support both parties.

I am always looking for the right girl and with 6 billion people on the planet, I am sure that there are some great ones that I will meet. On one of my older blogs I outlined what I would consider the ideal woman for me. I am yet to meet her, and in truth I dont expect to meet her. I hope that the right girl is one that I cant predict. If youre her, shoot me an email.

The Guys' Rules

2007-07-27T04:41:00.000-07:00

We always hear "the rules " From the female side. Now here are the rules from the male side. These are our rules!

Men are not mind readers.

Learn to work the toilet seat. You're a big girl. If it's up, put it down. We need it up, you need it down. You don't hear us complaining about you leaving it down.

Sunday sports. It's like the full moon or the changing of the tides. Let it be.

Shopping is NOT a sport. And no, we are never going to think of it that way.

Crying is blackmail.

Ask for what you want. Let us be clear on this one: Subtle hints do not work! Strong hints do not work! Obvious hints do not work! Just say it!

Yes and No are perfectly Acceptable answers to almost every question.

Come to us with a problem only If you want help solving it. That's what we do. Sympathy is what your girlfriends are for.

A headache that lasts for 17 months is a problem . See a doctor.

Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument. In fact, all comments become null and void after 7 Days.

If you won't dress like the Victoria's Secret girls, don't Expect us to act like soap opera guys.

If you think you're fat, you probably are. Don't ask us.

If something we said can be interpreted two ways and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, we meant the other one .

You can either ask us to do something or tell us how you want it done. Not both. If you already know best how to do it, just do it yourself.

Whenever possible, Please say whatever you have to say during commercials.

Christopher Columbus did NOT need directions and neither do we.

ALL men see in only 16 colors, like Windows default settings. Peach, for example, is a fruit, not! A color. Pumpkin is also a fruit. We have no idea what mauve is.

If it itches, it will Be scratched. We do that.

If we ask what is wrong and you say "nothing," We will act like nothing's wrong. We know you are lying, but it is just not worth the hassle.

If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, Expect an answer you don't want to hear.

When we have to go somewhere, absolutely anything you wear Is fine...Really .

Don't ask us what we're thinking about unless you are prepared to discuss such topics as baseball, the shotgun formation, or golf.

You have enough clothes.

You have too many shoes.

Thank you for reading this.
Yes, I know, I have to sleep on the couch tonight

The Complete list of MAGIC RULES

2007-04-11T13:26:00.000-07:00

The famous rules of magic where proposed in Nevil Masklyne’s book “Our Magic.” The rules are generally referred to as Masklyne’s 24 rules of magic even though they where written by partner and co-writer David Devant. Many find Masklyne’s rules difficult to interpret and so I have modernized them and included additional rules that are generally agreed upon by magicians but where not included in the original 24 rules.

1. Never brake one of the rules unless you have a clear reason on why you should violate that rule.

2. Anticipate why a spectator would loose interest in a routine.

3. Keep routines simple in nature so that it doesn’t require to much memory or patience from your audience.

4. Do not obscure an effect by performing a second effect or distraction simultaneously.

5. Each routine must be a distinct, separate and complete sequence of essential details, that lead to one clear effect.

6. Make sure that every action occurs because of a cause and be certain that every cause is motivated because of an intended message.

7. Make every accessory and detail relevant to the routine and its message.

8. Defects are areas of the routine that cannot be justified.

9. If an area of a routine requires additional justification, it indicates an error and requires every possible reparation.

10. Eliminate every element that is not necessary or cannot be justified.

11. Do not repeat the same effect sequentially or it will diminish its impact to your spectators.

12. Condition your audience to maximize their experience of a routine.

13. A routine may have two independent effects if one fulfills the premiss of the routine wile the other provides a surprise conclusion.

14. Do not foretell the effect in advance to your audience.

15. Create compelling transition between routines to prevent your audiences distraction.

16. Accentuate routines with combinations of actions, sounds, and lighting.

17. Utilize coincidental occurrences as a form of punctuation.

18. A routines presentation should build theatrically and use the effect as its climax.

19. Each routine is enhanced if it builds on the routines before it.

20. A routines theatrical and dramatic premiss is more important then its magical premiss.

21. Once a routines theatrical and dramatic requirement have been met, all energy should be spent on strengthening the magical effect.

22. An effect should only be performed if it coincides with the performers abilities, the characters intentions, the shows premiss, and the environmental requirements of the performance space.

