How screwed up is my city?

Gardner claims to be out of cash and is making their City Hall workers cut back on hours and take mandatory unpaid vacations. Okay, I get it-- the economy is somehow hurting them. Wait! What was that I just saw pass me? WOW, it's a new Public Safety car... Hang on, there's another one...and another. Hmmm... did the city purchase new cars with all the money they say they don't have?

Really? Nothing gets me more fired up right now than the misuse of city, state, and federal funds. I don't believe that new police patrol cars are more important than paying your employees. The ones we had were just fine. Instead of helping those they have a responsibility to in way of a living they go and purchase new cars! Seriously, that's just plain crap. Pure and simple. I don't care if they got some stupid federal grant or whatever. The Feds should be giving money to the state and local governments so they can continue paying their employees instead of the tens of millions they allocate and give out for new equipment and vehicles. What's really more important? Basic logic and common sense says that they should keep paying employees so they can pay their own bills and put food on the table instead of helping make economic times harder. /rant

Past life experiences and quantum physics.

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*** Disclaimer***

I am in no way an expert in quantum physics. I just have some theories (I don't know if someone else has already come up with them or not) about quantum physics and past lives and the paranormal.
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I know that my way of life tells me that I cannot believe in past lives... and I do not. I don't believe that our spirits have lived other lives. I do believe that we can still experience someone else's memories. I strongly believe that there is something in our makeup that triggers the download of a memory stored in the environment.

When someone passes away their heart has stopped, but the brain can flicker with electrical pulses up to several hours. What is contained in these bursts? Obviously, it's doing something. I think that activity is our brain transferring its memories and other data to the environment. Think of all that you see around you- it's so much more than just a mass of electrons, atoms, quarks, neutrons, etc. It's a vast interconnected network.

It's entirely possible that memories of all who lived are stored in space. If, for some reason, a series of events occurred and your brain downloaded a few of them- whether you know it or not- you could mistake them as a past life. Now, you only have a quick scene or picture of the memory, but it's enough to make you question what's going on. Since the brain stores information with a feeling attached you know that it's not actually a dream, but a memory.

Quantum physics allows for these possibilities and in a lot of ways I think the study lends credibility to my theory. Now, there's much more to my thoughts, but I don't want to bore anyone. Let me know if you are interested in speaking further.

deodra@gmail.com

Marines NOT Welcome- COMPLETELY WRONG!

I must vent about this...

Marines are not welcome

This is absolutely horrendous. I cannot believe that our government is standing for this. This is a complete outrage. I believe that any city that stands for dishonouring our government, military (including our servicemen), or our laws should be federally reprimanded including and up to being cut off from federal funding. Anyone that swears into a governmental office at a local or state level and openly stands against anything that is instituted and/or endorsed by the federal government should be removed from office and given severely punished with a prison stint or (in my opinion) executed for treason. Yes, I do mean that. It is absolutely wrong that a state, city, or person in office can commit such crimes, yes, crimes.

My personal viewpoint on the Iraq war, as most of you know, is not one that would usually be associated with the above comments. I do, however, support and appreciate all our troops do. They are not only doing their job, they are protecting that which was built by those who came before them. Anyone who walks into a recruiting office knows the dangers that may lay ahead. It does not matter what war we are fighting. They are obeying the orders of their Commander-in-Chief and a war that was approved by the House and Senate- therefore, approved by the people. If you come out in public and picket the war, the troops, or the government then you should be either placed in custody and sit in a jail for a while or be hanged or shot on the spot. Being unpatriotic is, in my eyes, is the same as treason. That said, being unpatriotic (not supporting your country) should land you in jail, prison, or on the gallows.

Bella- absolutely wonderful.

This past Friday night my wife and parents wanted me to go with them to see the movie, Bella. I was less than enthusiastic about seeing this particular movie as normally I am not too keen on dramas. Well, I obliged them and went along. When the movie first started I still was not very thrilled about being there. I slowly began enjoying the movie little by little. Roughly twenty minutes in I was completely drawn in. I loved the way the plot unfolded and how you felt so close to the characters. You felt their pain, you laughed with them, you even cried with them. Yes, I cried with them.

