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Schools for "Life-Enlightenment"

2010-01-08T00:00:00.000+01:00

NFS Grundtvig was a 19th century Danish leader, hymn-writer, and pastor who sought ways to educate and lift up the common people in an age that was still dominated by royalty, nobility, and an intellectual elite. Grundtvig thought that education should be not only in the style of Latin learning but should be accessible to farmers and peasants. Grundtvig’s inspiration helped lead to folk schools in Scandinavia. The folk school sessions often were scheduled from November- April during the slow season for the farmers; soon women were included in the folk schools as well. Grundtvig believed that the folk schools should be for the enlightenment of the people, and one of his best-known songs is titled “Enlightenment”:

Is light just for the learned to debate and to control?
No! Light is heaven’s gift, and
heav’n shines its light on all.
Not with the scholar but the
farmer does the sun rise up,
Enlightens best those most
immersed in life from toe to top.

The amazing thing for university-educated Grundtvig was to assert that “light” is not dependent upon university education or upon someone with credentials, but that we all should receive this light. The scandalous statement from Grundtvig is that light rises up with the farmer and those most immersed in life; that enlightenment is not just to lift up only some people but is for farmers, peasants, and other women and men, too. It is not anti-intellectualism, but rather anti-elitism. Enlightenment is for all.

Thus folk schools became filled with the forms that Grundtvig most loved: song, conversation, and attention to the whole person.

Grundtvig believed that songs uplift and educate people; songs are an extension of human development and art. By singing the vast array of songs he wrote, Grundtvig believed the peasants could be strengthened for everyday life through learning both their ethnic stories and Bible stories. Grundtvig spent a great deal of time studying and translating Nordic mythology. He saw those myths as oral stories that communicated values and guidance for people in the Nordic countries. Grundtvig translated Beowulf, for instance, as well as stories about Odin and Thor and Freya. He believed these Nordic myths which had helped shaped Scandinavian life for centuries could now help Danes to listen anew for the living word.

Grundtvig’s view of the folk schools was that they would not be shaped by grades or tests (neither of which are used at folk schools to this day). They would be schools for life where everyone over 18 would be welcome to learn and be enlightened. Grundtvig wrote:

Enlightenment is our treasure,
although it slowly seeps in.
But over time the living word
brings life-enlightenment.
Light springs from people’s deeds
and grows through constant tender care,
It shines in the people’s counsel till
stars turn to sun’s glare.

Enlightenment is not an immediate, sudden experience but comes through time and tender care. If we look, we can see light in the deeds of people who show care around us. “The people’s counsel” also referred to the new democratic changes that were happening in Denmark in the last half of the 19th century. With those changes, the people were finding an opportunity to share the wisdom gained through their own lives – in fields and trades and homes – in leading community life.

Grundtvig especially highlighted the simple joys of everyday life. He struggled at times with depression and could barely get himself out of bed. At other times he wrote and met with people in a near-manic energy. Yet through all his ups and downs he saw and appreciated the simple joys of life in his time – the seasons of rural life, the larks and labor common in Denmark, the stories and sounds of the ocean. His prolific creativity in writing and poetry has continued to influence Nordic music and poetry by focusing on everyday experiences. When his sons were confirmed, Grundtvig wrote a poem that is an inspiring ode to our existence. The first stanza sounds like this:

A simple, joyful, active life on earth
Is one which I would not with royalty exchange.
We walk in our ancestors’ wise footsteps,
With equal worth in castle and in cottage.
With eyes turned heavenward as God creates,
Awake to beauty and greatness still here on earth,
Yet knowing deep longings that stay unfilled
Until eternity in glory gives them birth.

This shows the life-enlightenment of Grundtvig. May we each live in this joy and grow in awareness of the simple, joyful, active life on earth!

Peace,
T-Blogger

Joy that needs a voice

2009-12-31T15:48:00.011+01:00

If you hear beautiful music, the next words out of our mouths are "listen to this". Or when you see the sun glint on the fresh snow you probably say "look at that"! Or if you have a piece of chocolate, isn't it almost immediate we say "mmmmmm, taste this"?

These are all ways we express joy. The thing about Joy is that you want to share it with somebody else. Joy is not something we can keep bottled up inside. It is joy that brings us together in this season to share and give with others.

Joy is not the same thing as happiness. Happiness, as the word implies, happens. Joy transcends happiness and goes deeper. We can experience joy even in the midst of great hardship. Sometimes that joy helps sustain us, and can help sustain others. And then there are those times we are so "pregnant" with joy so wonderful that it just has to come out.

What gives you joy? I've found times when I'm so "pregnant" with joy that I have a perma-grin. Spending time with family overseas that I don't get to see often, skiing in the Alps, discussing deep questions with my Confirmation students, or making new connections with people all develop my joy. My soul magnifies my joy!

What brings you joy? Does the stock market bring you joy? Or the Tuesday evening show lineup? A young child learning the alphabet? Someone who is in a hospital who shares words that touch your soul? Joy is found in the common, ordinary things of our lives.

Joy is good for you, and good for the world. May you find joy in the everyday occurences of your life as we enter the New Year!

Peace,
The Gust

Blurry Season

2009-12-28T09:11:00.001+01:00

This time of year is normally filled with Christmas carols, white snow and massive amounts of anything edible. Snowman are out and in full swing making many winter wonderland appearances while Christmas presents are being bought and ripped open at a rapid pace. Smiles, alcohol and a good amount of laughs are passed around like a peace pipe on an Indian reservation. Overall it’s a good time to be around friends and family and catch up on some of the happenings of the past year, regardless of how far you have to travel to see some of them.

Christmas time or even winter time is a good time for the winter advocate or the closet skier to get out and enjoy. Hopefully you live in the northern hemisphere and get to enjoy the winter sensations but even if you don’t you can still feel that “Christmas feeling” in the air.

I just wanted to make a quick note and I hope everyone got to feel that special feeling and got to see everyone they wanted to see during their few mandatory days off this winter.
*raises glass quickly*

Cheers to Christmas time… can’t wait for your drinking buddy “New Years Eve” to come along next. ~~Shit~~, what to drink? Guess I have to go shopping again, but this time to the liquor store, haha…

Ciao-

Radical amazement

2009-12-01T00:00:00.003+01:00

As we enter the Advent and Christmas season, we have a renewed opportunity to experience rebirth. As we wait expectantly for the birth of a Jewish baby who would grow into an inspiring rabbi, I am reminded of the insistent message of a modern Jewish rabbi about radical amazement.

Abraham Heschel was a Jewish rabbi who was born in Warsaw, Poland and who escaped to England before the start of World War II. Heschel immigrated to the United States and taught at Jewish Theological Seminary. Heschel participated in Christian-Jewish dialogues and was very involved in the Civil Rights movement. Rabbi Heschel wrote that the greatest obstacle to knowledge is our attachment to conventional notions or mental clichés. We take things for granted. What Heschel said we desperately need is radical amazement, which means being maladjusted to conventional notions.

That's right: it can be good to be maladjusted to the way we always have seen things because then we can see the world and our lives afresh.

Radical amazement is what happens when you look at a gorgeous sunset and suddenly are amazed not just at the colors but also at the very ability to see! Radical amazement happens when you not only hear beautiful music but also are amazed at the ability to hear and enjoy at all! Radical amazement refers not so much to what we know as to that we know. Radical amazement gets at the root wonder of being here at all.

As civilization advances, Heschel said, our sense of wonder declines. We take things for granted. Yet Heschel insisted that a life without wonder is not worth living. What we lack is not so much a will to believe as a will to wonder. We have the chance for radical amazement again. Our home computers are more powerful than themainframes that NASA used to land a man on the moon yet we often complain about the slowness of a program. We sit on an airplane for a few hours to travel to the coast, yet we complain about a line for boarding. We turn on electric lights for granted without giving thanks for them. Who ever stares with wonder at a light bulb? Yet a candle flame can stir up in us a sense of wonder so weapproach our life with freshness.

At this time of year we tend to light candles. We slow down for a moment to wonder at the flame. I believe our Advent and Christmas seasons are a success even if we only experience a moment of radical amazement. Radical amazement can open our hearts to the wonder of that little Jewish baby asleep in a manger so many years ago.

Radical amazement can open our eyes to see the gift of the people who are now around us. Radical amazement can open our hands to reach out to others who, like us, share the same hopes, desires, and dreams of mankind.

During this Advent and Christmas season there are many opportunities for busyness and frantic activity. We may enjoy those activities and even thrive in them. There are also occasions where people keenly notice the emptiness of loved ones who have died or moved on. We may feel saddened by those losses. Through all the ups and downs, may everyone have a chance to help one another re-discover ourselves in this season of radical amazement!

Peace,
T-Blogger

Live your life

2009-11-27T10:37:00.000+01:00

Written above are 3 simple words that are actually quite easy to say, but rather hard to follow. Many people talk about trying to do fun things and go cool places, but I feel like very few of us succeed in doing so. Many of us repeatedly step up to the plate and all we hear is the ball fly by us while the umpire screams, “you’re out!!”

Why do so many of us fail to hit the ball or even swing the bat. I guess half the battle is getting in the batters box, but the other have is finishing what you started to do. Good intentions don’t get you anywhere in life. You need to finish what you started, you need to do what you said you were going to do and live your life the bet way possible.

What do I even mean by living your life? Well, to put it simple, “enjoy your life”, but those words don’t add much clarity as people will settle with what they have and tell you time and again they are enjoying their lives. But who are they kidding? Are they really? I guess it’s not your nor mine place to say yes or no, but it is quite easy to read between the lines and see who is getting in the batters box and swinging and who is still riding pine.

You need to be able to wake up every morning and be excited about your life, your accomplishments and what lies ahead of you in your path. You owe it to yourself to have the best life possible. So why not have it?

You would truly be surprised how fun your life can be if you just let it be fun. IF you smile a bit more everyday and do a few more fun things here and there. Get out and go for a walk in the park, see your favorite movie, drink your favorite wine (and maybe have too much), laugh hard and loud without caring when and where you are and most importantly live your life.

Too often we see mid-life crises, or people that have breakdowns. We push ourselves too far to the edge and finally we do fall over. I don’t think we need to slow down, but I do think we should smell the ~~fuckin~~ ~~damn~~ roses once in awhile. I mean why not? Plan for doing something fun. Now this doesn’t mean plan a specific time for fun, but rather have fun in doing more things. Expect everything to go well, more often than not, how you think about a particular task, errand, person, whatever…, will make it that much more enjoyable in the end…

Try this, trust me…

Bamer-

Why not be gay?

2009-11-19T16:09:00.000+01:00

Ok, ok, the title isn't the best, but at least it got you to read this far.. haha, ~~sucker~~.

No but to be serious for half a second, have you ever thought about being gay? Has this thought ever trickled into your mind or have you ever had a tiny urge to try? Watch, talk about it, whatever?

Before you start getting all these weird ideas in your head about why I could be possibly talking about this, let me explain a few things. First and foremost just think about any gay friends that you have or possibly have known through out your life or maybe ones that are still currently in it. Do bad thoughts come to mind or are you giggling because you are remembering how cool and laid back your buddy is.

Chances are you are smiling because probably a pretty high percentage of the ones you know are super cool and fun-loving, easy to get along with dudes. (I will talk from the gay standpoint and not the lesbian one, because I know more gay guys) These guys tend to be the ones that simply genuinely nice. They are normally gentlemen are always making you smile or laugh.

I got to hand it to them, first of all it's not that easy to come out of the closet in today's society where it's not particularly easy to do so. Not everyone is a gay lover and there are still quite a few gay-haters (making up words now) that are out there. I tip my hat to them, because not only do they have to come to grips with something that is not socially excepted, at least not right away and then on top of it they don't have as many potentional suitors to chose from. But even after all the adversity they tend to be cool dudes.

As was recently explained to me, "Gay guys have the best of both worlds, they are caring like a women but yet chilled out like a guy..." And after hearing this I couldn't help but not my head in total agreeance. I mean being gay is a pretty good mix of the desired traits from either sex. Cleaner, more dependable than most straight males, whether that is with actually cleaning or personal hygene, I believe in my experience it holds true. And yet they still have that respect and caring that normal so desire from women. Not a bad combo.

This blog isn't really about my lust to start batting for the other team but rather a simple observation about the switch-hitters of the world. Kudo's to them for going against the grain of society and being happy. I mean I don't have statistics in front of me, but I would be willing to guess that gay couples having lower divorce rates then heterosexual couples.That in itself says something.

Alright, enough of the random gay rant, but I just wanted to give a shout out to the "switch-hitters" of the world, keep on rockin it.

Next batter please...

Bamer~

Cultivate goodness

2009-11-18T22:02:00.005+01:00

As Luke stated, I'm "the new guy" around here. My focus tends to be on what I'd call "earthy spirituality." I draw hope and inspiration from what happens around us in our everyday lives and how we are all inter-connected.

As I look at my life and at the world around me, I sometimes struggle with the slowness of change. I get frustrated at the slow changes that take place to bring about help to the people who need a hand up in life. I get frustrated at the slow changes in our society for healthy priorities in politics.

And then I look at my own life, where change is often even more agonizingly slow. When I want to make changes in how I speak or act or think, I find that old habits die hard. It seems difficult to root out all the old, bad habits personally and societally. Awhile ago I re-read some thoughts that Martin Luther King wrote nearly 50 years ago, and which I find helpful for our day as well. King wrote: "Concentrate not on the eradication of evil but on the cultivation of virtue... Evil will not be driven out, but crowded out."

This has struck a chord for me. If we focus on the bad things happening around us, we become problem-centered. However, if we focus ourselves on nurturing goodness and mercy, then these positive attributes become the center of our lives. It becomes overwhelming for us to try to root out all the evils around us, and we can lose hope. However, if we focus our efforts on cultivating acceptance, generosity, and understanding in little ways together, we will make a difference! We will, in effect, crowd out evil. Jesus Christ did not get rid of sin and evil when he died on the cross nearly 2,000 years ago. However, He crowded out their power by displaying God's deep love for us. We still deal with the effects of sin and evil, but we have confidence that they will not have ultimate power for us.

This focus on cultivating virtue rather than on eradicating evil seems helpful to me. This focus on crowding out the power of evil by focusing on joy seems more open to the earthy lives we lead, and more hopeful and realistic about what we are able to do in our day. This focus on cultivating goodness can help us to see the assets in our lives and the world around us, and then work to improve and build on them. Let us resolve together to focus not solely on rooting out evil, but on nurturing and cultivating goodness!

New look, new rules...

2009-11-17T08:38:00.000+01:00

So I am looking around and all I see is cobwebs on here, yes I know it's been awhile since I have posted a blog, but I want to get back to it soon. You will continue to find the same humor and overall awesomeness in future blogs to come, I promise, but the next time it will be with new rules and a different perspective thrown into the mix.

What do I mean?

Well I want to introduce another auther on here: The Gust or T-blogger, or a number of different aliases, but either way there will be 2 different bloggers on this site.... muwahaha! Hopefully we can invoke even more discussion on here and bring more crazy views besides just my wacky ramblings.

Just a heads up for new things on the horizon, because a little variety is great. Maybe that's why we have different guys and girls that we ~~fuck, kiss, screw~~ date over the course of our crazy journeys.

Catch soon with more random rants.

Caio-

Being a guy

2009-10-21T13:15:00.002+02:00

You ever think about, regardless of if you are a male or female, what it’s like being a guy? I can speak from personal experience and I would just like to take a moment and explain a few reasons why it’s good to be a guy. Hopefully you will get a chuckle out of this, I know I did when I thought about a few things this morning when I got out of bed.

The “meh…attitude.”
What I mean by this is that guys have an uncanny ability to just say ‘meh’ about a lot of decisions we make on a daily basis. I know that women can do this too, but guys do this on a extremely regular basis in my opinion. Think of this, “what should I wear today?” Well we could put a great deal of time into this if we wanted to but we rarely do, at least outside of the metrosexuals on the world. “…This is a cool green shirt, and this orange hat fits nice so I’ll wear that while I rock out in my sweatpants… she shouldn’t mind, we are just going to a movie…” This is a conversation we have many times with ourselves. It’s the ‘meh’ attitude. Clean my room or play video games? Wow, did I even just have that thought pass through my head? Video games, next…

Peeing anywhere
Duuuuude, we can go to the bathroom whenever wherever we want to. Bathroom in a restaurant, no problem. In the corner of a crowded street on the side of a building, piece of cake. Fishing on a boat in the middle of lake while trying to aim that little guy into a plastic cup, simple. We are actually pretty handy with that little guy and I am happy everyday that I wake up and see that I still have a hose to use. Very multifunctional. Watch this!
How many times have you heard a guy say this? Haha, I just laugh thinking about the stupid stuff I did after a statement like this. Now flip that thought and think of how many girls compared to the number of guys you just pictured also say this? I would be surprised if you said half. Guys just like to do dumb things, we get cheap thrills out of bottle rockets, firecrackers, fast cars, things that make you hurt, etc. We are programmed as well to push any limit that we see. Speed limit, haha what is it again? Alcohol limit, we can drink well over that, in fact lets buy a breathalyzer to measure our progress. Do I need to say more?

Simple pleasures
Girls probably know what I mean when I say this. Guys can find pleasure anywhere.. (ohh, butterfly.. ahh where was I…?) How many times have you tried to talk to your guy and he is watching T.V.? And of those times how many times has he responded with an intelligent answer? The percentage is one that would probably represent the amount of PSI you need in your bike tire, not much. We get pleasure out of the dumbest things. Take, for example, a ball. Guys can play for hours upon hours with a ball and be completely content. We have sports designed around ever weird shaped ball in the world, I swear. (who made the wiffle ball anyways??)

I could make this list 100 pages long, but I just want to take a moment and remember why I love being a guy. All these stupid things make us who we are, and I wouldn’t change anything for the world.

Greetz-

Swiss Lacrosse Part 4

2009-09-25T14:49:00.003+02:00

Fast forward to the end of the season...

That team who started with their first ever victory this season in their 3rd game of the year ended up finishing 3-3 for the season, while showing massive improvements in stick, team and hustle. Their only loss, suffered after that first win against Basel was against Zurich, the reigning champions of this league (SLL) for the last 2 years running. This is actually only technically the 3rd season the Swiss Lacrosse League has been in existence so it's safe to say the powerhouse is Zurich.

The Herzogenbuchsee boys finished with an impressive dismantling of Fribourg 17-0, and another win against Bern 9-2 en route to their 3-3 finish on the season. Remember this is a team that didn't even think of winning more than maybe a game has come a long way, both on the field and off the field as you can really feel the chemistry starting to develop as the friendships get better and the skills hone in.