23. Only perform for an audience once the routine has been mastered through rehearsal.

24. Rehearse the details of a routine before rehearsing the routine as a whole.

25. One strong routine carries a great deal more weight then several weaker routines.

26. It is preferred to keep routines short and concise rather then risk losing an audiences attention.

27. Do not jeopardize the audiences suspension of disbelief by braking character, violating the plot, or reveling the magical or theatrical secrets.

Life is not fair

2007-03-24T14:57:00.001-07:00

Wile on the way to work today I began thinking about my life in comparison to how it used to be. Then I began comparing it to the life of other people (which is probably not a very healthy or fair practice). So where do I stand

Physically? I am in the best shape of my life. I am stronger and healthier then ever before and I look much better then I ever have before.

I am much more flexible then I was 6 months or even 6 years ago. The only time I can remember being more flexible was when I was in gymnastics 6 days a week.

I have increased my endurance beyond my expectations. I can run 7 miles without being winded. I spend 3 or 4 days a week doing an hour of aerobics and it doesn't faze me wile I had a very difficult time doing only 20 minutes a few months ago. I am going to run the next Las Vegas Marathon.

My respiratory system is top notch. I can now hold my breath for 2.5 minutes consistently. This is remarkable to me as I used to have a very difficult time holding my breath for 30 seconds.

I have been consistently loosing wait and gaining muscle. My weight has been maintained over the last 6 months but my fat content has been going down. This means that I have been gaining as much muscle weight as I have been loosing in fat.

I am sleeping like a baby. I have learned new techniques for getting better and more relaxing rest and I feel much more energized every day.

People have noticed and commented on my skin being tanner, my waist being thinner, my chest being fuller, and my jaw line being more defined. What an ego boost it has been.

Mental/Emotional? I have been accomplishing more every day then ever before in my life. I am closer to my dreams then ever before and have been consistently happier then any other time in my life. The employees at a smoothie cafe I go to call me the happiest man they know.

This happiness has proven to be contagious and has made people around me smile without even knowing why. This has given me an odd sense of contribution. Speaking of contribution, I have been giving more then ever before and it has been incredibly rewarding.

One of the best experiences in my life are the emails from the listeners of a podcast I produce. They have let me know that I have helped them and that it has really made a difference. A few have asked me for autographs and some of their compliments have nearly brought me to tears of joy. Nothing is so rewarding as the feeling of giving without expecting anything in return.

I have managed my time better than anyone I know. I am accomplishing tasks quickly and efficiently. I have been layering my tasks and learning more on a daily basis. I am reading one book ever two days and my life is expanding because of it. I feel powerful, compassionate and grateful.

Financial? Never in my life have I had such financial freedom, security, and growth. I am now an investor which is something I am very proud to consider myself. I am fortunate enough to invest 35f my income into areas of potential growth. Not only does this produce returns for me but it also helps those I invest to and the national economy.

I am making more money then ever before. My income has become very diversified and I am creating a strong level of security through patchwork economics. I feel secure enough that if any single income stream where to fail on me I would be OK, and that is a nice feeling to have.

I have removed all debt from my life. I now have no credit card or debt of any kind. I have paid for all my expenses in full and it feels great not to have that pressure on me. I am even in the process of purchasing a home with no money down. What an exciting time.

Relationships? I have been growing and developing my relationships like never before. My family is incredibly close and supportive of me like they never have been before. I have absolutely no friction with them.

With 100onfidence I can say that I have the best friends in the world. They are loyal, caring and kind. Truly great people who contribute in ways I could only wish I could equal back to them. How fortunate I am to have friends who are so selfless and compassionate.

I have been able to eliminate people in my life who made themselves a liability. Wile this was a difficult thing to do (and some are mad at me for letting them go) I have maintained my values through out and feel that I have grown stronger in the process. I haven't turned my back on those who need my help but have removed all bad influence to myself.

My business connections are growing constantly. I have gradually become an authority of my art and with that have earned respect from my pears and made very valuable business connections. This is a process that will continue to develop but it is great to have the ball in motion.

I have been dating and looking for an intimate relationship. Wile I have not found the right person I have met some wonderful people who have become good friends and have learned how to reframe negative actions of others, as a positive learning experience and as a way of understanding those who are not the right person for me.

So this is my current position in life. And Why is it not fair. Well I have worked hard to get to where I am and so many would argue that I have earned my position in life. I would contend to say that my good fortune has played an influential part of it and I am overly fortunate. My accomplishments have really been the influence and actions of those close to me. It is to them that I owe my happiness. If you are one of those people, let me tell you, I love you.