Director, Alejandro Monteverde outdid himself this time. Bella was sharp, thought inspiring, and touching. I found myself battling my own emotions throughout the film. Often, I was sitting in my seat asking myself the same questions the characters were asking themselves. What would I do? How would I feel? Who will know? Why? Bella was just an absolutely wonderful film. It has my support as a moviegoer and a person.

I would advise everyone to make some time in your busy lives to see this film. It deals with real-life issues in a real way. If you have teenagers at home- take them to this movie. Afterwards, take them out for a coke and talk to them. Get their feelings, impressions, and thoughts. You may just be surprised what you hear.


See the Official site here.

Burma, Monks,Demonstrations, Violence, Murder... Where's the outrage and responce?!

During these last few days the problems in Burma have really come to light for the whole world to see- again. The military government there has crossed the line with the recent massacre's and crackdowns on their citizens. Murdering, violence, arrests, human abuses, etc have escalated beyond anything that should be allowed or tolerated by other nations. We cannot ignore that the Burmese government has committed unforgivable atrocities and human abuses. Yes, many in our country and abroad have "taken the time" to give public comments to the world via media outlets, but that's not action. It's high-time that someone, anyone do something about this. We as a world are just standing on the sidewalk of life while watching as many thousands of others are being run over and killed in the street. Where do we draw the line? When is enough, enough? I am thinking a frightening thought- what if they had oil we needed? I think we would, then, have an excuse to go in and depose the leaders who are ordering these killings and crackdowns. Funny thought, really, that this may really come down to, "What do they have that we need?". If the Burmese had some kind of resource that First World countries needed or relied upon I think that we would be more prone to act on this. Another great example is North Korea. People are getting killed for the most ridiculous reasons, they are imprisoned for looking at the wrong person the wrong way, the masses are starving and have nobody to speak for them, but we just sit around and do nothing. Why? Well, what does North Korea have that we need? Nothing. So, let's just ignore them. Darfur and other atrocities caused by rebels and decades of inter-cultural/inter-tribal warfare. We have yet to intervene and quell the fighting with a mass immobilisation of troops to actively pursue the murderers. Iraq. They have oil. So, we go in to remove a dictator that can't begin to come close to the other leaders of the aforementioned atrocities, but Iraq does have oil. Interesting. Some of you will disagree with me on everything. Some will at least think about what I am saying. Still others will see the truth in what my thoughts are.


Good reading: Free Burma

Halo, Halo, Halo...

Halo is obviously has a world-wide cult following- this cannot be argued. I was playing Halo 2 the other day with some friends when it dawned on me- how do people get so good? I have been playing for a quite a while, but cannot imagine how much some people play to where they can run around with a sniper rifle and "no-scope" players right and left. If you are not too familiar with Halo then let me explain. "No-scoping" is when you run around with a big 'ole sniper rifle and don't need to use the scope to aim and pick people off with one shot. It's nearly impossible to do this accurately and efficiently yet some people are great at it. Amongst my friends I would say I am about in the middle when it comes to skill at Halo. One of my friends, Lockvine, is unbelievable when it comes to grenades. Plasma grenades, in particular, are his favourites. Plasma grenades, also commonly known "sticky grenades," essentially stick to a player or vehicle and have a few second delay before they blow your world to pieces. Lockvine can consistently lob a grenade at you from across the map or right in front of your face- it doesn't matter- he will kill you with one. Another favourite tactic of his is to beat you at your own game- by this I mean- he will figure out your tactic and use it against you. This is not to say that his tactic is dirty, but it does suck to be beat at your own game.

Lockvine has one fatal flaw- he sucks with energy swords. "Sucks" here is used loosely as he could kill about anyone with these wonderful, undulating purple blades of delight, but I have a sort of knack at owning people with these beautiful hand-held objects of death.