What once looked like just a bunch of guys has now started to turn into a hard-hitting, ground ball winning, fast team. They have had 4 games now under their belts and are hungry and awaiting the post season which is just around the corner. This will actually be the first post-season where they have a chance to play more than 1 game and out, and you can feel some of the excitement that is building up to the 1st playoff game that is scheduled against Bern.

Bern is probably one of the most hungry teams in the league that wants to beat the boys of Herzogenbuchsee, because Bern has been downed by the Herzogenbuchsee Iroquois team 3 times already in 2009. Once in league play and 2 times in a tournament where they squared off. The score for 2009 stands at H'buchsee 3 - Bern 0. The total goals for each team are H'buchsee 19 - Bern 7. With the closest of the games coming in a 3-1 victory for the Iroquois.

Either way it's setting to be a good first round match up where either team could walk off the field with their heads held high and their arms in the air as they are pretty evenly matched. Wish the team some luck, it's the next big test for the boys of H'buchsee.

Will be back to continue after the 1st playoff game...

[to be continued]

Awesome List Part 1

2009-09-24T10:22:00.005+02:00

Finding $20 under your seat when you finally decide it's time to clean your car, awesome!

Girlfriend comes over when your out doing something and she cleans your room and then decides the dishes need to be cleaned too, awesome!

Mom sends a care package filled with candy and cash when you're at school, awesome!

You just beat Call of Duty 4 on PS3, awesome!

Girlfriend calls to tell you she loves you after she was surprised to see the flowers you sent her, regardless that you didn't actually send them and there was a mix-up, awesome!

Gas drops 25 cents in one day, awesome!
Sale on your favorite chocolate at the store, awesome!

Girlfriend finds a sale on new lingerie, wears them later that night and shows you, awesome!

Road head, awesome!

You are a girl and your tire blows out on your car in the middle of nowhere, but just as you think 'fuck' and get out of your car a hot guy stops by to change it for you and offers to take you to dinner later, awesome!

That's my first list of awesome things. I will continue this and hopefully you have some awesome things that you could add to the list? Let me know if you liked the first list or if it at least made you giggle?

Have an awesome day!

Jealousy, it's here to stay...

2009-09-22T15:46:00.003+02:00

The feeling of jealousy, where does it come from? Why does it creep into our thoughts and sneak up on us when we least expect it? It's like a lingering bad guy that just waits and waits and waits, hoping for the right moment to show itself comes along. It's the bad guy that you love to hate, the one that is truly 'unwelcome'.

We all have this feeling programmed into our brains and hardwired into our systems better than a mother board into it's computer. We actually can't really get rid of it, only suppress it. However there are some of us who express feeling no jealousy at all, but these are the lucky few. Jealousy is something that is seen at a very young age in children even. Think of a 2 year old when they realize that they are about to have a baby sister, or when they finally think about having to share their toys, food, or even their own mother with another baby. This is why we need to teach children at such a young age to share toys, their mother, their fathers, etc.

Jealousy is something that is reinforced in society and even sometimes put on a pedestal. We back jealousy by saying to everyone, "Look.. there is a soul mate out there for you and you will find them..." Give me a break, seriously? We set up jealousy on a silver platter, no wonder people get jealous when they think they found Ms. Perfect. I would be protective as well if I thought there was one and ONLY one out there. (By the sarcasm in my voice you can tell I don't believe in this all that much, understatement) In fact I can take this one step further, we even justify jealousy in our society. I read about some old court cases in Texas that involved a man killing his wife for cheating on him and he wasn't found guilty for murder?? How does that work? Obviously things have changed a bit and today he would have been accused of murder, but still, that was only back in the 1970's.

Jealousy is not a rational impulse folks, but it is a human one. It is thought of by some researchers as a primitive feeling, one that helps explain the fight or flight instinct we have programmed in us, which originally came from a time when safety and survival were scarce. But I don't really want to go in that direction concerning jealousy.

I want to talk about jealousy in and of itself and the fact that it has and will always be there. It will wait for a moment to rear it's ugly head and take control of you in the littlest ways by eating at you. Maybe you catch an extra glance or a small hug that lingers a bit too long? Then instantly that thought pops into your head that something could be going on and you start entertaining the idea. Why do you do this though? Before you know it you start getting angry and making small comments and stupid remarks all because of this tiny feeling of jealousy, despite everything pointing the other direction. Yes jealousy can get you all messed up, so the best thing to do is to try and stay rational, to try and not act upon emotion or instantaneously pass judgement. Take a breath, relax, let the jealousy monster pass, because more often than not it's not worth it.

And jealousy isn't something you are going to avoid and it's not about how or when it happens, but it's how you deal with it that does.

Last point, the thing that can combat this feeling is trust. We need trust and have to have it, it helps control the feeling of jealousy...

Trust me...

[end rant]

Ciao~

Women: The curse

2009-09-21T10:32:00.005+02:00

Women are great, they are remarkable and they can get men to do amazing things. We would go to the "moon and back" for women or try to accomplish the impossible, with certain failure being inevitable. But if you look at the flip side, they can drag us to the depths of hell with the most innocent of looks, the tiniest kiss or the flirtatious batting of the eyes. Women can even commit crimes without even lifting a finger, hell we do it for them... all they have to do is ask.

Every guy knows it's true and everyone has had an instance where they have gone against all morals, all good reasoning and judgement to do something for a girl. I can't even tell you the amount of times where a 'cute look' has gotten me to do something stupid for a girl. It's not even like we have to do it for love or because we need too, we do it because "she" asked. I mean tell that to the judge when you get caught for stealing a rose from someones garden, all just to impress a girl.

I would like to say that we think with our heads most of the time, but with women for sure we think with the wrong head 85% of the time when doing these stupid things. Men are dumb, dumb creatures at times and we can be persuaded to do even stupider things when asked by a cute girl.

Girls will for sure shave their legs, starve themselves, dress cute for us, but guys will lie, steal, cheat, murder and even give our right 'you know what' for you.

[...but I still like them..]

Swiss Lacrosse Part 3

2009-09-10T13:06:00.003+02:00

Down.....Set....... *whistle*

The first faceoff was a clean win for us, not a bad way to start. We moved the ball down the field and got everything settled down by working the ball around the outside perimeter. There was a comfortable feeling already taking over, even after the first minute and the guys seemed excited to be playing and even more so to deploy their newly acquired skills that they had learned over the previous 1.5 months.

A few more passes, a pick here and there and the game started to open up for us in the offensive zone. A few guys had some early open looks, but nothing found the back of the net. The confidence at this point was building and you could feel it, I mean even the 30 or so fans that turned up were started to get a bit excited. You could tell that the guys had raised the bar and the expectations of the team were somehow nothing less than a victory for this game against Basel. I don't think the guys wanted to settle for less...

A few more changes of possession happened, our defense stood tall, and then finally after about 9 minutes of play there was a quick play from up top to a down low cutter by the crease and the ball flew past the goalie, top right, for a quick 1-0 score. There was a big celebration on the field as this team wasn't really known for it's scoring capabilities prior to this game. (3 or 4 goals total the entire season up to this point)

Herzogenbuchsee seemed to get a huge lift from that first goal and it never seemed to let up. The next faceoff was a clean win again, in fact I don't think Basel had won a single one the whole day? Today wasn't about Basel, it was about the Iroquois H'buchsee boys showing themselves that they were better than what the 2 previous years had shown, and the score quickly showed it. After one quarter it was 4-0 in favor of the Iroquois. That was equal to their entire years total with all the other games combined.

The next 2 quarters went by extremely fast with only a few penalties from each side creating the stoppages. I just kept telling the guys to keep giving it 110%, don't stop, every ball is ours and we were going to make sure we didn't give them a chance to get back into the game. Perhaps it was a bit much to tell them to keep putting them in the net, but the guys earned the right in my eyes to show what they could do, to show what they had learned.

9-2 after 3 quarters, the guys could feel the upper hand that they had at this point. All they had to do keep up the same intensity and hang on for one more quarter and they would have their first victory of their clubs existence. A pretty good feat for a group of guys that just thought this sport looked cool a couple years earlier and decided one day to buy some sticks...

The last quarter was a good one and hard fought, but it was obvious what the outcome was going to be as Basel slowly got out-hustled to the ground balls and in turn watch their chances to win the game slip away.

*whistle* game over... end score 14-2 in favor of the home team. Happy faces all around, hugs, handshakes and a job well done.

Finally I felt a big relief and deep breath find it's way out of my lungs. The first test was over, but it was just the beginning...

(To be continued)

Swiss Lacrosse Part 2

2009-09-08T14:02:00.005+02:00

August 9th, 2009.

My first game with the team since I took over coaching Herzogenbuchsee Lacrosse in Switzerland. It was the first real test my boys were going up against since I had tried to teach them the basics of this sport and the basics of team play and camaraderie. It was the the first test for me as a trainer, the game had a whole bunch of meanings for me. I was filled with a whole bunch of different emotions as we took the field and started to warm up before the game. Technically we had been at the field for 3 hours already setting everything up, but now people were starting to show up and I was starting to feel the butterflies in my stomach and the anticipation growing from within.

Was a cool feeling overall and nothing like what I had previously felt before. I mean I had never been a "full-time coach" before. I had simply been a helper and an assistant, someone who could help teach but more or less be there to support the coaches wishes. So to me this day had a completely different feel, a feeling of a true reflections on what I had taught the boys over the last 1.5 months or so that we had to prepare for this game.

-I hoped everything I taught them sunk in?

-I hope they remembered everything and didn't let their own emotions get the best of them?

-How was this game going to turn out?

Lots of questions were going to be answered by the end of the day, that was for sure. I half wondered if the boys even knew how to win? I mean they had experienced 2 seasons worth of games without a single win. I mean, sure they had scored some goals, but mostly they had been slaughtered by the other teams in the league. Basically if you had a coach and could throw and catch the ball with a little bit of togetherness and understood some plays, then you could beat the Herzogenbuchsee Lacrosse team.

Either way there was nothing more I could do about it now, it was game day, they needed to do it on their own and win for themselves. Just had to apply some of the basics I taught them and they would be alright. Or so I hoped?

Basically the pregame warm up went well and the pre-game prep talk went like this below, however I had to say it in my half-German-half-Swiss slang that I had acquired as there was very few English speakers on the team...

I have a few goals for us guys:

1) Hustle, 110% always

2) Mentality, "Win every ground ball.."

3) Have some fun and play as team, watch each others backs.

And with those three points being said it was already time for the opening faceoffs...

...was I ready?

(To be continued...)

Swiss Lacrosse part 1

2009-09-03T09:19:00.001+02:00

Lacrosse: A sport that is relatively unknown in Switzerland, but is starting to grow at a rapid pace. A sport of high intensity, filled with big hits, fast shots and full body contact.

This sport is one that I started coaching about 4 months ago in Switzerland and one that I have loved every minute of. Picture this: A group of around 6-10 guys on a regular basis that are trying to throw this little round pellet around as fast as they can without any real indication of which way is actually correct and which way is not. Then enters this American who doesn’t really have much experience, just a little more than a year or so in the states playing Lacrosse, and decides that he wants to help these guys learn to play as a team and not 10 individuals trying to put the ball in the net themselves.

I was definitely not an expert at this sport, but I have a real passion and love for team sports and was fortunate enough to play many team sports growing up in high school and in college. Starting with hockey when I was only 3 years old, which I still play today, along with American football among other sports.

I have had a lot of chances to teach kids before, but never really a full on chance to coach a bunch of guys around the similar age of myself. I mean what could I teach people in America, especially people my same age? Well here it’s different; the concept of team sports isn’t explained as well to them. I see many Europeans as individuals before I see them as a team. The concepts are known, but they don’t practice them, and I know for experience that these are things you need to learn and re-learn to really understand them.

So that was my chance to teach these Swiss guys about Lacrosse. I was bound and determined to take this little Herzogenbuchsee Lacrosse team, which had never won a game before in their team history, and make something out of them. I mean just by looking around that first day I could see that there was talent in the room, but no leadership or any concept of what the word “team” really meant. I mean when you work together it’s amazing what you can accomplish.

To be continued……….

Break in Technology

2009-08-24T14:34:00.004+02:00

Finally back after an extended vacation where I got to hang out with the coolest guy in the world.... my dad.

Anyways I was just chilling minding my own business being cool and writing some emails when I got a work related email from a colleague that got me thinking about technology and age and more specifically how they relate. Now this gentleman is about 55 or so and is in the generation above me which means that we have a lot of differing features in the way we read, write, speak, etc. and I think most people would agree that there are huge difference from generation to generation. And after reading this email, for me, that was ever so evident.

While reading this email I got this feeling that this person was extremely angry with someone else, (not me, I was just copied on it) but when I talked to the individual that wrote it he kind of chuckled and laughed explaining that it wasn't supposed to be in an angry tone at all.. I kind of looked puzzled as I thought back to what he had wrote and the tone in which I felt it was written in. Hmm, really was he that oblivious to how the email read?

You can probably all think of a friend that you know that doesn't write emails all that much or writes in one sentence formats, and sometimes that is too much. I have seen as little as 3 or less word answers and the author behind these emails generally thinks that is enough to answer the 4 questions you wrote to them above. Really??

Now email has a many advantages such as; response time, quicker than writing, fast delivery, etc. But there are also disadvantages which include; the inability to always express the tone of your writing (especially if you from an older generation), lost emails or intercepted ones, falsely written email addresses, etc. I mean think about it, we are long overdue for someone to make a "sarcasm color rule," I mean why can't someone make a rule that when you are joking you need to write your comment in green. Pretty simple eh?

Anyways just wanted to chat a bit about the inability for some people to communicate successfully the way they want to through the Internet. For me it's easy to see a generational gap which lines up quite nicely to way people can or can't write emails.

Get with the times old people.... geeez. :P

Imagination 2.0

2009-08-05T10:51:00.003+02:00

It’s 1988, you are still just a little tyke and you are walking around wearing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle underwear and superman T-shirts covered in ketchup stains. You are sitting in the sandbox playing with your Tonka truck, big yellow style bulldozing toys. Thinking about digging your way to China crosses your mind a few times, but at this age it’s not China, it’s your grandma’s house as you don’t know much else. You start to make noises in your head and mimic the sounds that you think the trucks are supposed to make, it comes out of your mouth in changing pitches of “brrrmmm” and “pshhh” as you push the toy back and forth and make them crash into each other. You have this whole imaginary world going on in your head where everything makes sense, and if it doesn’t who cares, you just assign some imaginary thing to whatever it is that you don’t understand and go along playing some more.

Life is great, life is easy, life is, as explained by Forrest Gump, “Like a box of chocolates, you never know what yer gunna get..” But at this age it doesn’t matter what you get because you are happy with it. And if you don’t have something you want you just make it up in your head with your imagination and go from there. Simple. Easy. Imaginative.

Where does this skill of being imaginative go when we get older? Where does the feeling of being able to be happy with whatever it is that someone sets in front of you go? We seem to lose it, but why?

Is it because we get older and reality hits us? Because we have bills to pay and work to do and the strain of everyday life or everyday realisms hit us like a ton of bricks? We possibly start to trick ourselves that only things that are monetary can bring us happiness. We need to buy this motorcycle or this car to be happy. The trip to the Maldives is the only ways that I would be able to get some relief from everyday life, etc. Why is that, why do we get into this type of rut?

It seems as though the “simply happinesses” that we were once accustomed to having every minute of everyday are now no more. We can’t imagine anymore about digging in the sandbox and trying to get to grandma’s house. Logic seems to get in the way and we know it’s not actually possible and if it was, it sure isn’t realistic. At least not unless you have a tunnel drilling machine. So with that being said, does that mean that we have become too smart to imagine things for happiness? Or the only way we can use our imagination for happiness is for a quick joke or if we are possibly a great inventor?

Who knows, I am just to get to the bottom of one aspect of people being happy because of reasons that don’t revolve around money, physical property or beauty. It seems it’s quite hard to do, especially if you cut out family and friends. Can we be happy by ourselves?

Just something to munch on during your hump day……

The Nickname

2009-07-30T10:24:00.007+02:00

You ever thought about 'nicknames' before?

Like what's in a nickname or where do they come from or why do we give them to people?

When I start to think back to some of the nicknames we games to people alot of them were indicative of the type of person that we, we being his friends, perceived him as. My group of friends would pick names that were quite obvious most of the time and it was pretty easy for an outsider to figure out why we called someone "Stoney." Or why we called someone else "Whiskey."

But then you have those names which really don't make any sense to an outsider. They are names like "E" or "Turtle" or maybe even "Sally" for another friend. At first you might guess that the first guy likes drugs and the second guy is always slow or late. While the second nickname does hold true, these are actually nicknames from a hip HBO TV series 'Entourage'. (BTW if you haven't seen it, you are missin ' out)

So you have your 'quite clear' nicknames that are self explanatory, then you have your nicknames that are only explainable through a story, but then you also have your third kind which are the ones that are extensions of existing names. (Kind of like Bamer for me, as my last name is Bame) Outside of these three reasons there aren't too many other explanations for nicknames, unless they are pet names from girlfriends or your mom still likes to call you 'peanut' or something, even though you are 6'2'' and weigh in at over 200lbs. :)

Now that we know where they come from a bit, I want to ask the question, "why do we give them to people?"

I think it could be because we want to personalize these important people in our lives and in our inner circles. We want to make them 'ours' so-to-speak. I think we name our friends and family member differently because it places them in a higher status in our own lives. I mean lets be honest, you aren't going to call some friend "flipper" unless you know him really well and you would do anything for him, and vice versa. These silly little names we use stand for more than just some cheap amusement, but they stand for a symbol of some sorts. A symbol that says that they belong in our circle and that they are our friends. And they show that you have a good bond with that person.

What do you think? Why do you think we give people nicknames? Just for fun or for some other subliminal reasons.

The Metro

2009-07-22T22:53:00.003+02:00

Two definitions of a Metro below. Both are quite different, I even think one was written by a metro? Check it out.

1) me·tro·sex·ual [ mèttrō sékshoo əl ] (plural me·tro·sex·uals)

Definition: young straight stylish urban man: a young, straight, sensitive urban man who is unashamed to enjoy good clothes, stylish living, the art of decorating, and improving his personal appearance ( informal ) [mid-20th century.]

2) Definition: A metro sexual is a man who is meticulous about his appearance. He is always in fashion and very well groomed. Some people mistake a metro sexual for a gay guy.

