Artificiality: The Diet

I am full of ideas! I bet every day I have one to several ideas. But let me be honest, most of them aren’t worth sharing and some may even cause embarrassment. But I had an idea of a GREAT way to lose weight!


I did poorly in Biology in High School, so I am not sure how practical or possible this is, but surely it is worth pursuing. If in fact the sense of taste is a series of sensors in our tongue sending signals to our brain that something tastes sweet, sour, bitter etc, then why not figure out a way to trick our brains in to thinking something tastes sweet? Maybe it is a simple combination of a few harmless chemicals that send the same message to our brain that thinks a particular flavor has been experienced!

In the old days, we saw astronauts that ate food out of tubes labeled “T-bone steak and mashed potatoes” so apparently someone has thought of this before…so let’s make it so! I would be squeezing tube after tube of Rocky Road, or Warm Brownies and the likes, without having to worry about gaining weight. See, I just mentioned those dishes and I gained a pound...I felt it grow!

Then maybe we could also find a tube called “Happiness” and then later one called “Peace” and the yummy tube of “Good Marriage” and “Friends” yeah , let’s synthesize everything until we just stay at home eating tubes.

Ok, so now I have successfully convinced myself this idea sucks and I might even be embarrassed about it. Well, thanks for indulging me in the mean time.

Movies That Suck

Why is it that everything is about the "good ‘ol days?" It seems around every corner, someone is saying "They don't make them like they used to"...Movies, Cars, Coke...it seems like we keep diluting the real thing for something that is easier to make or is artificially simulated. I know for FACT that Coke changed their recipe when they came out with 'Coke Classic' which was supposed to be the exact formula everyone whined and complained about them changing for 'New Coke'. I had a green bottle Coke (those old enough reading this know what I am talking about) and a Coke Classic...and they were NOT the same! Not even close!


Movies seem to rely SO MUCH on special effects, they almost don't care about the plot or character development, just getting some eye candy out there that lures the viewers in. I remember when a movie preview was mostly the people in the movie and some general facts about the story. Nowadays, the movie preview is almost as produced as the movie itself, and often times uses some of the best scenes of the movie in it.

It really is unfortunate that people in this generation will never taste Coke as it was. Nor see many quality movies that stand the test of time...I mean really...who couldn't sit down and enjoy a good Hitchcock movie...but I bet the lines are going to be short to see 'Freddy vs. Jason' or 'Virtuosity'. I remember when I saw Indiana Jones and thought it was a masterpiece...then they made part two and totally keyed in on the things that people reacted to in the first one...especially the spider scene...so they made a HUGE deal out of plot-less, meaningless gooey insects and living meals and said "to hell with the story, let's make ‘em squirm!" Ugh! The one thing I DID like about the change in movies happened in 1983 with the release of Return of the Jedi...THX. I recall the screen before the monstrous sound blew us out of our seats...it said "...the quality of sound has remained unchanged for over 30 years" FINALLY! A visionary! Someone that recognized what could be IMPROVED upon and not just figuring out a way to do something faster.

How many times do we see a software package that has some good features, but could use some good customer feedback to make it perform better? But what do the publishers do? They release a new version that has MORE FEATURES instead of fixing the ones that were bad. It’s like complaining that a car doesn’t accelerate fast enough, so the next year they release a model with a bigger air conditioner and pen stripes. SO WHAT!? We wanted it to go faster…and instead they have added MORE features that actually even slow it down further…or my all time worst…they simply rely on technology to improve so that their program works better rather than spending the time to figure out what they did wrong and correct it. Am I alone in this?

So the next time you hear someone say “they don’t make ‘em like they used to”…they ARE NOT LYING!

The Fear of Men

What is it about the darkness that seems to draw me to it's void? Why am I so at home in a place where I am invisible? Light is like a repellant and the darkness is a refuge. I have a mild case of claustrophobia, and yet I am most productive working in confined areas. So where does this embracing of what frightens us most offer us comfort?

When Bruce Wayne was asked why he chose a bat as his persona, he said “Bats frighten me, it is time my enemies shared my dread.” The first time I saw Batman Begins, I loved the movie. I wasn’t sure what the attraction was, but I saw it over and over. It wasn’t until this past week I fully understood why it struck a chord with me.

As a bounty hunter by profession, I hunt at night since my prey comes out at night. I have committed myself to finding those who do harm to others as they thrive on the indulgence of societies understanding.

So by living in the world of my adversaries, I find them with their guards down. I endeavor to ensure justice is carried out. It isn’t up to me to decide their judgment or punishment, but I will do my best to see that they are duly dealt with. My only challenge is to leave their world to them, and return to mine as the sun rises. I have found new strength in identifying their world as a dark, slimy infestation of corruption, immorality and abuse. It is this differentiation that gives me power to succeed, the will to persevere and the drive to fight for those who have been victimized by the tools of my prey…fear. My intolerance of evil is has given me the means to fight injustice, to turn fear against those who prey on the fearful.

Intimidation and surprise afford me an edge. To borrow another quote form Batman “To conquer fear you must become fear, you must bask in the fear of other men. And men fear most what they cannot see.” Fear leads to anger, and it is that anger that gives me the drive to do great or terrible things. With power, comes a higher level of responsibility than some people can bear. The ability to segregate the anger from revenge is what separates the righteous from evil.