I DARE YOU TO

2007-03-21T17:59:00.001-07:00

DARE YOU TO:

• Sing a song, out loud in public.
• Splash in puddles next time it rains.
• Smile at the next twenty people you see, no matter how they look at you.
• Ask that person you’ve had a crush on out on a date.
• Hold yourself liable for your mistakes, and take responsibility for your victories.
• Forgive those who have wronged you.
• Let your tears go, next time you feel like crying.
• Thank your parents.
• Give 10% of your earnings to something that provides you with no benefit at all.
• Clean your room.
• Wear clothing that you normally wouldn’t for a day.
• Believe in magic.
• Do something for a day that you will remember for a lifetime.
• Trust everyone.
• Give people gifts when they don’t expect it instead of on holidays.
• Visit a different country.
• Get on stage and become a performer.
• Invent something that is absolutely useless, but give it a cool name.
• Compliment someone on something they don’t expect a compliment for.
• Go on a hike for the sheer joy of it.
• Write a page about how special you are.
• Give the barter system a try.
• Put on your favorite CD and dance like crazy by yourself.
• Spend 2 hours more in the morning for yourself.
• Buy something expensive that you have always wanted, and then give it away.
• Write a song in 30 minutes.
• Apologize to someone you have wronged that doesn’t know you wronged them.
• Donate your time to something you think will make a difference.
• Loose an argument to let someone else save face.
• Offer to walk your neighbors dog.
• Drink a hundred and fifty ounces of water a day.
• Be a thrill seeker.
• Be proud of your body, no matter what.
• Scare yourself.
• Tell an ugly girl that she looks beautiful so that she believes you.
• Listen to the other persons point of view.
• Turn off the T.V.
• Create your own list of dares and send them to me.

Abortion

2007-03-20T13:00:00.000-07:00

On January 22nd 1973 the supreme court agreed with Wade in the famous Roe vs. Wade case. This was the case that legalized abortion. Since them the debate has never stopped. Each state has its own laws, but the real disagreements have been between the pro lifers and the pro choice. So what’s the difference between the two groups.

One group believes that people should be given a choice. The other group believes that no life should be neglected. The problem is that they are not fighting about the same thing. Both sides want choices and both sides wants to respect life. The problem comes into play when your choice is about life.

When does life begin? Somehow this question has become a matter of religion rather then science. Catholics believe it happens at the moment of conception. Judaism believes that life begins when the first breath is taken. Somehow science has taken a back seat to the theories of various faiths.

This is insanity. Life begins at some point between conception and birth. But there is no exact timeframe. To say that it is alive within the first trimester when it is essentially a blob of developing cells is ludicrous. It is just as absurd to say that in the last trimester it is not alive.

Those against abortion argue that those developing cells may not yet be alive but they have to potential to be, and by aborting, it prevents that potential life from being. To that, I say, “your right.” Just as me wearing a condom, or my roommate abstaining from sex is preventing potential life. But I don’t feel that either of those actions are wrong.

Probably the single biggest problem we face is that of over population. It is the source of nearly all of our major problems (but that is for another essay). I am not suggesting that abortion is a solution, but having as many children as we are capable of having certainly wont help out global problems.

A pro-choice advocate is not pro abortion. There are several intelligent possibilities. One of the things I respect about America is the idea of it being a free country. The idea that we have options and choices. If we are to loose our choices then we are to loose our freedom. This has happened before.

During prohibition they made alcohol illegal. Was the outcome, less death, less crime, or better civil order? Quite the opposite. Alcohol flourished but it also killed due to gags, smuggling, and inadequate refinement processes. Abortion used to be illegal but that doesn’t mean that it didn’t exist.

Before Roe vs. Wade, abortions were still taking place but instead of it being performed by doctors in sterile environments it was performed by relatives in basements. Rarely was the woman undergoing the abortion not left injured, infected, or unable to conceive in the future.

I would like to think of myself as pro life. I value life and I think it is valuable. I see the value in the lives of all those women who were hurt or killed. I value life more then I value choice. But a believe that abortion should be an option. Why?

Recently an economist blamed abortion for the drop of crime. Nearly fifteen years after the Roe vs. Wade crime dropped mysteriously all across the country. The answer to this was interesting. The children that would have been born to unprepared parents were now given the choice to abort.

These children who would have been raised in inadequate homes, now didn’t exist. The children that would later grow to be more likely tempted by crime were gone and so fifteen years later when those children would have existed and started entering into gangs and subcultures the crime that was expected didn’t happen.