Above are two definitions for the same 'type' of guy. One dictionary depicts it as a guy that is looking to where good clothes and be well groomed. Well what the fuck, that means that I am a metro as well then? I find this definition to have many holes in which doesn't create a very good stance of which to logical have an argument about what is or what isn't because most men would argue that they fit those above points, no?

And the second definition talks about a fashionable, well groomed man that people think is gay. So what are you trying to tell me here, that if I like to look good and care about my clothes that I am a metro and most likely the majority of people peg my sexuality as being homo-istic? Give me a break.

To me both of these definitions are quite problematic, and raise the question of "what is really a metro sexual?" Perhaps you can think of a better definition? Maybe if you change the words of the first definition and add 'in excess' to it, then I could see that one being a bit more correct and having less problems.

Either way, this isn't the point to my random thoughts. Which were brought up when I read a blog about douche bags today from a friend, but that's a whole other topic for another day. :) Today we will keep it on metros and not on the d-bags.

What I wanted to talk about was how there seems to be more and more metros out there nowadays. I see more males with better looking outfits than the women then ever before. I see males with more 'bling' (rings, necklaces, bracelets, etc) then I had previously in the last 3 years combined. These guys must spend at least 2 hours in the mirror before they are ready to go out?

And these metros are getting help from the stores, it's not like they are hand making these $300 dollar jeans by themselves. They go out and buy them at designer shops that pride themselves and making guys look like models/accessory magnets/girls, etc. These stores can price their shirts so high because they know that the metros have money and will dish it out willingly in order to get that shirt with pink strips and a picture of Alice in wonderland on the front. Is that actually fashionable or bit too metro, 'too' meaning a bit on the gay looking side like the second definition above explains? I don't know, you be the judge?

Metro sexuals have lots of money normally, that's how they can afford their expensive shopping habits and their massive amounts of hair gel, not too mention their affection for the most expensive shoes. (Move over girls, your shoe collection my not be the biggest anymore..)

Other guys are out spending money on beer while these metros buy green vodka-red bulls. They smoke cigarettes in an almost 'sexual' way, and you will constantly see them disappear into the restroom to see if their hair still looks good.. AS if the 10kgs of hair gel would let it move?

There is a big plus though in being a metro. You definitely don't have a shortage of girls around, especially the dumb ones that can be persuaded by money easily and eat up your bullshit like its a 4-course meal. You will always see them with other metros as typical guys can't normally handle more than one in their group. (Because for sure he will steal all the girls with his half buttoned shirt and tight jeans, I suppose dropping money like it grows on trees helps?)

Let me know if you notice an ever growing population of metros? I see this in Europe, Switzerland, America, almost everywhere I have been. I am not writing this to say I don't like them but rather that I see more and more of them. It's almost like they multiple right in front of my eyes..

Anyways, check out and see if the next guy that orders a vodka red bull is a metro, chances are he is. And if he doesn't look like it, he probably is a wannabe.. (He just needs a bit of encouragement)

Good night from Switzerland...

Bamer-

Life and Friends

2009-07-18T11:43:00.004+02:00

We meet so many people along this crazy road called, "life." We have huge highs and lows along the way and there is never a shortage of friends that are along for the ride as well. Some only jump on the train for a bit, but some how manage to have an impact on you like no other. While others jump on for the whole trip and these are the ones who are always there for us and love the journey, the beer and the friendship that you provide each other. We need these people, we need them so much it's unreal.. Make sure you appreciate them, and that you are appreciated back, but most of all just enjoy the ride.. because the ride wouldn't be the same without them riding shotgun. And the ride won't last forever, we all get off eventually.

Take pictures, welcome new friends and cherish the old ones, and make new experiences everyday of your life. Don't ever let it get dull and remember that you and your friends can make life as good as you want to, it's entirely up to you...

[turns off reggae music and proceeds to 'puff puff pass'..]

Stress Level Meter

2009-07-17T10:58:00.006+02:00

I have been doing a bit of thinking about this topic lately and a few questions have raised. So I decided to post a few of them below concerning our: Stress Level Meter?

So do you think we have one of these? Do you think that all of us are given some imaginary number inside our brains that is our limit and that dictates how much stress we can handle at any given time? And if pushed over that limit, that's when shjt hits the fan? Who knows, but it's interesting to contemplate.

So I am sitting here (being super cool), and I am wondering what must happen in order for us to finally let the stress in our lives 'get to us'? Do you think that each little thing that happens throughout the day adds to our stress level and once we reach a critical point we break? I mean for example, maybe there is a point system that our body makes up that is catered only to us? Because we both know that certain thinks 'irk' us more than other things... Here, let's make up an imaginary point system. (Maybe even add a few in there yourself?)

[Based on a 100 point system]

Stress Contributors:

Spilled coffee on lap: 2 points
Locked keys in the car: 11.5 points
Forgot to do the laundry: 4 points
No sex for a month: 3 points
break your favorite pair of heels: 14 points
You're sick: 57 points (You are basically already starting ever day that stressed/mad)
Too much work at work: 18 points
Someone fails to come through on a promise: 25 points
Your Internet connection doesn't work for a day: 31 points
Boyfriend gets his 5th speeding ticket and has spend the weekend in jail: 100 points

You can start to see where I am going with this. Everything is given a point system and how each one affects you is different from person to person. Maybe you don't get that mad when you are sick or when you lock your keys in the car? But I know I do. (In fact, Who knows, but either way it all adds up until it gets to that breaking point.

Now think about this in the other direction. Is there such a thing as stress relievers? Maybe certain things relieve the stress that we have throughout a normal day? Here is another list of examples that could potentially be stress reducers.

Stress Reducers:

Favorite coffee in the morning: -2 points
No traffic on the drive in to work: -10 points
Boyfriend bought you surprise roses: -40 points
You ate your favorite food for lunch: -4 points
Gas prices went down: -4.5 points
Just scored 2 free tickets to see your favorite band: -17 points
Girls/Guys night out this coming Friday: -55 points
Bought a new pair of jeans: -22.5 points
Sex: -68 points
Awesome sex:-120 points :P
You won an all paid trip to Hawaii for a week: -1,000 points

So you can see again that this internal S.L.M. can be affected in both ways. You can lower it by eating some chocolate or taking a run for lunch, but you can also affect it the other way by stepping in mud when you are on your run... ticks me off. :)

I personally think we have one of these and all those imaginary points get added up before you finally need to do something about it, before you explode. I think that we all operate with some level of stress everyday, but it's more important to control that level and manage it, than the actual fact that we have it. Being more stressed puts a strain on every part of your life as well, it certainly makes the other parts of your life suck more. Maybe it makes it so you don't want to get down & dirty that night with your significant other, or you aren't "in the mood" to go do something that you normally LOVE to do. Who knows?

Either way this S.L.M. needs to be taken care of and managed quite closely, and you need to decide when you should boost it back into a managable level, because if we don't manage it well we will have more of those 'wished I would have stayed in bed' days. :P

Just a short rant.

Can't wait for the weekend, -60 points!

The Humble Line

2009-07-10T13:42:00.003+02:00

I have had many conversations regarding being humble vs. egotistic. Being good and confident in what you do and being cocky. Obviously one side is better to be on than the other. And you would rather have someone think of you as humble than egotistic and the same goes for confident or cocky, right?

Now there seems to be a lot of grey area on this subject, the middle ground seems to be quite large as to when you cross the line and when you haven't. When you start to gloat about how good you are, or were, as opposed to just confident and good at what you do, or have done in the past.

I think this grey area is definable and at least able to narrow down the subject of being humble or cocky a bit more. And what I mean by that is that this grey area is completely subjective to each person in the way that it is defined by his or her own definition of egotistical vs. humble. This didn't become apparent to me until I had a conversation last week about what someone else viewed as egotistic and not confident, and that their view was completely different than my own. We used an example about another person and how good they were at a particular sport. (should be easy for everyone to relate to this) I thought this person was good at what they did and were also confident that they played it well. Where as my counter-arguer thought the other person was being egotistical because they knew they were better and acted as such. (Basically they liked to talk about the good games they had with others)

This is where I started to think about why some people put alot more people in the ego category than in the humble category. It's almost as if some people refrain from using the word humble to describe someone for only a select few? The chosen extreme humble ones, and that all the other ones got thrown into the grey area or all the way into the ego category. What's up with that? I felt as though it was a mild attack on people with confidence. And more so that if you knew you were good at something you couldn't be confident in it... or you run the risk of looking cocky or over confident.

Where is that grey line again?

So I started to think a bit more about this and one of my friends told me the other day that their definition of egotism vs confidence is simple. It's like this: Confidence is when you are good at something and know it, but don't use that to make yourself more superior than others. You don't tell others that you are better than someone else because you are better at a certain sport, photography, cooking, etc. If you know it, that's cool, and it's even cool to share your big victories and good things you have done or even won, but as soon as you start to think that you are better than another person, (possibly someone who is less gifted) then that's where it crosses into egotistical. When you think you are a better 'person' because of your god given talent, etc. That's when it crosses from one side to another.

And to me that was a good explanation and definition of confident vs. humble. I don't think you should ever suppress the victories you have achieved or the goals or events you have won, but I also don't think that you should make others feel inadequate that you can do one thing better than them. It should more sharing than a 'look at me' festival.

Maybe the difference is talking about it vs. gloating about it? Or maybe you know a person that always has to be first and never wants to show a weakness? It could even be in the way you say it? I don't know, but either way there is a fine line between being humble and being egotistical, and I think how you define the two is ultimately going to lead to what side you will be on when listening to someone else's story about the game winning goal they scored.

My question: Do you find more people egotistical or just plain confident? And is your view a reflection on you? (Maybe you are less fortunate at sports, so when you see a good athlete and they talk about how well they did, you feel a bit jealous? Just a thought)

-----------

And just as a side note, have you ever had the girl or guy that comes around and just looks for the compliments that they know you will dish out time and time again? Why do we always tell them good job, or tell them how good they look? Some of us are really good ego 'strokers' at times.. oops.

Baby love

2009-07-06T15:33:00.006+02:00

How is it going?

I hope you are kickin off your week in a good way, and I hope you enjoyed a happy 'Independence Day', if you are an American. :) I didn't hear about too many firecracker accidents.

Anyways, I wanted to write a quick blurb today about babies and this ever growing feeling that people around the age of 22-35 or so have. And I know you know what this feeling is. Let's just call it, 'baby love'.

It's that feeling of wanting a baby. (If you haven't already had a few that is) You get to this age and you start looking at babies and thinking of how cute they are and how bad you want to have one for your own. This feeling is normal and it's instinctual. We are no different than any other animal out there, in the way that we want to reproduce and have some offspring.

But this feeling inside seems to start to hit full stride between this time period. Maybe a bit earlier for some and later for others, but either way it's something we all want to do. Alot of times you hear women talking about their 'internal clocks' and that they are ticking. This is that ticking that they are talking about. And I am hear to tell you that guys have these damn 'clocks' too. In fact I feel like I can't turn it off sometimes, but rather just change the station in my head. I mean I can't tell you how much I have thought about making a 'mini me' from time to time.

I know you can sit there and think, "Well then make one.." But it's not as easy as it sounds. Life puts alot of roadblocks in the way first. Here is a quick list below to show you want I mean.

Roadblocks:

-Finding the right girl/guy (This one is huge)

-Making sure you are ready (physically, financially, etc.)

-Being able to.. (It's not a given that you even can?? wtf??)

These are just a few but as you can see, it's not so easy to just pop a few kids out. More so I mean it's hard to do it the 'normal' way.. (normal being used in the sense of marriage/partnership, career, house, etc, before you finally have a kid) But if you want to bypass this, I am sure you can run to the local 'whore house' and make a whole in the condom?? (Let's hope you didn't actually consider that) I just shuddered...

Anyways, why do we get these 'baby love' feelings? Why do we have such an instinctual urge to reproduce? And is this controllable, because I have some friends who never want to have a baby... How do they control this urge? (Maybe they hate sex?) I dunno, but either way, this 'baby love' feeling can be killer at times.

Did I just write that?? Must be getting older...

Fake happiness?

2009-07-02T14:15:00.004+02:00

I recently had a friend send me a link to a YouTube video that talked about how we should try to be happier. About how this will help everyone, and not only ourselves. Of course we will see the most benefits from being happy, but it also affects everyone around us. Anyways I found quite interesting and I wanted to share my views on 'faking happiness'.

There was a blurb about faking happiness and if we could, and I want to weigh in here and give my opinion on why I think the speaker was right. I think we can fake happiness and not only that, but I think we are really good at it. We actually do it all the time in our everyday lives. We are damn good actors if you think about it. And I have a few examples to prove it.

1) Dad says, "If you are good, we will go and get ice cream later.." Now I know all of us have heard this or something similar at least a few times when we were kids. And, at least in my case, you better believe that no matter if I was sick, tired, mad or whatever I was going to be really good for that next hour so I could get me some a dat chocolate ice cream I was always craving. So this meant that I faked being good or happy.

2) You hate to work with Mr. A-hole at work, but you know you have to and on this particular day you have a meeting with him about some new 'thing' you want to change/improve/etc. Now normally you avoid him or just keep everything extremely brief, but this time because he has the final say on something you want, you fake happy towards him. (Not to mention you were faking happy every time you saw him in the hallway or wherever at work) I know everyone has had a boss before and faked happy to him or her.

3) Your are going to the movies and the person at the counter selling the tickets is really slow. You have been waiting for 15 minutes or so and the movie is going to start in 7 minutes and you don't even have popcorn. Not only does this make you mad and irritated, but you know the reason it's taking so long is because of this one person. But instead of you getting up there and sayin, "what the hell??" You simply roll up there and mumble, "2 tickets to Transformers 2." More or less just thankful to get the tickets as quickly as possible so you can get your butt in the theatre.

So out of those 3 above I am sure most of you reading this have done at least 2 of them. But why do we do it? Why do we fake happy? And if we are so good at it, why do we do it only when we want something? Why not all the time? I mean if the whole world was a bit happier don't you think it would be a lot more fun to live in? I do.

Before I answer those questions, how about I pose another one?

Do you think that if you 'act' or if you 'fake' happy that your actions or behaviors can shape your feelings? To explain further, do you think you can make yourself feel better by just faking your happiness?

Woo-wee, I know I am asking a bunch of questions and laying it on thick, but how about you give me your feedback and tell me what you think? Can we fake happy? Can it affect our real feelings if we do it long enough? And lastly, should we?

I know that sometimes I do. I know that I am a pretty jolly guy most of the time and that I am happier because of my faked happiness at times. (Not saying I am a fake'r or anything, but you get my point. Or at least I am not a fake'r like some women can be in bed... haha... that was just a joke, hope you don't need to fake it)

Anyways, throw me your thoughts.

Ciao~

The Feeling of "New"

2009-06-26T14:00:00.004+02:00

Just a short tidbit today, but I wanted to talk about the feeling you get inside when you get, see or touch (for that matter) something new. But to make things simple we will talk about 'new' in the sense of a 'thing' or an object.

It's great, you get excited even before you have this thing in your hands. You can't stop smiling and you get all giddy and happy. Maybe this thing was something that you have waited for, for a long time. Maybe it was something that happened to a be an impulse buy and you are waiting on the shipping guy to stop at your door with the delivery. Either way it's new and you are excited.

This thing can't seemingly be in your hands fast enough and you can barely contain yourself, not to mention you have probably already told all your friends about it. Twice!

But when this thing comes and you can see it for the first time, you are so happy it's almost unbelievable that an object/toy/thing can cause you so much joy. For once you don't care much about being materialistic, because what the hell, you deserve it and you wanted it. And now it's finally here. The waiting is over, the anticipation has finally come to a halt and you are ecstatic.

You get your thing and immediately you deem it the 'coolest thing ever' and you go around and show all your friends. They think it's cool too, but they are more or less just happy that you are so happy. Almost to the point that they giggle and point at you. Whatever.. you don't care, it's yours and you are happy, so that's all that matters. Muwahahaha!

Usually things of this nature don't happen often and fall into the less meaningful more need than a want category. But when these new things come along... it's awesome.

So without talking about it further, here is my 'new' thing. (below) :D <---- they don't make these smiley faces big enough.

Love your 'new things'!

A simple word

2009-06-24T11:13:00.005+02:00

A simple word that so many people on this earth forget. It's a word that means alot and people sometimes only need to hear it. I think the world would actually be a heckava lot better if it was used more, and that word is "Thanks."

We do things for others all the time, and other people do tasks and little things for us as well, but we need to remember to say thank-you to these people. It's so simple and it's so easy to say it, and more often than not it's the only thing that your friends or family want to hear after doing something for you.

So why, may I ask, do we forget to say it?

I don't know? Sometimes I think it slips our minds and we are in a rush and have 15 other things going on at the same time, but for whatever reason, we forget it. This is a horse shjt reason, but you see what this can start if you do forget? The person ALWAYS remembers that you didn't say 'thanks' or that you didn't seem grateful for the thing that you accomplished for them. And that's a big problem. It's a downward spiral. Maybe after the first time they let it slip, maybe even a few times they continue to help you when you need it, but eventually they will realize that you 'take them for granite' and they will dispose of you or move on, or even worse, simply stop doing anything for you and stop being someone you can rely on. (meaning you simply lose something solid to stand on that you had obviously become a bit dependent on at times.)

And this all started from one little word, one tiny phrase which carries enormous weight when you look at it from the side of what happens when you DON'T say it.

So say it more often than not. Say it 3 or 4 times when someone does something for you. It's better to say it too many times, (even though I think that's impossible) than to say it, not enough times. The people around you need to know that you appreciate them and everything they have done for you. All the time sacrificed or money spent, etc. So let them know.. They will be happy to hear it.

I promise.

[end rant]

Knockin it out of the park

2009-06-23T08:44:00.003+02:00

You ever get that feeling of ecstasy, that moment when you know you just rocked out at something. Maybe you just scored the game winning goal for your hockey team or you just aced an exam? Or maybe you just cooked a kick-ass meal and everyone i s congratulating you on a wonderful meal? Who knows, but either way you get an immediate 'high' following these moments. A feeling that you just killed it, and knowing that there was no one else who could have done it the way you just did.

These feelings are great and a bit empowering. You get overtaken with emotion and it feels good. You want to share your test score with your friends and let them know how proud of yourself you are, and if they care they will be ecstatic with you and be overjoyed right next to you. And this just only intensifies the 'high'.

When you know you did something to the max and it feels good, then share it with the people around you and remember how it feels so you can visit that feeling again soon. Pat yourself on the back and let yourself know that it was a good day. And most of all smile, because these moments don't come along often. That is of course unless you simply kick-ass all the time.

