The more I think about the whole Eminent Domain ruling by the Supreme Court the more it irks me.
For example, here is a story that shows how within just a short time of the ruling it is already being abused. Sickens me, but no surprise that it's taking place near the butt of the US, Houston.
The fun part comes in today when my new hero Logan Darrow Clements proposed to build a hotel on Justice Souter's property. He is currently seeking investors to help pave the way for building the "Lost Liberty Hotel" and adjoining museum. As soon as I find that info I'll post it so that you can donate. I would love to see this guy's house razed...the irony in the whole thing would be absolutely brilliant!
Feeling vindictive...at least all of my property has tires.
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
Thursday, June 23, 2005
What Were They Thinking!?!
Frankly I'm appalled. I can't believe that our courts would actually say that individuals should be allowed to have their property seized because another wealthier individual wants that property. This is probably the worst thing I've seen our judicial branch approve in a long time. It spells all sorts of bad news for anybody that once lived happily in a neighborhood, took care of their land, paid their taxes, and then had somebody decide that they wanted the land more.
Just look at buildings like the Citicorp Building in New York. It's beautiful because they had to work around individuals like that. Or check out this little place in Athens. I can't believe our courts made this decision.
Honestly what surprised me is that all of the conservatives were the ones opposed to it. It just seems that lately conservatives have been too much in the hands of big businesses (liberals are puppets too). It's the first really good thing I've seen a conservative do in a while.
This decision takes a step in a VERY bad direction, one in which the rights of individuals are trampled upon for no reason.
News stories to stay tuned to: The house is passed a legislation to ban the burning the US flag (story). If something like that passes then it's the devil's foot in the door for banning all sorts of other freedoms of speech. I really worry that Americans are so dumb that they want to be explicitly told what all they can and can't do...dangerous!
Just look at buildings like the Citicorp Building in New York. It's beautiful because they had to work around individuals like that. Or check out this little place in Athens. I can't believe our courts made this decision.
Honestly what surprised me is that all of the conservatives were the ones opposed to it. It just seems that lately conservatives have been too much in the hands of big businesses (liberals are puppets too). It's the first really good thing I've seen a conservative do in a while.
This decision takes a step in a VERY bad direction, one in which the rights of individuals are trampled upon for no reason.
News stories to stay tuned to: The house is passed a legislation to ban the burning the US flag (story). If something like that passes then it's the devil's foot in the door for banning all sorts of other freedoms of speech. I really worry that Americans are so dumb that they want to be explicitly told what all they can and can't do...dangerous!
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
Slightly 'Dirty' But Funny
So when perusing various news sites I came across a rather interesting study. Granted this article has been rife with all sorts of immature headlines, so I'll come up with my own.
Women only Orgasm When They aren't Scared or Emotional...in Other Words, Rarely for Most, Never for Some.
That would be a really chauvinistic thing to say, and since I'm not really a chauvinist I'll just pretend that I would really say that.
Now all dirtiness aside, I think that a study such as this actually is really interesting. It shows that there are real differences between men and women for sex to be a great experience. The biggest thing is that a woman needs to have security so that they don't cling to their conscious thoughts. Security equals safety, eliminates fear and allows enjoyment.
Conversely there are some interesting things to learn about guys. The anticipation is half the fun for a guy. The touch centers of the brain get prepared before the encounter. Also that for the guy that sex is not quite as intimate it doesn't require the same 'safe' scenario.
Granted everybody is different and being a member of 'Club V' I'm not exactly the expert on Sex. But I do find studies like this interesting in that they can help people better understand who the opposite sex is at their very core.
Plus, it really encourages marriage for great sex...now my mom and dad hopefully won't be appalled that I posted this.
But since sex is honestly pretty funny here are some interesting facts:
Men couldn't be studied because the test took 2 minutes "Women can imitate orgasm quite well." -some scientist Men see sex as a reward If women just turned off their brains they'd be in a perpetual orgasm Being a man, my brain is normally off...that's why it's better to be a guy
Women only Orgasm When They aren't Scared or Emotional...in Other Words, Rarely for Most, Never for Some.
That would be a really chauvinistic thing to say, and since I'm not really a chauvinist I'll just pretend that I would really say that.
Now all dirtiness aside, I think that a study such as this actually is really interesting. It shows that there are real differences between men and women for sex to be a great experience. The biggest thing is that a woman needs to have security so that they don't cling to their conscious thoughts. Security equals safety, eliminates fear and allows enjoyment.
Conversely there are some interesting things to learn about guys. The anticipation is half the fun for a guy. The touch centers of the brain get prepared before the encounter. Also that for the guy that sex is not quite as intimate it doesn't require the same 'safe' scenario.
Granted everybody is different and being a member of 'Club V' I'm not exactly the expert on Sex. But I do find studies like this interesting in that they can help people better understand who the opposite sex is at their very core.
