Follow the Lady

Almost every year is an election year for one office or another, but every two years are the biggest. There's always a House Seat up for grabs, a Senate seat every few years, and of course, the Presidential elections are a huge ordeal. But here's my question: Can a person with copious education, generally more than his or her constituents, and great affluence reflect the desires of the masses. Every election I see the same faces, especially at the Federal level. Generally speaking, these are rich white men. While it is true that I am a white male, my views put me at odds with most of those in my race and gender demographic. "I am a man of means by no means" is absolutely the case. So while I vote with the hope that every candidate I vote for has my and my district's best interest in mind, how do they know what I struggle with on a day to day basis? Our candidates in this upcoming Senate election make tons of money. Jim Webb made somewhere around 14 mil last year. Senator Allen is worth about 2.5 million in assets and holdings.

Lets face facts. The only people that can afford to take enough time off of work to campaign and actually run for election are the elites. Those in power will always stay at the top. This is the way the system works, and the rest of us schmoes are left down here trying to scratch a living from the crumbs they decide to hand down to us. We fight amongst ourselves with topics like gay marriage and flag burning, when if you decide to let these ideas go they really have ABSOLUETLY NO BEARING ON OUR LIVES. This is a game of Three Card Monte, follow the lady. Pay no attention to the slight of hand here. We all play even though we know we're going to lose.

The U.S. has to maintain a war time state in order for the rich to really mop up. Who's read 1984? An enemy must be maintained in order to reduce freedoms and increase profits. And the Bush administration has done a wonderful turn for the elite by finding an enemy that will never be defeated. This war on terror is self perpetuating. With every enemy killed another is trained to take his place. Beautiful plan.

"They no longer represent us, so is it not our obligation to confront this tyranny?" Or should we just keep our eye on the lady?

Virginia, a land of things

Most of you know of our great seal of Virginia, with the Sic Semper Tyrannis and of Virtus standing over the dead tyrant. But what of the reverse side of that seal? It has three goddesses, Libertas, Ceres, and Aeternitas. Each are holding symbols of fortune, power, liberty and authority. But that's not the only thing.

State shell: Oyster
State fish: Brook Trout
State dance: Square Dance
State bat: Virginia big eared bat
State boat: Chesapeake Bay Deadrise
State dog: American Fox Hound
State drink: Milk

We even have a state fossil: the Chesapecten Jeffersonius

But the best is the salute to the state flag, in keeping with our states' rights heritage (thanks TJ)
that was adopted in 1954:

"I salute the flag of Virginia, with reverence and patriotic devotion
to the 'Mother of States and Statesmen',
-which it represents- the 'Old Dominion',
where liberty and independence were born."

You can find out more about Virginia here. And learn more about the state seals here.

Holy Cow!!!

Drawn to beef? Here's why. Cows are given magnets that stay in them to keep them from passing bits of metal that may harm their sensitive rumen and reticulum. Who knew?

Dad's Day Bike Ride

So, for Father's Day I think I'm going to ride my bike to my dad's house. It's only a little over 15 miles. If you'd like to map out your own trip go to MapMyRun.com. I know this is really for running routes, so the calorie calculator won't be accurate, but at least it gives you a fairly accurate distance calculator. Plus it'll give you an elevation profile. It's pretty sweet.

Keep It Short and Sweet

I've learned one thing about blogging. Keep it short. If your latest post requires me to scroll more than once or twice, I'm probably going to get bored and not read any further. I suppose you could blame it on my short attention span, but I think it has more to do with subject matter. We all write about things that are relevant to our own lives which isn't necessarily relevant to others, but we like to think that others want to hear what we have to say. I do. I want to know what you are all thinking and why. But do yourself, and me, a favor, condense. Chop it down. If you don't get to your point soon, chances are neither will I.

Arrrgh! Why Can't I Sleep?

I hate insomnia. I know I'm not the only one. I have to get up soon. This sucks. *sigh*

Like Zombies???

If you are like me, and you love the idea of a post apocalyptic world in which zombies roam freely and humans are hunters and the hunted you'll love playing this game. It's pretty sweet, if not a little oddly set up. Urban Dead takes a little getting used too, and I recommend reading up on some of the Wiki stuff before you really get into playing. Learn how to gain XP, and check out the Map and some of its functions after you start your character to get an idea of where to go and what to look out for. Really fun, but the AP (action points) while tying to keep the game fair, slow down the action. So, about ten good minutes a day and you have to wait forever to get to play again. But oh well, it's still an awesome concept.

10-10-10

Things I Love:

1. Pajama Pants
2. Sriracha
3. Sharp Objects
4. Passing cars while riding my bike
5. Cheesecake
6. Sarcasm
7. Indoor Plumbing
8. Putting Lady Liberty stamps upside down on envelopes
9. Chuck Taylor Converse All-Stars
10. Optical Illusions

Things I'm Fascinated By:

1. How maple syrup is made
2. The American Revolution
3. White people
4. Non-white people
5. Religious People
6. White trash
7. The success of Jerry Springer
8. The fact that G.W. thinks he was ordained by God
9. The fact that other people do too
10. Owl digestive Process
11. White Jeans (sorry, had to put this in here)

Ten People who Probably won't do this:

1. Wes
2. Patch
3. Trav
4. Rima
5. Amie
6. Emi
7. Natalie
8. Jasmine
9. Debbie
10. Tacha
    

Unholiest of Days

I thought it was funny.

Your Eyes May Deceive You

I was at work this evening when a couple came in. The woman was rather petite, meaning bean-pole-esque and the gentleman was rather heavyset. I watched them sit down, waiting for my cue to make the trip to the table to greet them. The man, after much huffing and puffing, manages to squeeeeeze himself into the booth. To whit he says to the woman, "is there more space over there, I think there is".

"I don't know that there is," she replies. But they switch places anyway. Fair enough. I watch as said gentleman squeezes himself into the other side of the booth, as there is no more room on this side than there was on the other.

"You see, spatially it seemed that your companion had more room, but the truth is, she's just skinnier. Sorry, you're fat," I thought, then sauntered my way over to sell this man a meal that I knew he would eat all of, but not really need. They tipped me well, and I felt bad, not for the obviously cruel thought that went through my mind, but for the man himself.

I struggle with my own weight, I like to eat, and consequently have a little extra around the middle. I know he doesn't like being fat, but he's powerless to stop himself. It's a horrible cycle that I myself have to mentally prepare myself for everyday of my life, and sometimes that demand is staggering. An alcoholic can be successful if he never drinks again, but imagine how he'd do if he had to drink everyday. This is what food-aholics have to do. Fat is very addictive as a substance, and our bodies naturally crave it, right from birth. So I'm trying. I'm riding my bike to work starting this coming Wednesday, and if all goes well, I'll continue to do so. I went on a 36 mile ride last week, and I hope to go again this week. I know what choices to make, it's just actually doing it that's hard. I know that I like to make fun of fat people, 'cause it's funny, but I make fun of everyone. This is one thing you can help, it is possible to not be fat anymore, and liposuction and gastric bypass are not the ways to better, healthier living. You have to change you.

I don't know if it'll help anyone, but there's other folks out there that know how you feel. It doesn't help everyone, but maybe it can help someone.