Just a quick note, keep rockin out..!

Caio~

Personal Brand: You

2009-06-17T11:25:00.003+02:00

First off, I love this topic, and I would like to point out that all of us at times are either building or tearing down our own personal brand, all the time. But what we need to learn is, not how to tear or destroy it, but how to continue building it and creating more equity and trust in ourselves, from other people's point of view, which will create a stronger brand, "YOU." I also like to encourage people to build their personal brands as well. But before I get into it, I need to explain what our personal brand is?

Your brand is your reputation, as seen through the eyes of your 'clients', etc. A personal brand is a promise of the value your clients will receive. (Clients can be your friends, family, business related, or just about anyone you meet) In an amazingly complex and competing world--where it's increasingly hard to know what's real and what's not--having your customers not only acknowledge but support the promise of your brand is the key to building a thriving business or personal brand.

Who cares? Why do we build a personal brand anyways, what is it good for? Well these are good questions or questions that people may ask or want help with answering the 'why question'. Below is a list of why we try to build a brand:

Brands have a number of strategic functions, enabling you to:

- Differentiate yourself from your competition, it creates a unique YOU.
- Position your focused message in the hearts and minds of your audience, friends, etc. Let them know what they are getting when they are friends with you.
- The way you act and react to people should reflect your personal brand.
- Deliver your message clearly and quickly, it shouldn't be 'murky' as to who you are.
- Create strong loyalty with your friends and family, they know what to expect from you every time no matter what.

If you establish a place of trust and relevance in others' minds, you're already in the door. The more people that believe in your brand (believe in you), the more it will spread throughout your network, etc. without your pushing. If your brand is clear, distinctive, and easily understood, and expresses a unique, compelling benefit that people believe in, it will bring you many people towards you, business related or personal related.

To summarize what I mentioned above, I want to say that building your own personal is something we do everyday anyways. We constantly 'give off' who we are and what we are about. This in and of itself is good, but are we doing it in the best way? Most probably not.. There is probably a few things that you could change, also that you want to change, that would make appear and be seen the way you should be as well as want to be seen. You want to be seen as trustworthy, honest, caring and efficient. So show yourself that way. Make sure you are always punctual and on time, courteous to others and always give 110% regardless of what it is that you are doing in your life. Take every task as an opportunity to showcase who you are and what your made of. Build the brand "you" will only help you in the future and make others see you the way you should be seen.

So go ahead and build the "new YOU!"

Idiot of the year

2009-06-12T09:25:00.006+02:00

Here is a quick compilation of idiots, just for your viewing pleasure.

I don't want to talk about this too much, but a friend of mine brought to my attention, this very crazy tattoo. And I don't know if I laughed more at the tattoo or how dumb the girl was that got it? I guess you can be the judge? (on the left, I think this monkey eats bananas)

And if that wasn't enough, look at this genius. I don't know how nor do I care much, but I know that this can't be healthy? And it can't feel good can it? wtf? Definitely another candidate for idiot of the year. Please can I tattoo my eye? (look below on the right)

And just for your viewing pleasure to make you squirm in your seats a bit. I know I did when I saw this pic. Discalimer: never play with a fire cracker, I know we were all taught this at a young age, but I guess some people don't really listen? And most certainly, never play with one and put it in your ass... (I just started laughing while writing that.. haha) moron.. (Check out below.)

So who wins out of these 3 candidates? You pick?

Be Different

2009-06-11T15:12:00.003+02:00

Raise your hand if you want to be a completely normal person?

I bet no one even thought about taking a finger off of their mouse. This is maybe because you looked at ‘normal’ in a bad way and not a positive way. Or it could have been because we haven’t defined what ‘normal’ is yet.

Let’s create a quick definition to define the word normal. Normal is someone who follows and blends in with the crowd. They never really standout especially if they don’t have to. Their life is good, no financial problems, have a wife, maybe kids, but all-in-all it’s relatively bland. (or ‘safe’, for you normal people out there reading, haha)

Now with that definition in mind we can start to look at why people probably didn’t want to take their hand off of their mouse when asked if they were normal.

Why is that, is it because no one wants to be like someone else? No one wants be thought of as a follower. Especially because a leader receives a lot more praise and recognition. Who knows, could be the reason, but that’s not my point that I want to get at.

What I really want to say is being different is cool, and being unique (IMO) is the best. Don’t go out and try to put on the most crazy shjt ever, out of your closet, but be happy in your own right. Be yourself and no one else. Be different, because god knows we aren’t all the same. And if you want to get technical, we are not even close. I mean, I for example, look nothing like my dad. (But damn, the postman looks like my twin, lol) Nah just playing… sort of.

Anyways, just a random rant to all the people who, either are different and love it, or to the posers who try to be different. Big hint to the latter group, it ain’t gunna work. Us original people will be able to pick you out in a heartbeat, we know the fakes. So take off the 15 color shirt and the messed up jeans with the stolen cap, we know. You do it for the wrong reasons, and that’s to get attention. The real originals just are. We don’t mimic or copy, we just do.

Later-

Managing Expectations

2009-06-10T10:13:00.004+02:00

“Managing Expectations”

Life can be completely characterized by this one concept, about this one piece of advice. But how can these 2 words above, possibly help you daily? How would you go about tackling this one phrase day after day after day? I will try and explain what I am getting at as you read further.

What I mean by this is that we need to manage many things in our lives; we are constantly juggling 10 or more tasks from day to day. On top of these daily tasks we are dealing with monthly goals and career or long term choices and decisions as well. These choices and decisions that we need to manage seem to never end and continually pile up. And this frustrates us at times, but we can’t turn face and let them be, we need to go at them head first and trudge through them. Or if you are good at managing expectations you seemingly glide over them. But, here comes the question, how do you do that?

How do you manage your expectations?

How do you get the tasks, work and goals in your life completed? And not just completed but in a relatively quick time period and done well and professionally?

Example: You are expected to get this big presentation done by the end of the week, and you know it will take a lot of time and effort to get it done, but you are not sure how much time you will be able to spend on it, as you are already spread pretty thin as it is with current projects. So what do you do?

Simple, you manage your expectations. You get done with your most important projects first and you go from there. You start with that presentation as it seems to be the hardest thing on your plate and the one project that has a specific deadline and has the biggest weight behind it. Then work your way down, and by doing so this will accomplish a few things for yourself in the process. First: You will get the most complex and mentally trying task out of the way first and ensure that it gets finished before the deadline. Secondly: you will guarantee that all the tasks that you do therein after will be easier and go by more quickly than the first as it was the biggest and hardest for you. And third: you will be happier as it always feels good to get the hardest things done first. It is always better to “eat your toads” first. (Toad = hardest task from every day on your to-do list) Think of the flip-side, if you start with the easy things then work to the hard ones, you will be dreading the end of your day everyday, which doesn't sound like much fun does it?

So don't do it that way.

Juas a couple of quick notes: Manage what is expected from you. Manage your projects and prioritize them accordingly from high to low. Always meet your expectations and when time and space permit it, exceed those expectations. Especially as you get more practice with this, because you will eventually get extremely good at it and be able to take on more and more with less and less stress. Trust me.

Till later, Caio-

Summer Time

2009-06-05T11:22:00.004+02:00

I know it's that time of year again where it warms up and you are starting to get your tan on and stay outside for extended periods of time. So I figured I would put together a quick compilation of tell tale signs that summer has truly arrived. Feel free to add to this list.

How to tell if Summer is here:

The local swimming pool is full with old people. You know summer is here when you go to your local outdoor swimming park/pool or whatever and you find an abundance of 70+ year old people out there in their speedos tanning away. When you're 70 you make absolutely sure it's hot outside before going to the pool, I mean you don't want to freeze.

Skirts are out and loving it. Summer is here when you go outside and half the women have skirts or some sort of other "less than pants" attire on. Shorts and skirts start to be seen all over the place, ohh so nice.

Smells of a BBQ are out. You know when you leave work and you drive home and as you pull into your neighborhood you roll the windows down and catch a strong scent of a passing BBQ going on... mm... I almost want to stop by. I mean you know they have beer, right?

Long nights. This time of year the sun seems to never want to go down. You find yourself outside at 9-10pm at night, but yet it still feels like 6. Why go in when you can stay out?

Brighter clothing. Agree with me or not on this one, but I see a noticeable difference in colors in the summer as opposed to the winter. Bright greens, yellows, etc. are seen regularly.

Tops down, music up. I see alot more people with their convertible tops down and alot more kids with their music blaring as loud as the speakers will let them.

Ok now your turn. What makes you think of summer?? Something new that you notice during this time of year?

Furries

2009-06-03T17:41:00.001+02:00

Question: Have you ever seen the television show Entourage?

Subsequently it’s my favorite show and a few of my friends have even assumed some of the character’s nicknames because we watch it so much. (In fact I can’t wait for the new season to come out, this summer if you’re wondering.)

So anyways, there is an episode in there about people better known as “furries.” If you have seen this show you know where I am going. Well these furry people are special people with fetishes to dress up and act like animals. Many common ones are rabbits, squirrels, and the like. They will dress up and reform sexual acts and do other random things while in “costume.” However the following story below tells you about one furry dude who took it too far.

In reference to this story and this guy who is a furry, I just wanted to ask you why people do things like this and how do realize this about yourself? When do you wake up one day and say, “damn I wish I could dress like a rabbit and act out foreplay with another person of the opposite gender (hopefully) who is also dressed up in an animal suit?” I laughed when writing that actually.

Anyways, sorry for the random thought and the even more random article, but I found this too bizarre to not write it on the blog.

Ciao~

http://www.startribune.com/nation/46720442.html?elr=KArks:DCiUMEaPc:UiacyKUnciaec8O7EyUr

Story Telling

2009-05-29T12:54:00.005+02:00

I used to love to listen to stories as a kid, sitting there on the edge of the bed and waiting for dad to come in to tell me a story. It didn't matter if it was about castles and kings, or if it was about his day at work and what he had done. In fact sometimes he came in and read moby dick to me, and even though I couldn't much understand it, I was content.

I start to wonder why I was content and what it was that made me so happy at a young age, even when I didn't understand half of my dad's stories in their entirety. Even now when I think about the tales of moby dick and cap'n Ahab, I get a little smile because they bring me back to when I was a kid again. And this made me start to think about why I liked the stories so much? And that's when it occurred to me that I didn't necessarily like the stories at all, but rather the story teller.

The story teller in this case was my dad, and it didn't really matter what he was sayin' or what part of the story he was talking about, but it was important that he was taking the time out at all to tell me one. And not only that, but he would tell the stories with vivid emotion and noticeably high differences in voice tone. He cared, and he was going to try and make me get 'into' his story, regardless of all the big words in that book which stretched far beyond my years at that time.

This act of telling a story, by my dad, would serve a far better purpose than only to entertain me at a young age before bedtime. I now know that it served a purpose to show me how to story tell and how use your hands, facial expressions and voice to get across your meaning in an extremely interesting way. It showed me that you need to believe in what you are saying, and to believe in yourself to best get your information across to your listener. Even if your listener is a 6 year old boy.

This lesson would be something that I have found is far more valuable now then I ever realized when I was 6 years old. I need to tell multiple stories to multiple people everyday, and because I had a great teacher, I can now myself tell great stories. Being a good story teller can help you in so many ways. Getting your point across has never been easier, and to be honest, telling stories is a lot of fun. I think I actually get more joy out of telling a story than the person listening to me that is laughing away.

You will come across many people in your life and you will find yourself in many situations where you will be listening to stories or telling them. These people will have interesting and unique stories to tell and you will learn and gain a lot from. And in this same time you will have many stories to tell as well and you will want to give your listeners the most information in the best possible way. So why not become a good story teller? Do your audience and friends along the way a favor and practice your story telling. You will be able to have that much more of an effect on your listeners and they will be greatly appreciative as well.

*raises glass of juice*

Here's to the story teller in you...

A little chuckle...

2009-05-28T16:06:00.004+02:00

So I was just chillin around and pretending to be Superman and fly around the city, like I normally do, when I decided it would be cool to stop for a second and catch my breath. When I was sitting there thinking of something to do I started to get hungry so I figured I would fly my happy a$$ to a local restaurant. Seeing as I had already saved a couple of chics in a shopping mall earlier, and I felt like I owed myself one. The place I ended up stopping at was a McDonald's, of course, and I decided to get a big mac and fries at the drive through window. The lady first decided to argue with me and told me I couldn't order without a car through the window, but then she quickly realized I was Superman and promptly handed me 4 big macs and strawberry shake. I was stoked. She told me the apple pie I wanted was in the bag...

..So I left and headed home. By the time I got there I had already eaten 3 of the sandwiches and scarfed down the shake. I was looking to eat the last sandwich and get to my much anticipated apple pie when I realized that the lady who had taken my order screwed it up. There was no apple pie in the bag. wtf?!? Now I'm mad and wondering what to do? Should I go back? Should I just forget about it, because it's only a $0.99 apple pie? Or maybe I should call 911 and complain to them? Surely they could fix it right?

Well you might laugh a bit at my last option of calling 911 to get my apple pie back, but you would be surprised at how real of a option that sounds like to some people.

I read an article on CNN today about a guy who called 911 to complain about not getting an O.J. put into his bag when he went through the drive through at a local McDonald's. I got a bit of a chuckle out of this and I figured I would share it.

But before I do, I wanted to know what could possibly go through your head to make you want to call the police over a screwed up McDonald's order? And these are the few possibilities I could come up with:

He was stoned out of his mind and had the munchies

It was a mild attempt at a prank, which didn't turn out well

He was that stupid and thought that the EMERGENCY people would help him the fastest

He dialed the wrong number?

Can you think of anymore reasons?

Here is the link below. Check it out yourself. http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/crime/2009/05/27/carter.or.911.juice.box.kptv

Chill-lax

2009-05-26T14:29:00.002+02:00

A deep breath.. the relaxing sound of nothing but a cool breeze in the background, as it bounces along, on a beautiful afternoon.

Laughter.. the feeling of being happy, if only for the pure reason that you can be.

Chilling.. when you can sit there and clear your mind of all thoughts, even if the moment is ever so brief.

Relax.. the part of the day that comes after everything else is completed, and you feel so good about your accomplishments, that you would rather sit there in your chair then to move and ruin the moment.

The words above are just reminders that we need to take time out once in awhile and breath, laugh, chill and relax. Regardless of how much time you currently contribute to your personal well being, be assured that the more time you do give back to yourself, the better your life will be.

So go ahead and throw yourself a bit more relaxation and breathing time. Believe me that your ‘future self’ will thank you for it.

The word “No”

2009-05-22T14:01:00.003+02:00

I read a piece on this word by another fellow blogger and liked his ideas so much, that I figured I would throw my 2 cents at trying to explain this word as well.

This word is complex and tricky at best. It has a ton of different meanings and that’s not too bad, considering it’s only 2 letters long. This word is best described as misleading and confusing at times and I will explain what I mean.

This word was taught to us at a young age, we learned that no means just that, “no”. End of story. If mom or dad says no, you only have a few choices. One is to whine like an idiot and try and get them to change their minds, but this normally results in further agitation and the same response and a swift smack on the head from mom. Or you can just except it for face value, like we are taught to, and say, “ok” as you walk away with your tail between your legs.

“No” is a word that gets different meanings attached to it as we grow older though. And I hate to say it, but mostly these other connotations are added by women. (Ok I am lying, I don't hate to say it, haha) We start to realize as we are going through high school and into college that “no” actually means “yes” to some girls. Like “no, you can do that.” Which most of us know that if it’s accompanied by a ‘lip biting gesture’ then it really means “Yes, please do that, I actually like it a lot.”

So then we, “we” being males, start to push the boundaries and always go through a “no” like it’s a “yes.” And this works great for most of us, especially for the duration of college. I mean we have been trained by women to go further when hearing this queue. But then there comes a time where we get thrown a curve ball and a “no” is supposed to mean an actual “no” again. We bite her ear or nibble on something a bit too hard, she says “no” and we go harder…. Oops. You can’t really blame us can you? I mean you taught us...

So why do girls do that to boys? Is it because some girls don’t actually know what they want? They climb on you one minute and kiss you almost uncontrollably and then tell you “no” the next minute and actually mean it. What gives? And I know any girl reading this has definitely done this before, you can’t deny it. It’s the meanest trick in the book. I mean what would you do if a guy played the game called, “just the tip, just for a minute, just to see how it feels” with you? I am sure you would go nutz on him. But don’t ask why any guy would do that? Unless for payback.. muwahaha!

Either way I think life would be better if girls didn’t expect us guys to be mind readers. I mean we sometimes have trouble working the television and drinking a beer while listening to you talk. Just playing, but seriously I can’t concentrate when Sportscenter is on?

I'll pass...

2009-05-20T22:27:00.005+02:00

So I recently got the worse thing imaginable for a human to get, something I wouldn't wish upon my worst enemy. I don't know how many of you out there have had this before, but it sucks and there isn't really anything you can do to prevent it, because it revolves around trust that each and everyone of us extends to someone else. (100% of the time actually)

Can you start taking a stab at what I;m thinking of yet?

Can you think of something that some of us do on a daily basis, and in fact all of us do this at least a few times a week, and we hardly ever know the person in which we put so much apparent trust in? That is essentially behind it.

I will give you a hint that will surely give it away, unless you already guessed it? And what this unimaginable thing has to do with is ..... FOOD! Specifically food from a restaurant or fast food joint. Somewhere we have to pay for it and trust the people making it that it is safe and good to eat. Why do we put this trust in these absolute strangers? Is it because we have no choice or is it because that's the way society has set it up? (If you want to eat away from home this is the only way to do it.)

Either way, take an extra glance at what goes in and out of your mouth next time and make sure it's cooked and prepared to YOUR standards. No need to risk it, trust me!

Because I recently got food poisoning from a local diner (actually the last 2 days) that I frequent often and probably over 100 times in the last year alone. They even know me and recognize me when I come in, but yet you still have to check whats set in front of you, no matter how hungry you are.

Just a word to the wise as I hope all of you can avoid this.

Ciao~

We are crazy?

2009-05-19T08:54:00.003+02:00

I was reading an article about a guy by the name of Scott Parazynski today, and it started to make me realize just how nuts/cool/crazy some of us are. There are a lot of us out there that do unimaginable things and simply love it. We try to be completely original or do something no one else has done or tried before. Hence the reason the “Guinness book of world records” is so massive and growing every year. But hey, more power to ya if you’re one of them crazy mo fo's, even if you are a few monkeys short of a barrel.

