And the Walls Came Tumbling Down.

I've been watching Jericho and reading The Walking Dead. It's putting me into survival mode. I'm going to make a list of stuff I need in case of an emergency situation. Of course, Jericho hits a little closer to home than The Walking Dead. Now there are two situations that these supplies call for, a situation of anarchy where a whole town, state, or the country is in a state of emergency. A more plausible situation is where I am either lost in the woods or stranded because my car broke down. I will label each item accordingly (A for anarchy and S for Stranded)

Large Tank or Barrel for gas. (A)
A Generator. (A)
Two Way Radios (A)
Hand crank gas pump. (A)
Siphon hose. (A)
Shovel. (A)
Binoculars. (A)
Rope. (A/S)
Map. (A/S)
Compass. (A/S)
Cat litter. (Specifically for tire traction)
At least 20 Jugs of Water. (A)
A simple tool kit (hammer, flathead and phillips screw driver, crescent wrench, crowbar.)(A/S)
Hand crank flash light/radio. (A/S)
Flash Light. (A/S)
Batteries (all sizes). (A/S)
Candles. (A/S)
Glow Sticks (A/S)
HAM Radio. (A)
Lighter, Matches, and Flint. (A/S)
Canned Foods or MREs (meals ready to eat). (A)
Back Pack. (A/S)
A Whistle. (A/S)
Blankets. (A/S)
First Aid Kit. (A/S)
A Knife. (A/S)
A Pistol. (A)
A Rifle w/ Scope. (A)
A Shotgun. (A)
Crossbow? (A)
Axe. (A)
Lots of Ammo. (A)
Motorcycle or Four-Wheeler. (A)
Bicycle. (A)
Books. (A)

Now, realize, any gas powered machine is only reliable as long as there is a solid supply of gas. So that's why a Bicycle is a must. A single lit candle will supposedly keep you warm in a car if you get stranded because your car breaks down and you're stuck in rain or snow. Of course you should keep the vents closed so that the heat stays in.

Survive.

Congratulations.

Today I became occupied with something that allowed my mind to wander. And because such a situation came about, I thought back to a recent social gathering that I attended not too long ago. I overheard a man who is twice divorced, congratulate a newly engaged woman. Although he congratulated her, what I heard was more like "My Condolences." I sat in the floor thinking, as I toiled away at the task at hand, about how a congratulations for becoming engaged from someone who is twice divorced could be taken almost as an insult.

If I were the one being congratulated by that man, I would be under the impression that he isn't sincere. Not that he means to be insincere necessarily, but because of his experience with marriage, I would not feel that he means to congratulate most sincerely, as that man is very likely biased tremendously against marriage.

On the opposite side of this I would take a pastor's congratulations whole-heartedly. Let's assume of course that the pastor in question is indeed a just man with no secrets. This man has the authority to bring a man and a woman together in holy matrimony. So to be congratulated for it from a pastor would leave me less skeptical of the possibility that the man has biased thoughts behind his eyes and in congratulating me he would also vicariously be giving me his blessings.

Now that I've gone through this social scenario, I have come to the conclusion that this is not the most just of thinking. For in thinking this way I have faltered in that I have judged the person who gave the congratulations. Perhaps it's not so important a thing who is giving the congratulations, but just that they are giving the congratulations. But in my human nature it is hard not to have such thoughts regarding the sincerity of someone who is giving their congratulations.

My Sentiments Exactly.

I'm a Christian. And to read this just makes me feel good to know that there are other people out there with the same thoughts. I wonder how I'll deal with these issues when I have a child.

A Commentary on the Holidays

A word of caution.

Don't make yourself dizzy in the shower. For your health.

Store Brand Goods.

Many of the store brand goods are actually name brand products that have simply been relabeled. So if you feel like you need name brand products just to look like you're not a cheap person, then you're probably poorer than those who enjoy the same products as you at a cheaper price.

The Wiki

My Taste in Music.

My music tastes vary widely but there are really two that I focus on. Rock and Alternative both Mainstream and Indie. Bare in mind that I do boycott the RIAA so when I buy music I make sure none of my money goes to them, either buying used or directly from the artists.

Here is the moral dilemma I deal with. I've listened to several types of rock music. Some I just stay away from altogether. I don't agree in the least with most of rock music's messages. I don't do drugs, sex isn't a main focal point of my life, and well, I do like to rock.

Blasphemy is something I stay away from as much as possible. It bothers me. Now, I'm not the most holy of people. I don't like the fact that I have to say that statement and I do work toward being a morally just person. The problem with all of this is that I love the sound of rock music. I love the energy.

I don't even mind if I can't hear the lyrics from all the screaming and growling going on. To me screaming in itself can be a talent. Could you go out on stage and do that every night? I wouldn't want to as I would bet that it would eventually mess up your vocal chords as evidenced by the lead singer of Avenged Sevenfold.

On the opposite side of this, there's Country Music. A vial grotesque super mainstream type of music. The kind where the music writers are the real ones making money. Did you know Garth Brooks doesn't write his own music? I challenge you to find someone who does write their own music in country music. To say that someone doesn't would probably be inaccurate but it would be interesting to find out who does. I don't like most country. I enjoy Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash. Some of the older stuff is good at times, because it seems more honest and less tailored to line the big wigs pockets with platinum.

But there's one positive to country. The stories. Those who actually do the writing of these songs do a good job of it. Interesting, dramatic and often touching stories. After all, it is country. The emo for hillbillies. I can relate to some country as well. I am a man of the mountains. But far from a Redneck. I would consider that word to be a racial epithet against me.

I have found a couple of bands that kind of touch on both sides of this hunger for stories and rock music. Death Cab for Cutie and The Weakerthans. Very good bands, but I suppose I crave more. So, who do I turn to? What bands do you suggest? I like rock, alt folk, alt pop, not a huge fan of rap though. Similar bands are The Postal Service, Cloud Cult, and Bishop Allen.

Pyramid scheme.

I know this is old news but dangit, it's not very good design. The least they could do is label them instead of leaving it solely to color representation. I hope they at least modify the new pyramid. Heck.. give me a week on it. They would be amazed!





I mean, even though the old pyramid is unsightly at least it serves its purpose.