Plus, it really encourages marriage for great sex...now my mom and dad hopefully won't be appalled that I posted this.
But since sex is honestly pretty funny here are some interesting facts:
Saturday, June 18, 2005
Ow! The Ladybug Bit Me!
I wrote this beautiful eloquent post and for some reason when I tried to spell check it the computer deleted everything. I'll try to re-hit the highlights, but definitely not enough time for the real shebang.
Right now I'm with my sister in California. It's been fun trailing her at work (interior design is just a wee bit different than engineering), getting to know her fiance, going to movies, and eating out.
Today we went to the Devil's Punchbowl and hiked to the Devil's Chair. It was a ton of fun just talking with each other the whole way. (Here's where you lose beauty and just get rambling content.) I love the mountains; they show you just how powerful you are...which is not at all. We are all so small and only in the mountains does one truly realize just how much of a puny speck we are on this earth. And that's where things get amazing, because God still cares for us even though we are so miniscule.
I get my moments of Zen by doing a few things. Driving really fast on my motorcycle and hiking in the mountains are my two favorites. I had one of those moments today overlooking the landscape. Realizing how the mountains had been heaved and tossed about as if they were nothing. Soaring above all the other people and just looking. Quietly listening to the howling of the wind, the caw of birds and the scuttle of lizards. Everything was okay, and I could feel God smiling down at me.
On the way back I saw something out of the corner of my eye. It was a rock covered in Ladybugs. I went closer and noticed that it wasn't just one rock, but two and then a log, then some brush. Everything was covered in these little bugs; I saw more of them in that one spot than I think I have over the sum total of my life. Then one of them landed on me and I thought, "My, aren't all these things cute. I wonder if there are some aphids nearby. Aw, this one reminds me of my first car." Then the darned thing bit me! I couldn't believe it. Being the man I am, I didn't say a word. Instead I promptly flicked it into the nearby stream where it met its doom.
On the way back there was a really bad accident. We asked one of the California Highway Patrolmen what happened and he looked really sad and said, "There was a chase involving an RV and they hit some people." You could see it in his eyes how much it really disturbed him. He was so angry and sad at the same time. It was a rare reminder that these guys that I slam my breaks for everyday are real people and that some of them really do want to make the world a better and safer place.
Well, tomorrow we're going to Universal Studios and then I'm off to Burbank to teach my class. I've never been to Universal, so I'm really excited about that. Pretty scared about the teaching part too. I can't believe somebody thinks I actually know enough that they're willing to let me represent the company. I think I'm going to like this travel and work thing though. It's really nice to get out of Austin; although, it's really hard leaving some people behind too. Oh well, one more week and I'm back. In the meantime at least I'll be in a city that's not in the middle of the desert where there's no cell service so I'll be able to actually call people.
Right now I'm with my sister in California. It's been fun trailing her at work (interior design is just a wee bit different than engineering), getting to know her fiance, going to movies, and eating out.
Today we went to the Devil's Punchbowl and hiked to the Devil's Chair. It was a ton of fun just talking with each other the whole way. (Here's where you lose beauty and just get rambling content.) I love the mountains; they show you just how powerful you are...which is not at all. We are all so small and only in the mountains does one truly realize just how much of a puny speck we are on this earth. And that's where things get amazing, because God still cares for us even though we are so miniscule.
I get my moments of Zen by doing a few things. Driving really fast on my motorcycle and hiking in the mountains are my two favorites. I had one of those moments today overlooking the landscape. Realizing how the mountains had been heaved and tossed about as if they were nothing. Soaring above all the other people and just looking. Quietly listening to the howling of the wind, the caw of birds and the scuttle of lizards. Everything was okay, and I could feel God smiling down at me.
On the way back I saw something out of the corner of my eye. It was a rock covered in Ladybugs. I went closer and noticed that it wasn't just one rock, but two and then a log, then some brush. Everything was covered in these little bugs; I saw more of them in that one spot than I think I have over the sum total of my life. Then one of them landed on me and I thought, "My, aren't all these things cute. I wonder if there are some aphids nearby. Aw, this one reminds me of my first car." Then the darned thing bit me! I couldn't believe it. Being the man I am, I didn't say a word. Instead I promptly flicked it into the nearby stream where it met its doom.
On the way back there was a really bad accident. We asked one of the California Highway Patrolmen what happened and he looked really sad and said, "There was a chase involving an RV and they hit some people." You could see it in his eyes how much it really disturbed him. He was so angry and sad at the same time. It was a rare reminder that these guys that I slam my breaks for everyday are real people and that some of them really do want to make the world a better and safer place.