Our battles still rage.


On a second note, I found a terrific site- XBConnect.com. The creators of the site have written a top-of-the-line program that allows you to legally trick the Xbox into thinking it is playing a local LAN game when, in fact, you are connecting via the internet to other players around the world- and it is FREE! Yes, that's right- FREE! They have a Premium package (XBCONNECT PRO) that can be purchased for $14.95(US) that gives you a few extra features that the standard free package does not. I have heard of a couple of other "free" internet gaming tunneling titles for Xbox, but most of my friends said they pretty much blow. I find that XBConnect is fast, easy to use, and provides you with a multitude of gaming choices and options. I also believe that they can pride themselves with a great community. One of the reasons I did not end up purchasing Xbox Live was that most of the people I encountered in the Halo rooms were rude, arrogant, cheating, glitch-using pieces of garbage. I did encounter a few nice folks, but for the most part the previous statement holds true. XBConnect users have all been quite kind, albeit VERY skilled at Halo, and willing to put up with someone who does not have the time to play hundreds of hours a month and can't get to fifty kills in ten minutes. I would suggest this software to anyone looking to either get around M$'s stupid fees, the jerks in most of the community rooms, or if you are just wanting to join a better community (in my opinion). Also, I would say that the $14.95 is a small fee to pay for an awesome online gaming experience- also- XBConnect supports an array of titles (please see below). I, for one, am considering upgrading to the Premium package.


XBConnect Supported Titles

Iran, any other country+Nuclear Capability= Fair in my book.

I am quite sure I am going to take a lot of heat for my beliefs, but I don't really care. This is going to be quick today... Basically, I do not see a problem with other countries have nuclear capabilities. Before you start in on me- yes, I do see your side of the story- if a country demonstrates that they may use their nuclear weapons for ill-intent then we don't want them to have them. Blah, blah, blah. Personally, my belief is we have to see the world as one even playing field. If one country (i.e.: the U.S.) can have nuclear weapons then everyone else should be able to as well. I think that the U.S. and the joke that is the United Nations saying who can and cannot have weapons is completely ridiculous. I have heard it all before in regards to, "Well, we would not use them irresponsibly like they would..." I don't even want to hear it. Have you not seen the news or turned on the radio? Look at the Iraq invasion. That was irresponsible and pointless. What if someone decides they want to extend their empire and we don't want them to? Well, let's just whip out 'ole Big Bertha and shoot her at them. How the heck are they to defend themselves? We are extending our empire and sphere of influence. Seriously. If Iran wants to make bombs- let them. If you want to strike at them for doing so- well, that's your right. Either do something about it or sit down and shut up. There should not be some big Club of the Rich Guys (United Nations) telling the little guy what to do. It has always been about empires. Kingdoms rise and kingdoms fall. Every empire wants more land and superiority. That's the way it works.

Please don't get me wrong- this is not just about Iran- quite frankly I don't care too much for Iran or the way they do things. I actually hope someone does attack them. I am just sick and tired of reading all about empty threats and countries whining about, "this guy did this, and they did that". Really, come on folks. If someone is doing something to you, your borders, or developing something with the intention of using it in an unfair or unbalanced attack- don't whine. Blow them sky high with what you have before they have what you don't or don't want them to. Stop crying to the lazies and crazies that are the United Nations. Just take matters into your own hands and find the guys that agree with you. Pick yourself a nice strong team and start playing Battleship with them.


Since we have already invaded Iraq and are still dealing with suicide bombers and other cowardly combatants we should just stop wasting time and level the place. Evacuate and search anyone who does not want to be a crispy fritter and just bomb the crap out of every city that has played a part in attacks, start the rebuilding process and then proceed to flatten any other city that attacks take place in. People can pro-create their population will eventually recover. Once this is done just hand the keys over to the Bush-installed government and let them sort things out. Simple, saves American lives, and if things continue we just blow up the entire country. Problem solved and nipped in the bud.

News article about Iran's developments