So Scott Parazynski is an ex-astronaut that has been to the moon, in space, etc many times. (That in itself is crazy if you ask me) And he just recently left NASA to pursue something a tad bit different. During his ‘next trip’, Parazynski is combining his two passions of space and climbing by conducting astrobiology research. (I know what your thinking, that was your dream too..) And he wants to do it in one of the craziest places ever.

Mount Everest.

Yep, he isn’t going to climb a nice mountain in the Rockies or go climb a plateau in South America, he wants to climb the biggest frickin’ mountain in the world, the one that’s as close to outer space as you can get without a rocket ship. Makes sense, eh? Well I guess it’s a little ironic to say the least.

"We're looking for evidence for life in the extreme," he said. "Things that can live in the harshest environments on Earth may be the kinds of things that once existed on Mars or other planets."

Really? You really want to go climb up there to conduct some research and find out if shjt can live there? You know how many people have died climbing that thing? I mean I would settle for a beer and Sunday night football, but whatever. Gotta get your thrills.

All I can say is good luck! Hope you find what your looking for and come back with all your limbs, etc.

There is more to this store and you can read it here; http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/090518-everest-astrobiology.html But this is what made me think about how crazy/cool/interesting we are as a whole. We got these cool people flying to the moon and in outer space and we have people like Jacque Cousteau and Scott Parazynski that are trying to find things that aren’t supposed to be found. Crazy, but yet still cool at the same time and I applaud these people, however crazy they may be, for doing these things. (Because we both know it will make a sweet National Geographic series later, I mean none of you can say you hate animal planet, deadliest catch, etc. right? Haha)

Anyways, I like that we are all different and were all given varying sets of skills to work with, it makes us diverse and unique. And we both know that this will only help us evolve as a society. *crosses fingers* Either way it’s fun to think about where we were a long time ago as a race, a society, a species and where we are today.

I think we progressed..?

Hmm…

Most Contagious

2009-05-12T12:18:00.009+02:00

The most contagious thing in the world... do you know what it is? Have you ever given this some thought?

What was the first thing you just thought of? Just now as I asked this question?

If you are like the majority of people, I am sure the first thing you thought of was a cold, flu or something bad. But why is that? Why did the thoughts of something negative pop into your mind first? (I don't really know either..) I mean go type in "most contagious" on Google and you will get a million hits for diseases and colds. It's crazy... So don't feel bad that you thought about it first as well.

I mean this could be because the word 'contagious' means, according to Webster's dictionary, 1: communicable by contact 2: bearing contagion 3: used for contagious diseases 4: exciting similar emotions or conduct in others. By these definitions, nothing positive is even mentioned until #4, the last one. And #1 and #3 are referring to something that you can 'catch', like a disease. So our own dictionaries are telling us it's bad before it's good, technically, right?

But that's not what I want to get at, and either way it doesn't matter, because I am going to tell you what I think is the most 'contagious anything' in the world. And the first thing I thought of when I asked myself this question. (Possibly even a few of you have guessed what I am about to say already?) And that is... ..

...a smile. YEP! That's it. Simple eh?

The most contagious thing in this world is a smile. Just think about it for a second. Think about how many times you smile in a day and then think about how many times you laugh in a day. If you are a happy camper, then you smile quite often. Which is great! And when you smile you pass it along. It hops from one person to another until it's filling the whole room that you're in, just like a "contagious virus", err... umm.. almost. :)

These little smiles are like gifts we give each other. It's like saying, "thank you for being my friend" to everyone that you enjoy, and are happy around. The best part about these gifts though is that they are quick, simple and free. We are always looking for something that can keep up with us and how fast we move, and quick we need it. Well here you go, here is one thing that will be able to hold up to your daily grind... I promise, so go ahead and use it more.

And just to prove to you that it's contagious, I am going to show you a few examples of smiles, and I bet at least one of them will make you smile back at it. ;) (click on the images to make them bigger)

Hope you have a happy Tuesday.

Life Referees

2009-05-11T09:43:00.003+02:00

So who is reffing this game called "Life"?

When we were children growing up, it was mom and dad who were there to 'ref' you and watch over us at all times. They made sure to pick us up when we fell and dust the dirt off. They fed us our favorite meals and told us bedtime stories. They told us when we needed to be home at night and what was accepted and/or expected of us at all times.. But mom and dad aren't around forever and there is a gradual weening period where we have to start fending for ourselves.

Some people start the road to maturity and independence earlier than others, but either way we all need to get there sometime. We all need watch out for ourselves and make the right decisions without the help of referees from the side lines. When this happens though is up to you, but either way it's inevitable.

Some of us flourish without people helping us while others flounder in the water, always looking around for the next helping hand, just to keep their noses above. I agree we all need help from time to time to get anywhere in this life, but you also need to be able to stand on your own two feet as well, even if it's only for a few minutes here and there.

There are many good feelings that come with standing up by yourself though. Like when you accomplish an extremely lofty goal after months of trying. You get the feeling of accomplishing something by yourself, with no one else's help, which is the biggest 'high' ever. It's like a splash of fresh water when your standing under the sweltering sun. It's great! And it makes you want that feeling to last and to come back again soon.. (and it will)

"Life referees" are going to always be there, but use them seldomly, and when you need them let them know you appreciate them. (For example: Mother's Day, I hope you all gave your mothers a call??) But more importantly show them that you can do everything on your own, and that will be the biggest reward you could give. And that's when this cycle starts over again....

As you get older and become a very active member of society and start your own family, you then in turn, become a referee as well and you will love it. (I know I am making up some new rules, Muwahaha) And you get to share your experiences with others and see the other side of the street. I can only imagine what a trip that will be.. haha!

Alcohol

2009-05-09T23:40:00.004+02:00

What a drug...

..the things that alcohol can do to you, that make you wish you didn't remember. And most of the time you don't remember, if you drink enough of it, except that your best friends will never let you live down that ugly girl you kissed or that guy computer nerd that you danced with.

The things that alcohol can make you do.. *laughing to myself* It can make you invincible and make you think that no one can hurt you. (most often found in guys) Or it can make you extremely emotional.. (I know everyone knows a girl who is like this) It affects everyone differently. So much so that no one drinks or needs the same amount to reach their desired level of... well lets call it 'happiness'.

Take me for example. 2-3 beers and I am feeling great! Give me 4-5 and I am already wasted and looking for a garbage bin or scoping out the nearest toilets. My tolerance level is that of a 12 year old girl on her period drinking for the first time. It's crazy. And I am not a little guy at all, 6'1'' and 230 lbs. Then I look across the room at my buddy hitting on a girl, that is drunk, and is somewhere in the range of cute and horribly ugly.. all the while he is on his 6th vodka red bull and shows no signs of stopping. Unbelievable at the range of tolerances people have no matter their shape or size. All that really matters is their 'training' they have had previously.

When you are drinking the things that will come out of your mouth, faster than R. Kelly buying front row tickets to a Hannah Montana concert, are hilarious. You are normally the last one to tell "insert name" that she is wearing the ugliest shirt ever, but put a little Jack Daniels in you and you meet that girl at the front door with 3 other people and proceed to point and laugh... Why do we do that?

With alcohol, no one can have just 'one' glass either. We have to at least feel the buzz, before we stop. Because that's about the point when we feel frisky and look at our significant other with 'fu _ck me eyes and the point where we think we can still drive and not act too stupid. Although the definition of 'too stupid' is quite open for discussion as well.

Alcohol can make a quiet person talk, a loud person shut up, a stone-faced man cry and make you say things you didn't even know you were capable of. Alcohol is the biggest excuse for screw-ups ever. I mean it's at least worth a shot as a last resort as to why you did something stupid and ended up with a tattoo last night.

Alcohol, what a drug.

Everyone tries you, everyone pukes you up eventually, but they always come back for more.

Just some random Saturday evening thoughts.

Ciao-

Too much of a good thing?

2009-05-06T23:38:00.003+02:00

Can you have too much of a good thing?

I mean too much ice cream gives you a stomach ache.. and if you decide you want to eat it too fast, well then your brain literally freezes.

Too much food and you get fat, too much alcohol and you throw up.

Too much sleeping and you get more tired than when you went to bed, and if you stay in the bathtub too long you turn into a prune. wtf?

I mean it seems there isn't al ot of truth to the saying, "You can't have too much of a good thing.." I guess the person who made this quote up never had 3 or more sisters growing up. I had the experience of living in a sea of estrogen and I couldn't swim. Sucked at times, but at least I got the experience of how to deal with women at a young age right?

Anyways, here is the question I am trying to get at. There might be one thing you can't get enough of..? Or at least some people would argue you couldn't. And that is SEX. Yep I said it, can you get enough sex, like really turn it down because you had so much or is it not possible?

I think you can get enough, whats your opinion?

Narcissism: Generation 'Me'

2009-04-30T15:09:00.005+02:00

I just read an article by Sarah Kliff from Newsweek that provoked me to write about 'my narcissistic generation' that I am from. The generation of people that grew up with computers from birth and only think about me, myself and I. Our generation that is classified by many to be materialistic cry babies that are so infatuated with themselves that we stop and look in the mirror every chance we get. Or we are described as a heedless self-indulged generation of people who seek and want praise for every little thing we do, regardless of if it's taking a poop in the toilet at a young age or getting good grades on a report card. We seek the compliments and have no ends to our "self-love".

Now I personally would argue as well towards the fact that my generation is a narcissistic one, but as was noted by a close friend of mine, it depends on the definition of narcissism. Which one of the following definitions of narcissism are we using? 1) One is the clinical sense. And what I mean is the people who are very unhappy, deeply troubled human beings that have fragmented relationships, etc. So the actual mental illness known as Narcissism. 2) The second would be what most people would probably describe it as. Which is the exceptional self interest in oneself, the gratification derived from admiration of one's own physical or mental attributes, or more specifically the excessive self-love or vanity that one has.. [I have also stumbled upon this definition as well] 3) Narcissist are strong, independent thinkers searching for unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, and the ideal love.

So which one of these definitions are we talking about because it changes quite a bit depending on what way you are looking through the tainted glass. Which kool-aid is being drank?

I think that we all are narcissistic according to the second definition, it just depends on what varying degree we are. Are you in total love with yourself and will do anything and everything in your power to reach your goal? (the ends justify the means) Meaning you will walk over anyone to reach your goal, regardless of who you crush along the way. Or are you the other way and the means justify the end?

Answering this question will simply answer the moral side of narcissism though. (Do you already agree that we all have a bit of "self-love" in us. Not to be confused with confidence.. haha) More specifically should we look at narcissism in a positive way or a negative way? And I think you need to look no further than the question I posed above about how you want to get to the end. It's all relative. Do you want to get their at someone else's expense or in a truthful, honest way? That's for you to decide.

Now definition number 3 above is looking at narcissism in a positive way. It's simply saying that you have a lot of confidence and care far above anything else (I'm implying here) how far you go and how well you fair in this world. Key word being "you" in that last sentence. I mean if you don't worry about you and where you are going in this world who will? Are we not taught to be independent and seek success?

Now back to the article in Newsweek.

This article is actually a great way to invoke an all out battle royal between generations. And it has more connections that link our generation to the one that raised us than Martha Stewart has associating her with cooking books. This is plainly obvious as this article has over 25+ pages worth of comments. And the comments are distributed evenly from the baby boomers to generation narcissism or also known as generation 'me' in this article.

I don't want to dig too much further into it as I don't want to skew your opinion either way, but more challenge you to read it and weigh in on the topic. (Link at the bottom) Because this topic can go a million ways, from where did this narcissism start? (We can trace this back to circa 1550's with the "Reformation of the Catholic Church/Protestant movement" if you like? I have to give Kudo's to my friend for pointing this out to me..) All the way to linking our parents to helping create us like this. I mean it creates quite the cognitive dissonance in your head when you call the very children, YOU YOURSELF raised, a bunch of princess partying, "I am special" coloring book, over confident ego-addled spoiled brats eh?

Here.... check it out yourself.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/194640

Come back and tell me what you think in the comments section.

Crossroads

2009-04-28T10:15:00.004+02:00

There will be a time in your life where you will be faced to make some huge decisions. Decisions so big that they are pretty much dictating the next 10 years or so of your life. And if they aren't dictating the next 10 years, they at least steering them heavily in one direction and severely narrowing down any decisions you will have to make after.

These decisions that you encounter are not like waking up and wondering what skirt you should wear in the morning or if your thong matches your bra and the fact that you hope your significant other will notice. They are even bigger than spending $1,000 on a plane ticket over the ocean vs. $2,000 on a down payment for your dream car.

These decisions are life altering. They will lay the groundwork for your future career and your future wife and kids. Maybe even for the rest of your life. (Just thinking about that gave me the shivers...) You won't make these types of decisions more than maybe 4-5 times in your life in my opinion so you most certainly don't want to screw them up.

You need to give yourself a lot of time to think about these things and weigh your options. You need to possibly create a silly pro/con list or try and weigh what is the most important to you. These decisions are never easy and can't be made overnight. No one can even help you, because if your friends and family do help you and sway your opinion then possibly you are doing it for the wrong reasons... You need to go down this path on your own, you need to be a bit selfish and think about what it is that you want. And then you start asking yourself if you even know? Do you?

Maybe you are even lucky enough and have multiple choices to make? And you know you would be extremely happy with any decision you make, thus making it even harder. I know some people will laugh and say, "well that should be easier then if you will be happy regardless.." But that's more part of your character and how you push through anything and make everything work and never look back on past decisions made. You can't look back anyways, you need to make this decision now and live with it, because you can't live in the past nor go back and change it in 3 years and start to think "what if?"

So I am posing the question to you. How do you go about making these crucial and life changing decisions? Is this girl the one for you...? I mean everything feels so right, she is beautiful smart and loves you. Or is this new job going to be a good fit? I mean the one you're in is great, so why change? Or maybe you are even faced with a decision of moving far away from everything familiar. This includes your best friends, your family and everything you know... Do you do it? Maybe you start to see my point...

How do you choose between 3 or more options when they all look extremely appealing? Maybe one of my female readers can give me some insight into how you decide between 3 extremely attractive males, all of which are relatively the same in size, shape and age. Basically molded into what you look for and want in a guy. These 3 guys only differ in small ways, like color of their skin and different jobs, yet all 3 have the same salary... Which guy do you choose? Is your heart up to the challenge of making the decision? Knowing full well that all 3 guys could be a perfect fit. But you can only have one. And after you choose and you later decide you made the wrong decision it's too late to go back and change. You have to live with it.

*the ticking clock from the series '24' is ticking in the background*

Can you choose?

Now that's just one example, but how do you make that decision, tell me what goes through your mind? What kind of questions are stumbling through your brain after reading this? Please leave a comment and tell me your secrets. I would love to hear them.. even if you are one of those readers who doesn't normally post, take the time and post on this topic.

Girls: Unbelievable

2009-04-27T11:01:00.007+02:00

What can a girl do to you? The list is near endless.. and actually it's a lot easier to start listing the things that they can't do to you. Err.. umm.. f*ck that's just as hard.

*takes a breath*

[Starts over]

Girls can knock you down and pick you back up faster than one of those dummy punching clowns you see at the carnival. They can be your best friend that you never want to let go of and that you can tell absolutely anything too... (outside of 'guy' only things of course, more on what those are later..) The one person you can trust anything to and you know that it will stay between you. Girls are heartwarming and will be the first ones to take care of you when you are sick and are acting like a 200 lb baby that can't take care of himself. Girls can be that awesome.

Now back to the dummy punching clown. These same girls can turn in an instant from nice to evil and then switch back before you blink. It's umm.. called... ahh... "getting your period".. I have seen girls that can rip your heart out and then laugh about it later. The type of girl who only uses you for all your worth and then moves on, all the while leaving you thinking she was 'the one'. Girls are utterly incredible at how you can think they are so sweet and then 4 months later you would rather shoot yourself than to utter 'her' name again..

But to be honest I didn't really want to talk about how crazy they can be but rather how it only takes one girl..

And what I mean by that is it only takes that one girl to really come along and knock you out for the count like Muhammad Ali standing over Joe Frazer. And this will only happen to most guys once in their entire lives. It's like seeing Haley's comet or witnessing something extremely rare. This girl comes without warning too, most likely when you least expect it, or when you are not ready and/or wishing she would come along. But it doesn't matter because it WILL happen and there is nothing you can do about it but embrace it and the fact that she even came into your life.

This girl will knock you on your ass and everything about her will have you craving for more. The first time she touches you, the first time she kisses you and the first time she... well umm you see where this is going.. All of these things will make your head spin and you will lose all ability to even think and function on your own, and you probably don't ever want to again when you meet her. This girl will make you regret every bad-mouthed remark you have made about the opposite gender and then some. It's incredible what she will do to you and how she will change your world.

Do you remember that "first love" feeling that you had once upon a dream? Well that will come back with this girl. You will resort to writing cute nothings to her at work or in text messages and everything else seems to stop. That feeling you never thought you would feel again will be knocking at the front door. And all the messed-up relationships you had prior to her will seem like they were worth it, because if they wouldn't have happened maybe you would have never met in the first place?

Either way I hope all of you have this feeling or this someone in your life that you can't, won't and will never let go of. In fact they might be in your life already and you just don't know it? These people in your life don't always have to be in the form of 'lovers' but can be best friends too. (like your buddies) These are the people you need to hang on to, because they are one-in-a-million and you need to treat them as such. (but don't make it too obvious) You will never find more than 2-8 or so of them in your entire life and if you do find more consider yourself extremely lucky. I know I haven't... but I keep searching. (What I mean by this last part if you actually know me in-person is more referring to the fact that I will continue to find more of these people and search them out, but that I am still young and I am not sure who will or won't stick in my life because I have found and lost so many people already in my life.. it gets hard to know who will be there through thick and thin.. I have been let down more times than I can count.. but I sure hope that out of all my friends, both girls and guys that I keep all of you. My core of friends is so strong and I love that, so don't leave ;) )

Just a random thought again..

'Till later....

Searching for a meaning...

2009-04-25T21:07:00.003+02:00

What is the point? To be more specific, why are we doing whatever it is that we do? Are we trying to achieve some goal or are we simply content with what we are doing now? ..Or are we completely unsure?

People have midlife crises and start wondering what their life is all about and what is/was their goal this whole time. Or was there one at all besides get old, get married and have a few kids along the way? I have met far too many people in my life that seem to not have one. Not really have something they are striving for, but more just moving along.

I mean don't get me wrong, I live 100% in the moment, but I have a goal. I know where it is that I want to get to, and I know what I have to do to get there. But at the same time if you plan or live too much for in the future you let here and now fly by without really 'living' each and every day and that's probably not what you want to do either.