Well, tomorrow we're going to Universal Studios and then I'm off to Burbank to teach my class. I've never been to Universal, so I'm really excited about that. Pretty scared about the teaching part too. I can't believe somebody thinks I actually know enough that they're willing to let me represent the company. I think I'm going to like this travel and work thing though. It's really nice to get out of Austin; although, it's really hard leaving some people behind too. Oh well, one more week and I'm back. In the meantime at least I'll be in a city that's not in the middle of the desert where there's no cell service so I'll be able to actually call people.
Sunday, June 12, 2005
News of Late
Just a quick run thru of recent and coming events.
Life has gotten really crazy busy lately, but in a good way. The last couple of weekends I've had my sister Suzannah come down to stay with me so that my mom can focus a bit more on her nursing school. That was really fun. It's so much fun when your siblings act more like adults. Although it made me realize how little time I'm going to have when I need to commit to a family (at some distant point in the future).
Work has been good. This week I'm flying out to California where I'll be teaching a course on LabVIEW (a really useful software product we make). I'm really nervous about teaching though because it means that I am responsible for helping other people become better at something. It also means that my company somehow has enough trust in me that they want me to represent them. It should be a lot of fun, but definitely one of those challenges that will be difficult at the same time. The bright side is I get to be is SoCal, stay in a hotel, go on a free vacation, and get a per diem for food!
Fortunately I get a few days off beforehand, so I'm going to spend that time with my sister Regina. I always love hanging out with her, because she is one of those people that can just truly enjoy themselves. I wish more people would let themselves be free like that.
Right after I get back (at 3:35 am) I am going to my best friend's wedding. Really looking forward to it. I can't wait to be there to see her enter this new phase of her life.
Tonight I got to lead my first Bible study ever! It went really well. It was supposed to be a coed group, but none of the other guys showed up. I was amazed at how open everybody was. I'm really hoping that everything goes well, and I think we could really have an amazing group by the time things are thru. Thank you to all of those who were praying for me, definitely calmed my nerves.
There are of course other things going on in my life, but those will have to wait for a later post. Just know that the last few weeks have been some of the most exciting and scary weeks of my life. I can't wait to see what all else happens!
Aside:
I was talking with my sister Sarah tonight on the phone and somehow celebrity look alikes came up. Evidently she thinks I look like a mix between Adam Sandler and Adam Levine (lead singer for Maroon 5).
You decide.
Song of the Night
Coldplay just put out a new album this week. As with all of my favorite bands it takes some getting used to their new stuff, but I'm liking it more and more. There is one song in particular that I just can't get out of my head. It's called Kingdom Come...and I really like it. Enjoy!
Kingdom Come by Coldplay
Life has gotten really crazy busy lately, but in a good way. The last couple of weekends I've had my sister Suzannah come down to stay with me so that my mom can focus a bit more on her nursing school. That was really fun. It's so much fun when your siblings act more like adults. Although it made me realize how little time I'm going to have when I need to commit to a family (at some distant point in the future).
Work has been good. This week I'm flying out to California where I'll be teaching a course on LabVIEW (a really useful software product we make). I'm really nervous about teaching though because it means that I am responsible for helping other people become better at something. It also means that my company somehow has enough trust in me that they want me to represent them. It should be a lot of fun, but definitely one of those challenges that will be difficult at the same time. The bright side is I get to be is SoCal, stay in a hotel, go on a free vacation, and get a per diem for food!
Fortunately I get a few days off beforehand, so I'm going to spend that time with my sister Regina. I always love hanging out with her, because she is one of those people that can just truly enjoy themselves. I wish more people would let themselves be free like that.
Right after I get back (at 3:35 am) I am going to my best friend's wedding. Really looking forward to it. I can't wait to be there to see her enter this new phase of her life.
Tonight I got to lead my first Bible study ever! It went really well. It was supposed to be a coed group, but none of the other guys showed up. I was amazed at how open everybody was. I'm really hoping that everything goes well, and I think we could really have an amazing group by the time things are thru. Thank you to all of those who were praying for me, definitely calmed my nerves.
There are of course other things going on in my life, but those will have to wait for a later post. Just know that the last few weeks have been some of the most exciting and scary weeks of my life. I can't wait to see what all else happens!
Aside:
I was talking with my sister Sarah tonight on the phone and somehow celebrity look alikes came up. Evidently she thinks I look like a mix between Adam Sandler and Adam Levine (lead singer for Maroon 5).
You decide.
Song of the Night
Coldplay just put out a new album this week. As with all of my favorite bands it takes some getting used to their new stuff, but I'm liking it more and more. There is one song in particular that I just can't get out of my head. It's called Kingdom Come...and I really like it. Enjoy!
Kingdom Come by Coldplay
That's My Dad!