Allah akbar

Killeen Texas - Ft. Hood U.S. Army Base - Major Nidal Malik Hasan, a lifelong Muslim born in the United States kills 13 people and wounds 30.  How can this be? On an ARMY BASE for crying out loud!? How is it that a person described as dedicated to his job and patients, responsible and kind, all of a sudden becomes a mass murderer with no regard for people's lives? For me, the big clue comes in the final words of the maniac..."Allah akbar" which means "God is great".  While I agree with the phrase, it is not the same God I worship to whom he is giving praise. It is Allah. So what is it about this religion that makes people so proud and eager to kill Americans? Ok, I get it, they think we are of the devil and sinful people who don't have any morals. But really, what does that have to do with taking others lives? Living in a country where we encourage all sorts of freedoms, being able to praise whomever you want is YOUR business...but when your religion says to kill people...shouldn't we as Americans do something about this?

What I don't get is this: I have a very good friend who is a muslim, but he is kind, considerate, thoughtful and socially adept...so do I need to worry that one day he will attain a certain point in his religion when he graduates to becoming a muss murderer as well? I always agree to disagree, but not to the point where I start mowing down those who are opposite me with automatic weapons and hand grenades and 747's crashing in to buildings killing innocent people.

It just frustrates me to no end when these people kill in the name of God....maybe Allah is a murdering coward, but my God says to forgive, love and be at peace with each other...nothing about spilling brain matter all over the floor due to a judgement they are making.

My heart goes out to those families affected by this lunatic's actions, I do not know if I could handle it knowing a family member of mine fell victim to this. Maybe as a kind act, all muslims could bring dinner to those families who lost loved ones.

Que Saco...

I took Spanish while I was at Belmont College in Nashville and ironically enough, I got an F one semester and the teacher squeezed out a C the next for me. Why is this ironic? I had complained repeatedly why I was being forced to take a language that I would NEVER use! 9 Months later, I was living in Monterrey Mexico wishing I had paid a LOT more attention in class. Then several years later, I married a Mexican who spoke very little English. So now the beauty of being semi-bi-lingual is that I learn the idiosyncrasies of language differences. I had a great friend who was fluent in English, Spanish and Portuguese, she taught me a great phrase they use in Brazil "Que Saco". Basically it means "Oh man, what a drag..." but realistically there is not literal translation, but the phrase is so powerful, I use it often.

All this to say, right now, life is making me say "Que Saco" a lot more than I wish. It is simply amazing the ways that we are attacked by many differing forces, from many differing angles, and most unexpected times. One day, life is good, the next your world is falling apart with no warning. And then what do we have to hold on to? Where do we turn for support? I am not always sure I know how to answer this. And honestly sometimes I feel like I need to suffer the pain to justify the need for a change. Martyr, glutton, whatever you call it, I just look for what works and go with it. Be it right or wrong, I don't know and am not sure that it matters...because what works for one may not work for another. In reality, I don't know how we get along in relationships at ALL when you factor in all the variables of personalities, morals, beliefs, and opinions. It is a miracle anyone stays married if you ask me!

My aunt Lila was married to my Uncle Ted for over 65 years, and all their neighbors commented how they would walk through the neighborhood holding hands and enjoying each other's companionship. As of tonight, Lila is finally together again with Ted in heaven where they don't need to worry about hearing problems, lack of vision or the effort it takes to walk across the room. While it is certainly freeing for them, I will miss them both very much. But how does a couple survive the years of trials they surely experienced, although I VERY rarely ever heard any facsimile of a complaint from either one, and yet remained obviously IN LOVE. Sure someone can COMMIT to being with someone "...in sickness and in health..." but how can they keep that magic in their lives? And be so comfortable with each other until the end? I just hope that I will be able to find that mojo and apply it to my life and wife. Love that endures all, wow, that is truly the miracle.

So in regards to Lila's death tonight: Que Saco. But then again, she is in a much better place than I right now.

Gentle rest Lila, love from all of us and we celebrate your reunion with Ted and the example you left for us all! I love you!

Funkytown...

Have you ever had one of those days when something happens and you know it is going to have a long term affect on your life, but you don't know how? Whatever the event or response, you can feel your subconcience chewing madly at way to deal with it. Well, I have had that for about 2 weeks now. I am not even sure what the trigger was, but there is definitely something brewing. I am sure the final result will include some extent of suppression or agression. Either way, I am just ready to move on past this.

I found out some very sad news last week about a childhood friend who had unexpectantly died. We hadn't spoken in over 25 years, but still, it is a little disconcerting to be counting "down" the people whom I have known that are now dead. High school reunions become like survivor support groups as we recount memories of friends who have passed.

Finding it hard to remain focused or motivated lately. After having had the swine flu a couple weeks ago, now it seems like sleep is my new found vice. I can't get enough and I am even close to sleeping while standing up with my eyes wide open. Hopefully some additional exercise will help slop me out of this goop.

The Rest of My Life...

I am about to embark on new territory here..a new venue...the next generation. Of course despite that this is new to me, all you seasoned bloggoids out there are asking what took me so long to catch up...right? Well, namely...TIME...that non-Spatial Continuum. So I figure rather than finding time to do this, I will create my OWN time and do it according to my own reality.

I am sure you will find me to be many things; a rambler, a dreamer, logical, emotive...but never will I be anything that demeans or detracts from my religious faith in God and my salvation through him. So if that offends anyone, then...good! Call me and let's talk about it.

So hold on...and let's see where this ride takes us. I look forward to any feedback you may have and hope you will feel free to engage with me at any time.