So what I really want to get at is what is your goal? And if you can't answer that or you don't really know you should take some time to sit down and figure it out. Take a timeout sometime and really be a bit 'selfish' and try and discover just what exactly you want to do with your life. And after you have sat down and figured out that goal I want you to do one more thing. FORGET IT! Now before you think I am crazy just listen. I want you to forget it and make it higher. For example if you want to be a manager of some company, why not up the goal to CEO? Or better yet, one day try and own that company or start your own. Just try and shoot a bit higher than you even think you are capable of. You will thank yourself later for doing this. So literally shoot for the stars.

This goal has to be something that isn't easily attainable either. It has to be a 'dream goal', and most crazy cool people that live awesome lives started out with these high dreams. And all they did was reach them. And now that they have reached them they have some of the most fulfilling lives in the world. Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Bill Joy, 'your name'... be the next guy/girl to reach a crazy goal or exceed it.

I mean really.... "Why not?"

People are fascinating

2009-04-19T18:41:00.004+02:00

You put on your headphones and you start listening to your favorite music on your I-pod. Your running shoes are on and you are ready to go out to the park and get your 'run on' and get some exercise. I mean why not it's a beautiful day and the sun is shining.

But today is a bit different because the park you are about to run through is probably one of the most well known 'parks' in all of America. Yep you guessed it, "Central Park" in New York City.

This park is beautiful and the overwhelming amount of people there is astonishing. It's clean, green and full of energy. This park isn't really any ordinary park either, you will find a zoo, baseball fields, lakes, metropolitan museum of art and more sidewalk vendors then you possibly need. The people there are from every ethnicity you can think of and each passing face has a story on it just waiting to be told.

A park like this is an oasis in terms of a place where you can find many people enjoying themselves. If they are having a picnic in the park or visiting the lions cage or even just out for a Sunday afternoon walk they are having a good time and general enjoyment is being had. It's a good thing to be apart of.

Not quite sure where I am going with this, or why I decided to write about it, but the feeling of running through a park like that and being able to listen to my favorite music as I get to look around and see all the new faces and different people is a pretty cool experience. You should try and see Central Park sometime in NYC, I recommend it for anyone.

Hopefully you have a park or a place like this where you can just 'get lost' for a few hours once a week.. it's nothing short of refreshing..

Windy City

2009-04-15T01:45:00.003+02:00

Chicago.. wow.

How do explain a city like this? Here is a couple ways I would do it by what I have seen over the last 3 days of being here and what it feels like.

It feels windy, because of how hard the weather comes off of the lake morning, noon and night. It is lively with 24/7 people running around town, all with different agendas and different places to be. It's organized chaos at it's finest. (Read a book called 'crowds' this is explained quite well.) There is a loud and rowdy night life if you can find the location on any given night. (not easy...) The roads are so bad in places I can hear the cars actually screaming while driving over them... Food is so easy to find and not just any food, but everything you could possibly imagine. Brats, Pizza, Asian Cuisine, fine dining and steakhouses and the lists go on. And on that same note, there is a Starbucks on every corner. (this is really amazing actually as well as a McDonalds never too far away)

Overall Chicago is a cool city, it's got the Sears Tower, Wrigley-ville, 6 or more museums within a 3 mile radius and more bars and nightlife then anyone would know what to do with.

I recommend visiting this city. There is so much here that anything less than a week wouldn't be justice enough.

Caio-

Sports

2009-04-13T17:21:00.003+02:00

The achilles heal of all men. We seemingly have to have them. Every guy has his own sport that he loves, but either way we spend a substantial amount of time watching/going to/drinking/ betting on them. And they never get old.

A good sporting event with your buddies is practically heaven. (a beer included is always welcome as well.)

Does anyone have any sports related addictions? I recently got to check out the Chicago blackhawks vs. Detroit red wings and now today it's the cubs baseball game...

Loving it...

Friend Dynamic

2009-04-08T19:01:00.004+02:00

So sorry guys, I have been traveling from Europe to the states over the past 5 days and will be on the go for the next 2 weeks as well.. (too much awesomeness, haha) But I will try and get on here to write a bit about whats going on and how cool it is. :) (The trip is from Minnesota to New York and hitting every cool city in-between)

So I wanted to write about the friend dynamic. I got 3 buddies from Switzerland with me on this trip combined with some local friends and it's great! It's amazing how new people that don't know each other nor speak the same language all too well can get along so seemlessly just because they have a common friend. It's really cool to know how much trust your friends have in you, because they trust your judgement in people so much, that your friends that they don't know previously, instantly become their friends as well.

The power of networking at it's finest. Bringing the world together a few people at a time. :)

Friends are also awesome because you realize how much you can lean and count on them for anything. You don't have an extra 10 bucks for a slurpie and funyans late at night, they got you covered. You are feeling like shjt and are not sure you can make it to the game tonight, so they change the plans and do something that will allow you to come and just postpone the plans you had for another night. Friends like this are great and they have your back no matter what, but at the same time they are the first ones to hit you on the head when you need it. (I have been hit like 4 times on this current trip so far..) haha...

Friends make life simplier. It shouldn't be a chore to have your friends, you don't need to be a babysitter for real friends, they don't want that anyways. They should be there to make it better, they are like enhancement pills for the daily life that you call your own. Sidekicks at times, and leading you up the stairs and tucking you in at other times. Either way they make it more simple for you, and both parties are getting enjoyment. (most the time.. :P)

A few things you need to have when it comes to friends are trust, this is paramount to anything else you have with your friends because this becomes the basis for all relationships and how far they will go. You also need to be able to be generally happy with one another. Good times shouldn't be something that are few and far between in occurances. Enjoying each others company should be something that you don't have to think about. And when you get a group of guys are girls that falls into this.. thats something special. And don't ever lose these people, because you will need them as much as they need you through life.

Have a good Wednesday guys.. just some random thoughts, hope to bring you more soon...

Caio-

Getting knocked down

2009-04-02T09:52:00.005+02:00

I am sure you have all heard the song called, “Hard Knock Life” and my favorite version is the one by rapper Jay-Z. He basically spends the whole time talking about how he went from the ‘bottom to the top’. How he went from ‘lukewarm to hot’, and how no one appreciated him until he released his second album.

Jay-Z is a good example of someone who has experienced defeat many times (or that’s what he says in his songs) and kept getting up. You fall down 11 times you get up 12, no matter how many times you lose or get knocked down you need to rise up again. I know sometimes it gets hard and you just don’t have the energy too, but think of how much worse off you will be if you just lay down.. (and die)

Another good song is by Chumbawumba, “Tubthumpin”. (ok well the chorus is preaching the same message) The whole song is basically the chorus as there is virtually no verses. But the chorus says, “I get knocked down but I get up again, no you’re never going to keep me down.” And then just goes ahead and repeats that 20+ times. This song is talking about getting knocked down again and that no matter how many times you, someone else or the world knocks them down, they will always get back up again.

I think people need more of this attitude in them. I think people need to dwell more on the good times, not saying we should forget about all the mistakes and stupid things that we do or happen to us, but more that we need to be persistent. Good things will never happen to us if we decide to quit the race or bail out of the journey early.

You are going to have your good days and bad days, but without the bad days we wouldn’t really realize the good days or they wouldn’t feel that good to us. So on those days when you are feeling down and out, do the following:

-Get up
-Be persistent
-Don’t dwell on any ‘one thing’ for too long
-Learn from where you are at that moment, then forget about it.
-And lastly be Awesome! We all are…

Too many random thoughts for early in the morning. Haha. This is what happens to you in the morning when you hear Jay-Z on your I-Tunes library.

Make the Decision

2009-04-01T10:06:00.003+02:00

Making a decision is something that we do everyday. We need to decide what to wear when we get out of bed, and if we really want a coffee in the morning or just some milk or juice will do. We have millions of everyday decisions we make with little to no effort. These are normally the questions we have to answer on a daily basis and don't have to care all that much about. This makes them a lot faster and thus leaves us with more time to think about the more important decisions which inevitably lie ahead..

Now hear is my question. How do you go about making the complex decisions? How do you tackle the important issues that will have greater consequences than the ones involving cereal or toast in the morning?

Do you have a method and a way of systematically going about tough decisions? Do you make a chart with a pro's and con's column? Are you the person who goes around and takes a quick poll in their minds about what all your friends and family in your inner circle think? No matter what way that you do it, you still have to make these decisions, because we both know they don't go away and only get harder the longer you procrastinate with them.

So my question to you is, "How do you make the decision?"

Give me your opinion and your insight into how you go about the tough ones?

Here is a personal example about a decision I need to make. I have a career decision fast approaching in the next 6 months and it's a biggy. I need to decide what I want to do and where I want to go. Sounds easy enough, weigh the pluses and minuses and see how it shakes out. But here is the 'kicker' for me, every decision would make me happy. I mean normally you have a decision to make and it's clear which ones have what benefits, and most the time you can gauge relatively close if you would be happy with one over another, but for me I would be happy with all.

So what do you do? How do you make a decision without any regrets. Or is it easier, because I know no matter which decision I make I will be happy?

Thoughts?

(Ohh yeah.. just a quick note to you. Something to try today. And that is to SMILE more!)

What is College? Part 2

2009-03-31T19:19:00.003+02:00

So here's what I like to call the 'should I have 1 more?' scenario in college It's a scenario that I am sure happened to you 5 or more times...:

You are chilling at your dorm watching your favorite episode of family guy, grubbing on a piece of cold pizza from last night that didn't get eaten. (rarely does this happen) The door is locked and you are drinking just one beer and you look down at your watch and see it's 11:30pm so you're going to call it a night and get to bed early. I mean why not, it is Thursday after all and your bed looks as comfy as a dorm bed can look..

..Then you hear the *knock knock* at the door and it's your best bud and 3 or 4 other guys behind him saying your name and begging you to go out with them for 'thirsty Thursdays' at sally's steakhouse/bar & grill/strip club shack. That's when you can either accept or ... yeah accept. Either way you're screwed because you know they won't leave without you.

You quick turn off the T.V. and throw on your pants and buckle your belt as your telling them to hold the fu** on. You can't really decide what shirt to wear, nor did you actually care 5 minutes ago, but nevertheless it takes you a good 4 minutes to grab one and throw some gel in your hair along with shoes that probably don't match. "whatever, who cares..." you mutter to yourself as you open the door and your friends 'high 5' you and then proceed to tell you that you're driving because they have no gas in any of their cars. (go figure right?)

You pile 5 guys into your little 4 person Oldsmobile 88' and head off to the bar. On the way there you find yourself screaming the lyrics to Nirvana, cranked up until the speakers feel like they are going to blow, and this is the point that you start to think "it will be alright.. just a quick couple drinks and out... whats the harm? I love my buddies!"

You pull into Sally's and everyone piles out and starts to point at the 3 hot girls that are exiting the bar.. err wait, I mean the 1 hot girl and 2 ugly friends. (don't ask why this is the case) Then you proceed to enter where you see it's basically packed and you quickly realize that you know practically everyone there. It's going to be a great night, could even possibly find a cute girl!

You order a beer, after all it's $2.00 taps and all you can eat $5.00 wings.. but before you even get to taste your first beer your buddy comes from behind you and puts a shot of Bacardi 151 with Tabasco in front of you and the others. (prairie fire shot) You try to refuse, but that's to no avail as you decide to knock it back anyways, especially because the girl across the bar is looking at you. At this point you're not sure if she is cute.. hmm..

So you down a few more beers, take a couple more shots and chow down on wings until you want to literally burst. But whatever, you are feeling good despite the fact that you can't stop burping and your shirt looks like you dropped half a bottle of ketchup on it because the wing sauce was so runny.

This is when you get some guts and go over to see if that girl you spotted earlier was hot or not. I mean after all she was checking you out right? So you make it over there and after making a complete fool of yourself you proclaim she is ugly anyways in front of all her friends you stumble back to your side of the bar. You're a bit mad when you sit down, but whatever you got your buddies there, and low and behold there is another shot coming your way.

This time it's a shot of Tequila and you don't really want it and start to ask yourself should I take 1 more? But after getting called a pus** 5 times by your buddies you decide to knock it back, I mean what harm can it do?

Man were you wrong... the next thing you remember is you trying to slur some words about puking all over yourself and how a girl on the other side of the bar you talked to earlier wanted your number and you want to go see her again. The next parts get a bit sketchy. You remember waking up with your head out the window twice. Once at a stoplight and the next time as you are going through a neighborhood. The taste of puke is still on your breath. You're starting to regret that 'last shot' you decided to take because you wanted to prove your buddies wrong and show them you can drink the most without throwing up. Then you pass out again.

You finally open your eyes laying on your side in the fetal position because the sun is up and shining down on your face. Man does that suck, so you jump in your bed all the while wondering how the heck you made it back to your room and who drove your car home last night? fu** it, you are too tired at this point to care about your car keys, or the fact that you are completely naked and freezing because you had no blanket around you. That's when you pass out again.

You wake up again and it's 6:30pm on Friday evening. You didn't make it to any classes and you just remembered you had a quiz in chem class today too. You rub your eyes and stand up. Still naked you stumble around your room looking for your towel to take a shower with, you find it and head to the bathroom. Someone laughs at the sight of you on the way there, but you pay no attention to it. You get in the bathroom and look in the mirror, and that's when you realize you have permanent marker all over your face and you are missing one eyebrow because it got shaved off the night before. "Fu**!"

First you think "whatever" but then those feelings quickly turn to anger as you swear to get your buddies back. After the shower you think to yourself that you will NEVER DRINK ALCOHOL again because you see what happened last time... (that last phrase is one you will say a 100 times in your college career)

..You go back to your room and lay down and turn on family guy and proceed to watch the next episode, but that's when you hear it again.. *knock knock* "Come on buddy lets go get drunk again!" You quickly swear at them and tell them to go away, knowing damn well that they will be back again to harass you.

You start to fall asleep again, as you're completely hung over, but then start to realize that it is Friday after all. And who stays in on a Friday? .. haha...

(and so it start again)

-------------

And this is the vicious cycle of college drinking. But whatever you only live once right? So go out and drink a beer and make a fool of yourself, while swearing never to drink again the next day.

So lets hear it... you have any stories of college that won't ever be forgotten because they were embarrassing of just plain bad a_ss? :D

Hahaha...

Confidence part #1

2009-03-27T14:54:00.003+01:00

The most attractive trait on a male, picked by women: CONFIDENCE.

Confidence is something that needs to be developed and worked on to achieve, we just don't magically have it over night. It takes a driven personality to consistently push and persevere through all situations. A 'chin up' approach to life. There is a dash of bravery in there and experience only adds to the pie. You need a bit of all to make the recipe for confidence work for you.

You need to make a choice and follow through and succeed and win. You don't go looking to add confidence, instead you live your daily life and follow through and complete your goals and confidence will be a bi-product of your success. Yes I just said you are getting a 2 for 1 deal here.

Confidence is something that gets better with consistently finishing the race, but not ONLY finishing but doing well. I mean why not win the race and see how you feel afterwards. I bet you will feel like superman after he saves the world and gets the girl. (Yes there is always a girl.. haha) You need to prepare for the race though, you can't just show up and expect to do well, you need to practice and train, and be mentally prepared for the bumps along the way. And why do we put ourselves through these races anyways? Because most of us love the challenge and want to succeed, nothing is much sweeter than the taste of victory or feeling of accomplishment.

I mean what did you feel like after you graduated high school or college? Relief? Confident that you finished? Happiness? I mean whatever it is you felt it was certainly a good feeling and one that is addicting and one that you want to visit again soon. And the more you do it and the more you succeed, the more your confidence will soar... believe me... I know this first hand.

You can't let life happen, you have to go out and make it happen. You have to wake up in the morning and say, "today is great and I am glad to be alive"then walk to the bathroom and say, "I can't wait to do X, Y and Z..." and after that make yourself some awesome waffles to get you started on the right track. Be proactive and go out and 'get it'...

This new added confidence you have will only make you that much more awesome. You will be able to get that guy or girl (or at least talk to her finally) and you will be able to start a race without the worry of wondering if you will finish or not. Confidence is a great thing and I guarantee once you have it you will never lose it.

And Yep! That's where I'll stop today... , don't want to give too many of my awesome hints away.. *wink wink* Although it is Friday, which is normally an awesome day, so that's why I feel the need to share more.

Ciao-

My love/hate relationship #2

2009-03-27T09:04:00.006+01:00

Girls… unbelievable

Girls are definitely on every guys love/hate list. I know I am speaking for my fellow suckers, err… umm guys.. when I say that girls, at any given moment, can switch from our love to hate list faster than we can think dirty thoughts when we see girls in bikini’s tanning on the beach. (and yes that’s fast..)

The female sex can get us guys to do stupid things we wouldn’t normally find ourselves doing, EVER. You know that guy who is buying tampons at 10pm at night and trying to look nonchalant about it. Or that guy in the other checkout lane who is buying marshmallows, a pink teddy bear, tiny pickles, graham crackers and a half a pint of rocky road ice cream all because his girl is pregnant and in a bad mood. Man can girls get us to do anything. *shakes head* (Because you know damn well he didn’t get a craving to dip pickles in ice cream with graham cracker crumbs on top.)

*Yes yuck*

And girls suck because all guys need them. I mean, what guy isn’t a ‘sucker’ for a great girl or the right girl? *raises hand* Guys want to be taken care of by a girl; we can’t always walk around and be macho and tough all the time. Walking around in a p3nis swinging contest gets tiring after awhile.. (don’t laugh you know it’s true) ..and having the comfort of a girl cuddle up next to you or *gasp* you have one that’s cool enough to make you dinner, life is grand. Because we all know the fast way to a guy’s heart is through his stomach. (I actually never understood the validity of that statement until a few years ago.. and man does a good meal make me happy, any guy second that?)

Can’t live with ‘em, can’t live without ‘em, and the older I get the more this rings true.

Damn you girls… and your super powers that seemingly are better than ours. Because all guys possess a heckavu a lot of awesomeness upon being born, haha.

You know what, I think one of these days I am going to invent something which lets us guys handle our never ending, ongoing battle which is known as the ‘love/hate girl relationship’ and then I will make millions… just wait it’s coming. Muwahaha!! *evil grin*

One last thing to show how powerful women are. You know it only takes 8.2 seconds for a man to possibly fall in love with a woman upon first meeting them?? (I told you we love them... damn it) Check it out ---> http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/5046517/8.2-seconds-needed-to-fall-in-love.html

Ohh yeah… T.G.I.F.!!!