This weekend I got the privilege of seeing my dad in the first play that he's done in 16 years. He's always loved the theatre, but until recently hasn't found a decent outlet for that passion. It was so great to see him do something that he loved. If you know me at all you know I like joking around and being silly. I've got nothing on my old man. He was in a bit of a comedic role and got more laughs per line than I think anybody else in the entire show. Mostly it was just wonderful to see a man that I love so much doing something that he loves.
So dad, this goes out to you. I love you a lot and am really proud of all the work that you put into that show. You did a great job and I can't wait to go see plays that you're in in the future.
Friday, June 10, 2005
Wednesday, June 08, 2005
Is This Love?
I think I finally found it! The perfect match for the stupid runaway bride (aka Jennifer Wilbanks).
He likes to travel. Has been the victim of 'unfair' attention. And they both make heads roll!
Here's his picture.
But if you want to know more about this perfect man, read more here.
Plus if they got married this could be their baby!
He likes to travel. Has been the victim of 'unfair' attention. And they both make heads roll!
Here's his picture.
But if you want to know more about this perfect man, read more here.
Plus if they got married this could be their baby!
Monday, June 06, 2005
I Am So Smrt
Okay, not really. But this past week I did do something that's haunted me in the back of my mind for years. Back in highschool I saw this logic puzzle. The first time I saw it I was working in a coffee shop and didn't have enough time between mochas and lattes to figure it out, plus I used to be dummer.
Einstein's Logic Problem
Facts:
1: There are 5 houses in 5 different colours.
2: In each house lives a person with a different nationality.
3: These 5 owners drink a certain beverage, smoke a certain brand of cigar and keep a certain pet.
4: No owners have the same pet, smoke the same brand of cigar or drink the same drink.
From the following information, can you determine WHO KEEPS FISH?
1: The Brit lives in a red house.
2: The Swede keeps dogs as pets.
3: The Dane drinks tea.
4: The green house is on the left of the white house.
5: The green house owner drinks coffee.
6: The person who smokes Pall Mall rears birds.
7: The owner of the yellow house smokes Dunhill.
8: The man living in the house right in the centre drinks milk.
9: The Norwegian lives in the first house.
10: The man who smokes Blend lives next to the one who keeps cats.
11: The man who keeps horses lives next to the man who smokes Dunhill.
12: The owner who smokes Blue Master drinks beer.
13: The German smokes Prince.
14: The Norwegian lives next to the blue house.
15: The man who smokes Blend has a neighbour who drinks water.
But this time I did it! Turns out it was just a puzzle where you could find a couple pieces that obviously fit together (bold) and then used some of the remaining clues [x] to make puzzle pieces. Then it just was a matter of fitting the pieces in the remaining holes. They only fit a certain way, and then viola! You are now in the top 2% of the world!
Link of the Day:
My neighbor at work wanted me to link to this site that he designed...watch the intro, that's all him:
Austin Web Design and Online Marketing
Einstein's Logic Problem
Facts:
1: There are 5 houses in 5 different colours.
2: In each house lives a person with a different nationality.
3: These 5 owners drink a certain beverage, smoke a certain brand of cigar and keep a certain pet.
4: No owners have the same pet, smoke the same brand of cigar or drink the same drink.
From the following information, can you determine WHO KEEPS FISH?
1: The Brit lives in a red house.
2: The Swede keeps dogs as pets.
3: The Dane drinks tea.
4: The green house is on the left of the white house.
5: The green house owner drinks coffee.
6: The person who smokes Pall Mall rears birds.
7: The owner of the yellow house smokes Dunhill.
8: The man living in the house right in the centre drinks milk.
9: The Norwegian lives in the first house.
10: The man who smokes Blend lives next to the one who keeps cats.
11: The man who keeps horses lives next to the man who smokes Dunhill.
12: The owner who smokes Blue Master drinks beer.
13: The German smokes Prince.
14: The Norwegian lives next to the blue house.
15: The man who smokes Blend has a neighbour who drinks water.
But this time I did it! Turns out it was just a puzzle where you could find a couple pieces that obviously fit together (bold) and then used some of the remaining clues [x] to make puzzle pieces. Then it just was a matter of fitting the pieces in the remaining holes. They only fit a certain way, and then viola! You are now in the top 2% of the world!
| House: | Yellow | Blue | Red | Green | White |
| Race: | Nowegian | Dane[3] | Brit | German[13] | Swede[2] |
| Cigar: | Dunhill | Blend[10][15] | Pall Mall[6] | Prince[13] | Blue Master[12] |
| Drink: | Water[15] | Tea[3] | Milk | Coffee | Beer[12] |
| Animal: | Cats[10] | Horses | Birds[6] | FISH!!! | Dogs[2] |
Link of the Day:
My neighbor at work wanted me to link to this site that he designed...watch the intro, that's all him:
Austin Web Design and Online Marketing
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