I am not saying abortion is a good way of fighting crime. However having abortion be a possible choice for potential parents has been proven, both here in the US and in other countries to decrease crime. It still doesn’t make abortion right. Abortion is prevented potential life. So why would someone who respects life more then choice use this as an argument to support abortion.

The amount of murders that were prevented due to the abortions was nearly three times that of the amount of abortions had. It means that lives were saved. If you respect life, then you have no excuse but to support peoples choices. It has been proven that they will make the right choice for the common good.

Death Penalty

2007-03-19T09:21:00.000-07:00

So here is the strategy. Someone goes out, and for reasons of their own, decide to kill someone. The police begin an investigation and, with any luck, catch the murderer. If the murder is terrible enough and clearly guilty, there are two maximum sentences. We can put them in jail for the rest of their life or we can take their life from them by killing them.

So what’s the difference between letting someone grow old and die in prison versus putting them to death? Well there are three fundamental differences. First is making the sentence fit the crime, Second is the cost of their sentence, and finally the ramifications the sentences have on discouraging future crime.

First I will briefly go over the argument of having the sentence fit the crime. The argument that the death penalty better suits the crime of murder holds no water at all. In the end, the convicted is going to die. Either way we are taking their life from them. If we kill them, its over. If they live out their days in a prison, they have to deal with what they have done. Something’s are worse then death.

Next I’ll talk about the cost of their sentence. The cost of executing a prisoner is conservatively between two and three million dollars. The average cost of imprisoning a criminal is just over $16,000 per year. This means that a prisoner put do death cost the same as a prisoner who lives for 125 years in prison. It is obvious that it is much for cost effective to put them away for life then it is to put them to death. So that argument can consider itself executed.

Finally there is the third and final argument, that says the death penalty scares away potential criminals from committing crimes. Well to me that makes sense, but lets take a look at the numbers. A man names Isaac Ehrilich did a study and concluded that one execution per year would result in, on average, seven or eight fewer murders. Well great, that must mean that the death penalty really does save lives.

Or, unlike Ehrilich, we can look at what the effects of the death penalty has really done, instead of simply creating a theory. If we look at the execution/homicide relationship from 1907 till today, it shows that the executions not only does not deter crime, but increases it. The US murder rate is 9.3 murders per 100,00 people. 16 states have higher rates than that. 15 of those state were the death penalty states.

Well that’s it. Those are the big three comparisons. All of which clearly show no benefit to the death penalty. Well there is one other factor and that is religious beliefs, but I prefer to stick to science rather then faith when it comes to life or death. And besides, the religious leaders are against the death penalty anyways. So they only support my feelings.

Punishment is nothing more than revenge when the subject is not a candidate for rehabilitation. Revenge is nothing more then an emotional response and for me, revenge is not a rational action. Revenge doesn’t satisfy us all and it may cause harm to some. The falsely convicted, who are put to death, don’t get the opportunity to receive an apology, when the truth is discovered. There have been 113 people so far who have been proven innocent after their execution in the US.

Why do we kill people, who kill people, to show that killing people is wrong? It obviously doesn't solve the problem. It doesn’t cost us less. Its not a perfect system, we have had mistakes. Maybe its to further advance the carries of politicians. Maybe it is to fulfill our hatred. Maybe we will see the airs of our ways and use it as an opportunity to improve our society and ourselves.

Affirmative Action

2007-03-18T15:05:00.000-07:00

“We hold these truths to be self evident that all men are created equal.” Those are powerful words. I bet that when it talks about all men, it means all human beings. Woman, man, black, white, Asian, Jewish, catholic, and atheist. What a wonderful idea. But after all these years those words haven’t been able to sink in. The world is not equal.

How could this be. Martin Luther King had a dream. I just listened to it today, and it made me cry. Try listening to in yourself. Really listening to it. Such power in those words. And again we are still not equal. How could this be.

They say that we are attracted to those like us. We are also designed to have strong first impressions as a survival mechanism. So in a way we are designed to discriminate right. Hell no. We fear what we don’t understand and so discrimination is a result of our experiences. Discrimination is a result of ignorance.

We have the cure for ignorance, and that is education. Education is the cure for discrimination. But if its just that simple why hasn’t discrimination been solved. Well maybe it is because we are taught through our familiarities. We are taught to fear teenagers wearing urban cloths. We are taught to respect older gentlemen in suit and tie.

But discrimination is a thing of the past right? We have put things into place that solve discrimination. We have affirmative action. The online encyclopedia, smartpedia.com defines affirmative action as “the practice of favoring or benefiting members of a particular race in areas such as college admissions and workplace advancement.”