Rhyme or reason

2009-03-23T15:36:00.004+01:00

People are so complex and so utterly amazing it’s incredible. It’s actually hard to wrap my mind around the complex things we put ourselves through and everything we can and do accomplish. People are crazy smart in so many different ways.

For example you have your dreamers and your abstract thinkers to the right who think about the craziest way to do something or the most amazing ideas ever. These are the people that help us think of all these neat gadgets and processes and unique, but better, ways of living or thinking. Then to the left you have the ‘doers’ and these people are the ones who can take a crazy idea and breath life into it until it grows and blossoms into something real that the dreamer could only believe in their minds just a short time ago.

And these are just two examples of the many cool people we have on this earth...

Our rapid ability to process complex information and to think outside of time and space is awesome. We truly have some great people on this earth and outside of the obvious recognized ones, most of us ‘normal folk’ are awesome as well and don’t even know it. I mean I have had children that just blow my mind with ideas they come up with.

People are such forward thinking creatures and it’s almost scary at how smart we are collectively. (This can work in the opposite way and we can be stupid as well) but when we want to its unreal what we can do. I mean we are literally the most complex super computers in the world.. we function unlike anything else and our brains are super cool.

Anyways, just wanted to start the week off by telling you that YOU are awesome and there is literally no end in sight as to what we can do and people can and WILL accomplish.

Either sit back and watch or get up and be part of it… your choice. You already know what mine is.

Ciao-

Let's hear it

2009-03-20T14:31:00.003+01:00

Alright alright, I am going to try this once and see how it works, because I haven’t done it yet but a few of you might get a kick out of it at my expense.. *hopes he doesn’t regret this*

So I know I cruise around being a crazy blogger and talking about all these random subjects which range from drunken stupors in college to my love/hate relationship with the internet. And I consistently talk about awesome things which could make life better and things that other people could do, but what about some reflection time?

What could I do to make this blog better?

Could “Mr. 24/7 Awesomeness” talk about dating topics more, or how girls really rule this world and men just live in it? Or is it better if I try to make this more personal and you can get a closer glimpse into ‘who the crap is this crazy 10 year old’ behind the keyboard? Give me some hints or tell me to go more left or right, I am curious to know your thoughts?

So the pressure is on, speak up? This is your chance for you to say what’s on your mind?

The good the bad and the ugly…. (I’m waiting..)

Ciao..

Bloggers are evil

2009-03-19T09:35:00.004+01:00

I just wanted to forewarn you guys that bloggers are evil and we do nothing more than harass people or certain controversial issues. Kind of like the media does to candidates during the election. Or how every time R. Kelly gets close to kids, or the Olsen twins, people freak.

According to the Salisbury mayor Barrie Tilghman, she sees that "...there is an abundance of mean spirited people with negative thoughts, and that this group is growing and is endangering the city's vitality.." And this group is described as, "malicious bloggers." (Here is the link, check it out yourselves: http://mddailyrecord.com/article.cfm?id=153345&type=Daily )

BAHAHA... this is nothing short of hilarious to me. Really, I am malicious? Hmm, I mean I have been called alot of things before like funny, drunk, stupid head (when I was 7), nerd, a bad driver and the list goes on. But Malicious blogger? Dang... that's a new one. *writes it down*

I thought this was pretty good and figured I should share it with you. I figured I should warn you and tell you to stay in your house at night and turn your computers off, because people like me are out there blogging away.

But just to nail my point home, I found this. And you need to make yourself aware of these "blogging gang signs" If you see these or know people that use these signs, please tell the police. We need your help to keep them away from keyboards everywhere. They have been described as nerdy looking, varying in height and weight, glasses are more prevalent than not, normally are very good at video games and love to spend their nights alone in front of an over sized computer screen.

Please beware:

(this has been a 24/7 Awesomeness warning.. 2009)

What is college?

2009-03-17T09:04:00.003+01:00

Lets take a flash back in time and talk about exactly that, what was college?

First thing that comes to mind in one word is “blur”. College was a time when it didn’t matter how much you drank, how stupid you acted or what party you attended last night but that you at least made an appearance there and managed to make it outside before vomiting on the front lawn. (Bonus points for not spilling your beer through all of this)

Yes this is a time in our lives were there is a lot of regretting, a lot of forgetting (due to alcohol) and even more missed classes then the kid who actually had mono. This was a time where you are supposed to enjoy your life, the fun years, where you make friends, have endless freedom until getting caught by the police, laugh you’re a_ss off, never sleep, eat shitty cafeteria food and gain 10, err umm.. 5 lbs, and most of all figure out more about yourself then you could have ever imagined possible. (This includes realizing that 'yes' you indead are not a morning person)

During this time you will most certainly skip classes, miss tests because of a guy named Jack Daniels, swear off drinking 10+ times as you are driving the porcelain bus, have moments of pure ecstasy because you finally understand differential equations (diffy Q), and experience the emotions of defeat as well as the ‘highs’ of winning..(a game of beer pong)

*takes a moment*

Man beer pong was fun, just wanted to take a second and think about it and laugh. Who knew college kids would eventually be the prime supporters of ping pong balls and plastic cups? Haha..

My personal Experiences in college included crazy events such as streaking in broad daylight (alcohol recommended for this one, and shoes) tail-gating for a big game and not even making it into the stadium because sleeping on the pavement seemed like a better idea, late night eating binges that involved some funky green stuff, and crashing a $500,000 B-172 Cessna. (e-mail me with questions on that last one) So you see all of us have had crazy experiences in college, and this is the time to do it because you can’t get away with the same shjt at 25 or 30 years of age. Trust me. So enjoy it while it lasts, and don’t miss a thing.

In some sort of a conclusion to this, I just want to say if you haven’t been to college yet, enjoy it. They will be some of the most memorable years in your life. Or the ones you can’t remember, haha. Either way you learn how to learn. You jump through hoops and pass tests all in search of a piece of paper that says, finished. But it’s a whole lot deeper than that, it’s a time of finding yourself and learning as much as you can about the world, girls and alcohol. (More the last 2, but you get the point.)

And for those of you who have gone through college I hope you had as good of a time as I did and I hope I provided a laugh for you in reading this… hahaha! (Or I just managed to steal some of your time in the day.. *sticks out tongue*) Either way I am sure you experienced what we like to call 'college', but we really can refer to it as a ‘blur’ when being honest to ourselves..

Compliments

2009-03-16T10:29:00.004+01:00

Try this sometime.

I know that compliments are awesome and that they make someone feel better, but there is a bit of a catch to it, and that comes from how you administer one and when.

You need to say one at an unexpected time, because like an attack from an opposing army that is expecting it, it doesn't work so well if at all if it is premeditated. *cue rolling eyes from the recipient* You also need to to be honest about the comment and not over do it. People know when you are pushing it and aren't oblivious to overwhelming compliments. In fact they do the opposite and normally make the person mad. So instead of doing that, be honest like the person below...

(A couple shopping together, you can guess who is who, real story)
person 1: Do you think I should try this dress on?
person 2: Yeah it looks good on the rack...
person 1: (after changing and a bit unsure) What do you think?
person 2: Well it looked good on the rack..
person 1: (no response, just a stare. . .) okay, remind me to never go shopping with you again.

I know this wasn't the response that person 1 was looking for but it's a helluva a lot better then being a liar, plus you don't feel bad afterwards, because it was the truth. Person 1 will understand and thank you for not letting them purchase a green spotted dress with purple colors mixed in.

What I am getting at is simple though. Give compliments when they should be given. You need to recognize people if you're a manager and say "thanks", I mean it's not very hard and it means alot to your co-worker. You create a better work place and they feel appreciated, and you better believe they will remember. Give compliments that are meaningful and show you actually care, people remember these for years on end if they are given with true sincerity and mean alot when you give them to the people who are close to you.

I don't want to get all sappy and crap, because I am not good at it, but you get the point. And that's be awesome and make other people feel awesome with you. That way you can create an awesome clan and rule the world..! (falls off soapbox)

Da_mn I am starting to sound all 'self help-ish', hahaha.. I need to get back to my normal ways, talk to you later...

The Timeout

2009-03-15T18:46:00.003+01:00

Wow, life just keeps getting better and better and is so perfect when you get a chance to sit back and drink a beer and just enjoy it for a bit...

...I am sure that most of you are like me and have quite a grueling schedule day in and day out and rarely get that chance to truly unwind a bit and kick back and do nothing.. absolutely nothing.

Man does that feel great! And 'great' doesn't give it enough justice, it is so nice when you get the moments that slow down time. The moments where everything just is, and you wouldn't have it any other way. This is something a bit hard for me to describe, but I hope you can stay with me..

Some people get this feeling of euphoria after a long day, and they get an extra 30 minutes to rest, without their kids screaming around the house. Or maybe you just had an awesome football or volleyball game and you made the winning shot and after you just get to savor that moment. God does that feel good.. doesn't it?

You won, you got your 30 minutes of freedom or your 30 seconds of complete 'perfectness', nothing else matters and everything is standing still..

I am going to call this moment, "The Timeout", and I am calling it that because that's how it feels. You get a chance, a moment, to just be.

Make sure you are getting these 'timeouts' in your life and treasure them when you have them.. they don't last for long and they don't come around all the time, but damn do they feel awesome....

I hope you weekends were nothing short of that.

Positive vs. Negative

2009-03-13T09:07:00.003+01:00

I am going to steal an idea from my buddy over at Awesomeness Inc, while putting my own twist on it of course.. haha. *sticks tongue out*

I got a comment about a post I wrote yesterday and this person managed to pull out a negative point in a post that was strictly supposed to be happy and nothing else? So I started thinking about myself and was wondering, "am I really posting negative things and writing about mind numbing ideas that make people get down?"

I don't think so? I mean tell me if I am wrong, but my main goal is to write awesome things and to give you guys something to munch on for a mid-lunch snack while you are working at the office or babysitting some crazy monkeys? (don't know what it is that you do.. you see I'm guessing)

So it got me thinking further about negative vs. positive. I think you need to have a positive mindset to even see the positive parts in a piece of writing, and if you have negative thoughts already flowing in your head, you will only be able to pick out the negative parts. Sounds simple and logical right?

I mean I try to wake up like my buddy 'A.I.' and I try to say "today is going to be a great day!" everyday I wake up. I mean I think I probably smile in my sleep and that's the way I like it. I like that happiness is contagious and that I can spread it like a disease.. haaha (watch out) You better all catch it too. If one of you walks away with a smile after reading about something good or about a thought you got from here, then I am stoked. (tell me about it, I would love to hear)

But on the other side of it if you are one of those chronic negative people, and I know you all just thought of someone you know that is negative 90+ percent of the time you see them, then I don't have time for you. I can handle a little negativity here and some there, but if you are throwing it in my face every waking minute I see you then I don't have the time for you. I mean if I could help I would, but these people really don't want help, they just want to be miserable to let the whole world know it. (please do the rest of us happy normal people a favor and leave us alone)

Here, I have a 24/7 awesomeness proposal for you. Try it! I want you to try to be happy even when shitty things happen, look at the good side for once. Look at the fact that you should be happy that you even woke up this morning, because you know and I know not everyone woke up from last night. And think about positive thoughts for a day, and this starts from the moment you get up... look in the mirror while brushing your teeth and say "today is a good day" just do it, just try it..

.. be awesome!

Ciao!

A Beautiful Mind

2009-03-11T14:06:00.005+01:00

This term is crazy awesome, I mean what is a beautiful mind?

*pause for a second*

Really those three words could keep your mind wrapped up for awhile, I know mine have been thinking about that concept for the better half of a day now.

What makes a mind beautiful, I mean obviously we aren't talking how it looks but rather how it thinks and functions. And by the way we say this phrase it's referring to some one's mind that is not only unique and beautiful, but that there are not many in thee entire world like it.

A beautiful mind is one that works so flawlessly that it neither has to slow down for complex situations nor pause for any sort of reason other than it wants to. It's a not only a beautiful mind, but almost the word 'perfect' could be interchanged for beautiful as well. Now I know nothing is really ever perfect but you see how you could come to this conclusion..

..the same way you can say a woman is beautiful and in the next breath that she is perfect..

I think this phrase is so interesting and captivating, and at the same time mysterious and that's the reason we pause for a second when hearing it.... 'A Beautiful Mind'

I personally get flooded with a million crazy awesome thoughts, all of which are so hard to grasp and put on paper, so I will pose the question to you...

What comes to your mind when you hear: A Beautiful Mind.......

words/cliche's to do away with?

2009-03-10T02:47:00.004+01:00

So I was thinking about words we really don't need in our already humongous English dictionary, and to go with those, the cliche's that are either overused or just don't have the meaning they once had.

I mean when people go to business meeting and have to bring with their 'business' dictionaries to decode what the happy, feel good speaker is saying. "win-win, and outside the box" that's where we need to draw a line.. (fuck there's another one.. 'draw the line')

You see they are such a part of our language it's hard not use them. Try it once.. But anyways here is my quick and short list of words/cliche's we could do away with:

"a perfect storm" which has been applied to virtually any notable coincidence..
"x is the new y" seriously? chocolate is not the new sex and 2010 is not the new 1970.
"organic", how many times have we seen this used to explain everything and anything? From water (no shit really?) to cat food...
"post 9/11" has really outlived it's meaning as well. Come on, drop this please.
"thrown under the bus" and this one is related to color commentators, come on guys use a dang thesaurus and get a new phrase. (referring to a player who takes the blame)
"best movie, best popcorn, etc" When you describe something as the best and then the next product on the shelf says the same thing, the meaning is nullified IMO.
"cutting edge or state of the art" How many times have we seen these?
"when we take a noun and make it into a verb" Like Christmas becomes Christmassing or something of the like.. come on, its a frickin' noun, leave it that way.
"drinking the kool-aid" Alright this one has recently made me mad on message boards. I am sick of someone saying (when they are brainwashed or something) that they are just drinking the 'kool-aid' or they are 'kool-aid drinkers'. I love kool-aid so shut up. haha.
Lastly, and I know all of you love this word... "moist" seriously, I have wanted this word out of our dictionary for so long.. yuck. There is not good time to use that word and if you think so please let me know?

I know there is alot more that I have forgotten on the short and brief list above, but you get the point. If there is other ones that must go above, please post them in the comments. :)

I think alot of meaning gets lost in our language due to these cliche sayings and once powerful and meaningful words. We need to think of new ones, because these ones have lost their power, kind of like superman without his strength. (not so cool now is he?)

So lets help lead a new wave of people in creating new hip sayings and getting rid of the old garbage, it's about time we take it out... right?

Ciao!

Subliminal Thoughts

2009-03-09T09:35:00.003+01:00

So I was sleeping, just chilling thinking about Halle Berry and Jessica Alba wrestling in mud (a very common man dream) and then all of a sudden that dream stopped and I was trapped in this bathroom and I couldn't get out?

I was like what gives, I was having a good dream and then some little punk kid came in and changed the station? I wasn't happy, but since I was sleeping, there wasn't much I could do but continue to watch myself in this bathroom with like 8 other dudes.. and I think it was in a fast food restaurant to top it off.. yuck!

So I do my thing then wash my hands and then try to leave but there wasn't a door to leave? Now I am really pissed off and thinking 'bring back Ms. Alba' damn it. So I start looking for an exit for like what seemed like an eternity... then all of a sudden I wake up.. and I find myself running to the bathroom in real life to take a pi**.

I think I was in the bathroom for like 2 minutes realistically while I let my bladder completely empty. I kept looking down going wtf is going on? This never happens... haha. So anyways I finish and it gets me thinking that my body played a funny trick on me to get me to wake up to go to the bathroom. (change the channel from mud wrestling to the bathroom from hell)
So my question I am wondering is how many times does our body or our brain subliminally tell us something? Maybe because you need to wake up for the bathroom or maybe you get a gut feeling that throwing pumpkins at moving vehicles is not a smart idea? (bit extreme) but you get the point.

I am currently reading a book called, "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell and he talks about this exact same thing in a another way though. He talks about that people, or scientists, can look at a couple for 5 seconds and tell with 95% accuracy if they will be married in 15 years.. that’s crazy? That has to be some subliminal thinking going on as well or these guys are just crazy guessers. My thought was to get them on Jeopardy or some other game show with gut instincts that good.. haha.

Anyways.. just a random thought about the things that we can't control that our brain does, do you ever get these?

S-e-x after marriage?

2009-03-06T14:55:00.004+01:00

So I was trying to kill a few minutes as I feverishly watch the clock to hit a magical time in the afternoon, a time that says I put in my dues on a Friday and I can go home. (note: I actually love my job, but see the below post and you know why..)

So anyways I came across this great article about women and their married sex lives. So being a guy like I am, I stopped to check it out. Pretty interesting... actually pretty interestingly sad. Check this stat out:

over 50% of married women describe their married sex lives as depressing, embarrassing or a hassle..
29% are just too tired..
24% said a bubble bath would be better
26% would rather read some science fiction novel by Stephen king..

Really?!?!

Come on guys, that's pathetic. How does your wife describe your sex life, which had to be lively and vibrant at some point as drab, depressing and a turn-off? I want to know how this happens? Did one of you 'let yourself go' in a big way so that the other is not attracted or is it just you really have no time for it anymore?

This is something the next wave of men need to make right. I need your help (girls too.. because we all know you have sex drives like no other as well at times) guys and we need to change this statistic. I mean I don't want my wife to roll over in bed and say, "baby I am too tired, can I just read my book?"

Guys want to generally give alot to their wives and make everything perfect because that's the way most of us are. (puts on his marriage counseling hat) Seriously I know I haven't tied the knot, but I know enough that the physical parts of the relationship are important and need to at least be existent. Why do you think everyone knows the words "Kama sutra?" Because people are trying actively to spice up their love lives.. but apparently 50% of guys and girls are striking out after marriage.

Is this because of kids or because you were not ready to be married in the first place? I dunno.. you tell me? But it's pretty 'ironic', to say the least, that 50% of marriages also end in divorce. Hmm, might be a correlation? No sex, no marriage...

Check it out below: Later guys/girls, and enjoy your Friday. :P

http://www.nowpublic.com/culture/poll-married-women-hate-sex

Shake the funk or too much?

2009-03-06T09:52:00.005+01:00

So I haven't been quite my awesome self lately, in fact I feel like shjt and can't sleep. It's the best feeling in the world when you 'wake up' after not sleeping with your head about to explode like Chernobyl and your glands in your throat feeling like over sized bananas... (wish I had a monkey)

..but have no fear, I am still kickin' and that's all that matters, right??

So here's whats going through my brain, when do you keep your head up and fight through the sickness or problems and when do you final throw the white flag up and say I need my bed worse than Oscar the grouch needs his garbage can?

I am a traditional fight to the end type of guy, because that's what awesome people do.. haha. (ouch, hurts to laugh) But there has to be a point when you throw in the towel and say I am done.. time to curl up in a ball and count sheep, right?

WRONG! I am not going to do it. I will just take the funky medicine that a doctor prescribes and gut it out. Try to catch the addition nap here and there, and hope my immune system comes back from holidays sooner than later. (Hawaii must be nice..)

(Ok I do understand that when you are truly beyond repair you need to stop and recharge the batteries, but I don't think I am there yet. 'Think' being the key word there...)

So without getting too much more in detail, does anyone have any suggestions other than sleep, that is a 'get well quick' remedy? I'm all ears... I know there is some awesome ideas out there.

It's never easy...

2009-03-04T10:53:00.004+01:00

So I was lucky enough *cracks a smirk* to be able to experience a Swiss holiday called, "fasnacht". Let me explain this first, fasnacht is like mardi gras and Halloween thrown together in a blender and then add everclear & tequila with a bit of coke. (the none liquid kind)

So while your trying to imagine "pink elephants on ice skates with purple spotted rain suits," because that's probably the visual you would get.., I'll explain further what these people do.

Here's the checklist:

Stay Awake: They start on Friday night and stay awake until the following Wednesday morning. Only taking sleep while in-between switching the tap that they fixed on the 1.75 L of Vodka they are sipping out of with a straw. (literally I saw this)

Dress like a person from a mental ward: Anything and everything you could think of is tried. I saw someone dress up as a stoplight, yeah an actual 8 foot tall stop light?? And I saw the biggest f***ing rabbit in my entire life, the guy was probably 7 feet tall and easily 300 pounds. I asked him if he liked carrots (in German) and he didn't give me a nice look, so I left abruptly. haha.

Drink as much as humanly possible: By enough I mean try and beat Tara Reid on her birthday, not going to happen...

Dance if you can: By dance if you can I mean, try to stay stand up and wiggle while being packed into a bar like sardines. I see now why they do this as you have no choice but to all hold each other up, because no one person has enough coordination left to stand alone. This means the hot looking girl next to you as well. Bonus, except for the fact you can be sure she puked 3 times already, but whatever she still thinks your hot..

Listen to Kukamusic (Butchered that spelling for sure): This "special" kind of music sounds like this. High school band, minus the wind instruments, gone wrong meets some dude who randomly beats on a piece of hollow wood for 12 hours straight. Yeah I know, it's horrible, and only the sound of someone who is slurring words like he just was in a car accident seems to like it. All the better right?

Sounds fun right? The most important part of this fasnacht though is this: Take the entire rest of the week off and sleep. (I didn't) Because it will possibly kill you at work.

And they do this why? Well it originally started because they believed they could 'scare' the cold/winter away. (The silly reasons us humans think of to drink eh?)

So, why am I telling you about a crazy holiday but yet named the topic "it's never easy..."? Well that's simple, because I wanted to talk about how the good things in life are not easy and don't come easy and you need to work for them. *screwed up way to talk about it, I know* But stick with me.

So you just had a long weekend because you were out being awesome and now Monday comes around. You have work to do, practice, weightlifting, running, appointments to go to, people who need you and your time, etc. And then comes that moment when you have to make a choice, one that is never easy.

Do I help someone? Do I go to the gym?

Well you feel like shit, and would rather sleep, the taste of liquor might still be overpowering the toothpaste you just stuck in your mouth and I mean you can just miss it and go home and make it up next week right?

Wrong, you need to go. And you need to go for a few reasons. Mainly because it's something you need and it's something you want, but depending on how you answer this question 'yes or no' will explain to you how bad you actually want it.

Yes it will suck, yes it probably won't be fun, yes those weights are going to kick your ass, but how good will you feel after? And it's in that moment that you get paid off handsomely for gutting it out, because you gain the most out of the things that are the hardest to do.

Always push through, why not? Be awesome and do it! You can move mountains if you want to and these things will be the most gratifying in the end anyways, believe me. You'll thank yourself later.

So remember the good things are never easy. (and the easy things are rarely good) :P

Be back with more awesomeness later, wooohooo!

Outside the box

2009-03-03T13:29:00.002+01:00

So I was talking to my awesome friend 'E' and while we were talking I realized how crappy it is to live 'inside' the box. To be confined by rules upon rules and restrictions piled on top of regulations..

..I don't want to say rules are a bad thing, (well they do kinda suck) but more that you need to have flexibility, trust and some wiggle room under those rules.

For instance at work you need to be trusted and not micro managed like you are a kindergartner during recess or R. Kelly at an Olsen twins slumber party. And to go along with that trust you need to be appreciated. (with these two things, watch your co-workers soar while you are their manager!)

And let them live 'outside' the box for a bit, amazing what that will to for them in terms of productivity and overall happiness. What I mean by 'outside' the box is encourage them to be creative and proactive and to handle issues on their own. If you have good employees and you already have trust established, let them make a few decisions, give them a $20 heater under their desks in the winter or add their favorite candy in the vending machines.. I don't care what you do, but let me tell you one thing, these little things go a long ways. (sorry for the cliche)

(This might get a little crazy but try and follow me...)

People need to (live outside the box) and do a few things to have a happier life:

Take chances, and I don't mean eating McDonald's and trying not to puke.
Challenge the status quo, because who wants to be normal anyways?
Push personal limits and venture outside the comfort zone, this doesn't mean trying a caribou coffee over Starbucks for a day.
Think of the unthinkables and then go do them, we all have ideas, so make them more than just thoughts.
Exceed expectations, why(?), because you can!

And that last point reminds me to not forget this, "Yes we can" (stupidest slogan ever.. we can what... retard? I always wanted to ask him that... *shakes head at our ever intelligent leader*)

Sorry about the random rant, but it's just me being awesome.. No for real... don't laugh..

Quick Thanks

2009-02-28T14:58:00.005+01:00

How is the weekend treating you? I hope you had a few drinks or got to hang out with some friends or family, because there isn't too many things in this life more important.

I was thinking about friends and how awesome mine are and where I'd be without them, I definitely wouldn't be having such an awesome life thats for sure.

So *raises his glass* here's to my friends, may you always get back up after falling down and continue to laugh at me after I fall right after you. I don't know what I would do without you and I hope to always have the encouraging words to take those last 3 shots sitting on the bar to make the girl sitting across the other side look better. (no really thanks) I appreciate all the food we have consumed after drinking the entire day in an attempt to out drink each other... always a great idea.. and then thanks for throwing me in the shower when you think I am 'too' intoxicated to make it the extra 3 feet to the toilet.

I will never forget everything you've done for me or the places you have been with me.

*puts glass down*

Now in all seriousness, you really are awesome. Make sure to let those people around you know that from time to time, it's good to let the people that help you through life know how much they mean to you.

Just a friendly note, now go back to having an awesome weekend! Caio!

Dumb or meaningless slogans

2009-02-27T16:45:00.009+01:00

Seriously.. I was chilling around being awesome (if you know me laugh) and I was thinking about all the crazy slogans companies have and seemingly put millions of marketing dollars into. It's like the more meaningless and utterly vague it is the better it gets. Here let me make a quick list of these beauties..

..then you be the judge if they are stupid or not?

United Airlines, "Rising" (used to be an old slogan of theirs) Really?? You couldn't think of a better slogan than that, I mean I guess it's better than "Falling" right? This slogan makes me think wtf is rising anyways... hmm, maybe they have hot stewardesses, that would create a rise.

H&R Block, "You got people", I got people? What do you mean I got people, I mean this company is supposed to be good at accuracy right, so this slogan is a bit misleading because I have no idea who these people are? How old are they? Are they kids, do I have to take care of them? Well at least I 'got' something...

Nike, "Just do it" this slogan is great! I mean I have no idea what I am doing nor do the people that thought it up, but it sounds cool. And it makes me want to do it.. whatever 'it' is.. I actually like this one because it makes you think...

McDonald's, "We love to see you smile" Well dude, if that's all you want then I guess I will just walk into a local McDonald's and smile at the cashier while I twittle my thumbs, then walk out. Glad I made your day.. Or how about their new one "I'm Loving It", what are you loving exactly? The fact that your food makes me vomit after eating it and only on really drunk occasions I actually stumble in there? Or it could be the diarrhea it hits you with..

"Obey your thirst", .. or what I might get dehydrated and pass out? This slogan doesn't really make me want to buy their product. It's not like I have conversations with my thirst and I actually have to listen to it, in fact sometimes I actually do 'obey' my thirst too well, especially in those drunken years known as college... (Think of a better one Sprite)

And to finish this completely random rant, I leave you with this one:

Captain Morgen, "Got a little captain in you? Drink Responsibly" Duuuuude, seriously! If I am taking orders from a cartoon character telling me to drink responsibly, I must be already in a drunken stupor. And their ads with people walking around like a lost puppy looking like they are going to pee on a fire hydrant are stupid at best... Well at least they kept my attention long enough to not turn the channel...

And just because we are talking about advertising, in lieu of the crisis, we should change some of these corporate companies logos. So I looked around the Internet and found these... Enjoy your awesome Friday!

Just do it

2009-02-27T14:43:00.009+01:00

..I mean why not? I know this saying is cliche, and marketed the shjt out of by Nike already, but it has such a powerful meaning behind it. If you want, you can even play with the words a bit and change it if you don't like Nike's way, like "challenge the limits" which was coined by a Swiss oil company I worked for..

Either way there really isn't a slogan like it that has so much meaning and can be related to so many things, in so few words...

[We need to just do it and I'll tell you why in a minute.]

...So I am currently going for total world domination right now (takes awhile) so while that is marinating I am learning a few other "hard things" first. Like I am currently starting to run a lot to build up stamina to compete in a marathon, which is something I have never done before. Ok ok.. compete sounds a bit hard, like I think I could actually win or something, because that's actually not the point. I am realistically just hoping to fall over the finish line after 26 some odd miles (42 km) without collapsing from utter exhaustion before that. You might be laughing but give me a break I am kinda a fat kid at heart.

And doing this training is hard, like trying to beat Zelda on original Nintendo hard, or trying to get Dominoes pizza to deliver at 4.30am in the morning because you all of a sudden need food for your drinking team.

Personally I like challenges, like trying to drink 'Extra Strength Nyquil' before reading a book in bed... (try this, I bet you don't get past page 1) or trying to pass Calculus 4 in college, that's not even hard but impossible..

A lot of people take the easy road, because the fear of falling down is so overwhelming to them that they never challenge the limits or push themselves outside of their comfort zones. You can't be afraid of falling down, I mean it's better to have fallen down then to never have fallen at all...right?

Put it like this, Life is a contact sport not a spectator sport. So there will be times where you disagree with the ref, there will be times when you need to work together to achieve a goal. You will have your fair share of wins and losses, but at the end of the day you're still having fun and you do it for the love of the game. So go out and love the game.

I mean it's impossible to reach your potential if you never challenge yourself..

And you know what, it gets better the more you challenge yourself. The power of your mind and the drive that you have is enough to propel you through anything. I mean after you complete something that's hard, you try something that's even harder after that... and the rewards keep getting bigger and better the harder something is. (It's like training for a marathon, I keep building up my tolerance and eventually I reach my goal, complete Awesomeness!)

So go out and challenge your limits, think of something right now that you think is unachievable. Then just do it, and come back here and proclaim how awesome you are!

I am waiting..

Are men better drivers?

2009-02-27T10:36:00.005+01:00

I know that this has been said many times and yeah I will agree when I am throwing back a cold beer with my buddies, but to be honest I don't think that having a penis makes you a better driver...

Although I do think (this is all my personal opinion of course) that men have a better sense of 'general' direction most of the time, but the counter point to that is that women do quite well with a map in hand... usually. (I say usually, because I have 3 younger sisters and there has been many times that they were a no-show at an event because they couldn't find the place.. It's always funny to get a phone call from them asking if I have ever heard of "boondock street" really?? 'nuff said)

So anyways, I happened to stumble across a hilarious clip in which it shows how great female drivers are. (Ok in only half of them women stepped out of the car, but I will trust the maker of the clip compilation that all were women.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rHY1qKLLws&eurl=http://hfboards.com/showthread.php?t=611306

Just a nice Friday morning laugh for you.. Trying to bring you awesomeness 24-7! Enjoy...

Really? whats next...

2009-02-26T15:27:00.006+01:00

If you want to see retarded engineering at it's finest, you have to check out the new pomegranate phone. Umm yeah you heard me right, that little red fruit that looks funny and tastes weird.. well now they named a phone after it.

This phone is 50% retarded, 75% ugly and 100% useless. Let me explain my haste judgement and rash thinking.

This phone can do the following:
-Shave your face
-Make coffee (yeah a fakking coffee making phone)
-Harmonica (because we know you so desperately need one)
-Voice translator (huh, really?)

Just to name a few of it's functions. So I guess you can say it's unique, but I am still not sure if it can even make phone calls? (although they are claiming it can) As well as Internet and all the other modern day functions we are getting used too.

Move over I-phone and make room for your retarded, red-headed step sister. She can play music, shave your face and even make coffee for you..

The things people think up nowadays are hilarious. I don't even know what this thing costs, nor do I care, but it can't be cheap. (Maybe they give you free packs of coffee to go with it when you sign a contract?) Could be a good selling point.

Check this thing out yourself.... http://www.pomegranatephone.com/

Forget the big stuff..

2009-02-26T08:30:00.007+01:00

...Ok don't literally forget the big stuff, like valentine's day, birthdays, Christmas... (especially your moms and/or girlfriends)

But lets put those away for a moment, and think about the little things. The things that most people would say matter a heck of a lot more. Like the small kisses that are 100% unexpected, the card you made by hand for someone for no particular reason at all, the flowers you sent just because, or even that dinner you made for your siblings, even if they could barely eat it.. (it's the thought that counts, in fact, I once made mac & cheese for my sisters and it turned into cheesy noodle soup because of the excessive amount of milk I used..)

*bad cooking memories* haha

Or even like the picture suggests, a small handshake to show you respect and appreciate someone else, because sometimes these gestures speak much louder than words.

Either way take time out to do these 'little nothings' more, you will feel great afterwards and believe me the person will appreciate it to no end, keep passing the awesomeness around.

My love/hate relationship...

2009-02-25T23:44:00.004+01:00

I want to share with you my never ending love/hate relationship.. and that special someone is called "the internet".

She is the only one that can make me love her and absolutely hate her at the same time, there is times I literally feel like Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde at the same moment. I actually want to throw the the computer out the window because it can't get a good connection and then 20 minutes later I am back digging in the bushes trying to proclaim how sorry I am... (don't picture that, haha)

She is like a drug to be honest, the most addicting one ever. I mean if you thought pot or beer was addicting at times, then obviously you have never been stuck without your internet for longer than a day or 2. Seriously try it, I bet you will realize how much you need her. (or him for the girl readers)

I love the speed somedays and I how well I can navigate from page to page with ease, then other days I can't even look at the weather page and it just so happened to be the day that I left my jacket and gloves at home as I was out for a jog, yeah shitty... Gotta love when she plays a trick like that on you.

I can literally find everything and anything through her, she can tell me my aunt's long lost cousin who's father was a convict... what?!? We are related... thanks alot for letting me know. I mean the possibilities are endless, especially with that these 'speed of light' search engines, I mean really who brings back results like these? 1,660,000,000 for the word love in the super slow speed of (0.16 seconds). Really? wrap your mind around that..

The internet is great, little guys who have small.. err umm packages, (for the lack of a better word) can hide behind the screen in their cubicles at work or at home and act like they have the biggest "you know what" of them all. Unreal, you don't even know how many times I would have loved to have met that 10 year old boy typing words like "pee-pee head" at me through the internet.

The internet can be too personal as well, I mean now everytime I hear someone say, "you got a myspace page" I think to myself 'must be a pedophile.' I know that is sterotyping but I am just saying...

I mean I can connect to anyone at anytime, anywhere. Thats sick. But at the same time I have friends all over the world which can only be described by one word "AWESOME!"

One last thing I wonder about is the fact that it isn't personal enough at times, where are the humans? I think this is taken for granted at how nice it is to talk to a normal human. (Believe me I love the affair I have with the internet) But sometimes it's too much.

Either way, I don't know if I will ever stop my love/hate relationship with the internet, I just hope my wife doesn't mind.. haha!

The right media?

2009-02-25T10:05:00.004+01:00

Newspapers, internet blogs, television news, the list goes on. How do you choose which one to read or what internet site to frequent?

There is so many to choose from? And the biases of most are blatantly obvious. Do you choose to go with the most neutral one or the one that is the most local? Or maybe you are one that only believes religiously in the wall street journal or possibly maybe only one particular columnist and read nothing but his/her articles.

I personally have a friend thats obsessed with Ann Coultier and her extreme conservative views, so I can see how that happens.

And on the other side I have people I can think of right now that I believe absolutely know NOTHING about anything and I avoid their articles like the plague. Either way, what media is the right media and how do you choose?

I personally choose whoever is the most awesome and positive person... I am not into the negative side of things or life for that matter. Just pure awesomeness! Seek it out and find it wherever you can...

Friends don't let friends fly 'Continental'

2009-02-25T08:13:00.003+01:00

Talk about the worst service you could possible get, service as in getting me to my destination at the time I am supposed to get there. I mean I am lucky to even be there in the same day let alone have my luggage make it, which it didn't. No worries though I have lost my luggage at the airport, err umm correction, the airline(s) (trying to not place blame on only Continental but they are the most recent to screw up and probably the worst so far) have lost my luggage for the 3rd or 4th time in the last year.

Not to mention I got re-routed 3 times just to make it back home, and the whole all out olympic style sprint across the London-Heathow airport is always my idea of a good time. Can you say 'sweaty as a son-of-a-bitch' wow.. The lady was like "no need to run you have time..." and no more then 5 seconds after she said that, the door closed behind me.... haha, yeah right lady plenty of time.

I can't blame everything on Continental though, I mean some of the blame has to go to the Newark airport which could be the worst and slowest airport I have ever seen.. I mean there is not one single frickin clock in that entire building, not one?? And it seems as though people there are accustomed to everything running as fast as molasses in the winter in MN. And I say that because everyone was so happy, I couldn't believe how nice they were for being such a crappy airport as far as timeliness goes. BTW, he whole 'pull me off to the side and feel my up and down while looking for something illegal is great' I think that happens to me every other time I fly, does anyone else have this kind of luck?

Lesson learned, pay the extra $100-200 dollars and get on with someone who is reliable.