That definition says a lot. The part I find the most interesting is the words “benefiting members of a particular race.” Isn’t it obvious that this is really discrimination? Of coarse its discrimination. In Europe they call it good discrimination. In the states its often referred to as reverse discrimination. Dress it up however you like discrimination is discrimination.

There is a new idea in discrimination though. Using discrimination to fight discrimination. If fire can fight fire, then why cant discrimination fight discrimination? Because one is an element, bound in the laws of physics and the other is based on emotion and ignorance. Physics is a science. Ignorance and emotions are not predictable. Their entire nature is unpredictable.

Its great that we have a plan to destroy discrimination. To bad the plan is flawed. How do you destroy a train of thought by reinforcing it? We wont achieve equality by throwing off the scales. But throwing off the scales will create fast results and then what?

If affirmative action does work, then we have three possible outcomes. One is that everything is cured (likely, hah). Second is that they take affirmative action away because everything discrimination is solved and the problem comes back. Third is that affirmative action is left in operation and the scales get tipped in the other direction.

This sucks. Two of the three outcomes leave us in a place of discrimination. The other outcome has no evidence that it will work. But people are never going to be equal. We are born into a free country and with that there is going to be differences between us. We will always be different.

These differences are to be celebrated. We should never hate each other because of our differences. If I don’t understand you, I may fear you but I wont hate you. I will however take time to learn about you until I do understand you. Education is the solution. Discrimination, affirmative action, or hate can all be cured with understanding, one mind at a time.

Atheist

2007-03-17T09:42:00.000-07:00

It happens all the time. A Christian came up to me and tried to convince me that his faith was the right one. It's not always a Christian. Last week it was a mormon, tomorrow it may be a Jehovah Witness. When they push their religion on me, I respond by pushing my lack of faith on them. Eventually they suggest that I am taking the easy way out because I am an Atheist. Let me explain why it's not all that easy.

According to a national study conducted by the University of Minnesota, atheists are the least trusted minority in the country (http://www.ur.umn.edu/FMPro?-db=releases&-lay=web&-format=umnnewsreleases/releasesdetail.html&ID=2816&-Find). I happen to know lots of atheists and find them very ethical and trustworthy. Maybe the study was wrong. Maybe atheists really do have it easy. Let me think back.

When I was young I was a boy scout. I didn't get involved in the politics of scouting so I never found out that they don't allow atheists to be scouts. I would have been kicked out. It turns out that Boy Scouting of America is a private organization and so they are within their rights to deny membership if they choose (http://www.scoutingforall.org/aaic/090502.shtml). As I grew up I found that Atheists have other problems to face.

Until 1985 it was illegal to sell pots, pans and appliances like washing machines in Texas. In many states it is still illegal to buy alcohol or a car on sunday. These laws are called Blue Laws. They are based on religion and limit the freedoms of those who chose not to believe in them. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_law)

I am not allowed to hold public office in at least 7 U.S. states because I'm an atheist. Those states include, Arkansas, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. Many states will not let atheists give testimony in a court of law. How would you feel if you where told that your government discriminated against you (http://everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=1203320).

I wonder how my government could let this happen to me and so I look at our leaders. What I find is that politicians, all the way up to the president discriminate against atheists. George Bush Sr. said "No. I don't know that atheists should be considered as citizens, nor should they be considered patriots. This is one nation under God." Under God? (http://www.positiveatheism.org/writ/ghwbush.htm)

The pledge of Allegiance was written in 1892. The words "Under God" where not added until 1954 by president Eisenhower after being lobbied by the Knights of Columbus and Minister George MacPherson Docherty. "Under God" was not intended by the author. It is incredibly unlikely that the current pledge of allegiance would have passed through congress to become the official national pledge in 1945 if it contained the words "Under God". (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_law) Is this what our founders would have wanted?

The national motto, by Jefferson, is "E Pluribus Unum". Most believe it to be "In god we trust" because of its branding on US currency. It was not put on our currency to begin with but in 1864. This change was lobbied by a group of Protestants denominations under the National Reform Association. The frays "In god we trust" was not put on the dollar bill until 1957. (http://www.atheists.org/flash.line/igwt1.htm)

The US was not founded as a Christian nation, but we see Christians and Christian organizations trying to make it so (http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/farrell_till/myth.html). Christian organizations are trying to get public schools to teach religious beliefs as if they are science (http://www.ebonmusings.org/evolution/crenotscience.html). Some of our countries national policies and decisions are being decided upon by religion instead of rational thought and discourse. Things like stem cell research, abortion and right to die.

There is ample evidence to show that many of our founding fathers where not Christians and did not want our government to favor one religion over another. This includes George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and Thomas Paine. (http://www.sullivan-county.com/news/ffnc/)

Religion is a very dangerous thing. We are seeing religious extremists killing thousands. Wars are being fought and countries are being overturned. Peoples religious beliefs are taking away my freedoms, trying to rewrite history, affecting the education of my peers and pose a direct threat to my safety and security. That is why being an atheist is not all that easy.

Dreams and Nightmares

2007-03-16T11:57:00.000-07:00

I got the call saying that I could have a show at the Magic Island in Huston Texas. This has been something that I needed to do for a long time now and to have this opportunity open wide for me is a great thing. I had to send off a DVD of myself overnight at a cost of $45. I will need to make sure everything in my show is solid. I will need to find the most cost effective way to travel down there and the real challenge of finding a dancer to perform it for almost no money. What to do, what to do?

As Promised

2007-03-15T12:08:00.000-07:00

As I promised, here is the video I shot of the stardust being destroyed. Enjoy

Fake Wars and Fake Soldiers

2007-03-13T14:03:00.000-07:00

So last night we watched the stardust get destroyed. It was done as only vegas could do it. I will probably put up the video that I took of it. So I found myself on the top of the Wynn casinos parking lot with a mountain of dust approach. They had shut down the streets so I was stuck.

Some friends and I took shelter in my car as we watched people outside holding their shirts over their face to protect their lungs from the now thick air. It was a seen that brought up thoughts of September 11th. The difference being, that we all knew what was going to happen and chose to be there. There was no loss of life. Instead their was celebration.
Wile we waited for the implosion, I talked with a military pilot. He manned a remote vehicle over Iraq called the predator. Heres what it does. Its a remote controlled, high altitude plane that can carry bombs or missiles. It has high level imaging capabilities so it can act like a spy plane or can be used for targeting.

These planes may only be used by the military right now but I predict that they are going to be in use all over the world for things like police, fire department, and rescue organizations. They remove the lose of life (at least for the pilot) from the equation. Its a good thing when we can sacrifice a robot in exchange for sacrificing life.

All I hope is that these machines are used to help and not hurt.

Life & Death

2007-03-12T08:50:00.000-07:00

I grew up in the Santa Cruz mountains of California. I love it there. It’s an ultra liberal, recycle friendly, hippy based, environmentally friendly town. It’s also a place that I had to leave in order to find a place for myself to grow and be on my own. Vegas became my new home.

Vegas had a few similarities but not many. The big difference is how wasteful Vegas is. This is a city that will build a billion dollar resort only to blow it up a few years later. From someone with my upbringing this seems crazy.

At 2 am today I am going to watch the Stardust Hotel and Casino implode. This is going to be the second casino I will watch implode. You would think that a place that destroys so much would eventually end up in rubble but thats not the case.

Las Vegas happens to be the fastest growing city in the world. This is possible not because of how much room they have but instead by how much they change. It is nearly impossible to see everything because of how fast it changes.

The next time I think about getting rid of something in my life I will think differently. I will not think about the loss I may experience. I will think about the change that I will facilitate from eliminating waist. Death facilitates room for life.

Handling Fear vs. Accomplishment

2007-03-11T12:26:00.000-07:00

There is a big difference between happiness and accomplishment. I have been happy lately. You would think that would be enough but its not. The expectations that I have put upon myself have now become the expectations of others and its much harder to let other people down. Did that make sense? I have the character of a guy who has it all and has it all under his control but the reality is that I am scared about a lot of things.

I am scared that I am not good enough to get on stage and be a good show. I am scared that my body isn't good enough. I am scared that I will never meet the write girl. I am scared that I will run out of money. My fear pushes me toward inaction because if I act I will find out whether I will fail or not.

This is a circular problem because inaction will guarantee my failure in all these areas of my life. I suppose the key is to discard the fear and stop listening to it. The solution is to take action with no guarantee of success and hope that things come out alright. So here are the actions I am going to take today.

I am going to Run and lift weights
I am going to eat 3 solid meals
I am going to work hard on my show
I am going to work on cleaning my house
I am going to deposit money, return unneeded merchandise, and balance my checkbook
I am going to relax and my mind wile keeping my body in motion.

101 things about Me

2007-03-10T16:44:00.000-08:00

2005-11-12T09:46:00.000-08:00