You cannot

You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong. You cannot help the wage earner by pulling down the page payer. You cannot further the brotherhood of man by encouragin class hatred. You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich. You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than you earn. You cannot build character and courage by taking away man's initiative and independence. You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves.
-- Abraham Lincoln

Drum Major Instinct

Being that today is national holiday celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I felt it appropriate to share a little excerpt of one of my favorite speaches of this influential man. It is not only an excerpt but moreso a philosphy that I feel we all should take as our own. So without further ado here is an excerpt from "The Drum Major Instinct"

Every now and then I guess we all think realistically about that day when we will be victimized with what is life's final common denominator—that something that we call death. We all think about it. And every now and then I think about my own death and I think about my own funeral. And I don't think of it in a morbid sense. And every now and then I ask myself, "What is it that I would want said?" And I leave the word to you this morning.

If any of you are around when I have to meet my day, I don’t want a long funeral. And if you get somebody to deliver the eulogy, tell them not to talk too long. And every now and then I wonder what I want them to say. Tell them not to mention that I have a Nobel Peace Prize—that isn’t important. Tell them not to mention that I have three or four hundred other awards—that’s not important. Tell them not to mention where I went to school.

I'd like somebody to mention that day that Martin Luther King, Jr., tried to give his life serving others.

I'd like for somebody to say that day that Martin Luther King, Jr., tried to love somebody.

I want you to say that day that I tried to be right on the war question.

I want you to be able to say that day that I did try to feed the hungry.

And I want you to be able to say that day that I did try in my life to clothe those who were naked.

I want you to say on that day that I did try in my life to visit those who were in prison.

I want you to say that I tried to love and serve humanity.

Yes, if you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice. Say that I was a drum major for peace. I was a drum major for righteousness. And all of the other shallow things will not matter. I won't have any money to leave behind. I won't have the fine and luxurious things of life to leave behind. But I just want to leave a committed life behind. And that's all I want to say.

Virus Alert

Beware! There is a dangerous virus being passed electronically, orally and by hand.

This virus is called Worm-Overload-Recreational-Killer (WORK). If you receive WORK from any of your colleagues, your boss or anyone else via any means DO NOT TOUCH IT. This virus will wipe out your private life completely.

If you should come into contact with WORK put your jacket on and take two good friends to the nearest pub. Purchase the antidote known as Work-Isolator-Neutralizer-Extractor (WINE). The quickest acting WINE type is called Swift-Hitting-Infiltrator-Remover-All-Zones (SHIRAZ) but this is only available for those who can afford it. The next best equivalent is Cheapest-Available-System-Killer (CASK). Take the antidote repeatedly until WORK has been completely eliminated from your system.

Forward this warning to 5 friends. If you do not have 5 friends, you have already been infected and WORK is controlling your life. This virus is DEADLY(Destroys-Every-Available-Decent-Living-Youngster).

Update 05-05-05: After extensive testing it has been concluded that Best-Equivalent-Extractor-Remedy (BEER) may be substituted for WINE but may require a more generous application

The Law Is The Law

So if the US government determines it is against the law for the words
"under God" to be on our money then SO BE IT.

And if the same government decides the "Ten Commandments" are not to be used in or on a government installation then SO BE IT.

And since they already have prohibited any prayer in the schools on
which they deem their authority then SO BE IT

I say, "SO BE IT," because (as God would have it) I would like to be a law
abiding US citizen.

I say, "SO BE IT," because I would like to think smarter people than I
are in positions to make good decisions.

I say, "SO BE IT," because I would like to think those people have the
American Publics' best interests at heart.

BUT YOU KNOW WHAT ELSE I'D LIKE?

Since we can't pray to God, can't Trust in God and can't post His
commandments in Government buildings, I don't think the Government and
its employees should participate in the Easter and Christmas celebrations,
which honor the God that our government is eliminating from many facets of
American life.

I'd like my mail delivered on Christmas, Good Friday and Easter. After all,
IT'S JUST ANOTHER DAY.

I'd like the US Supreme Court to be in session on Christmas, Good
Friday and Easter as well as Sundays. After all, IT'S JUST ANOTHER DAY.

I'd like the Senate and the House of Representatives not having to
worry about getting home for the "Christmas Break" After all, IT'S JUST
ANOTHER DAY.

I'm thinking that a lot of my taxpayer dollars could be saved, if all
government offices and services would work on Christmas, Good Friday and Easter. After all, IT'S JUST ANOTHER DAY.

It shouldn't cost any overtime since those would be just like any other day
of the week to a government that is trying to be "politically correct".

In fact, I think our government should work on Sundays (initially set aside
for worshiping God. . . .) because after all, OUR GOVERNMENT SAYS IT SHOULD BE JUST ANOTHER DAY.

What do you all think???? If this idea gets to enough people, maybe our
elected officials will stop giving in to minority opinions and begin, once
again, to represent the majority of ALL the American people.

SO BE IT!

Great Book

I just finished My Friend Leonard last night! Just as good if not better than the first one! I highly recommend both books (this is the sequel to A Million Little Pieces) to everyone! Especially those who are in recovery!

This book made me smile, made me laugh, made me cry. WHAT A BOOK!!!

Same Soup Different Bowl

Well the trip to Pinehurst, NC was GREAT! However now I'm back at home in San Diego and it's just the same ole' shit. Busy busy busy. Up to my eyeballs in work and got a 12 page research paper that I need to write for English Class tommorrow night! UGH. But all in all life is great. I can't complain.

Thanksgiving in Pinehurst

Well I'm still here in Pinehurst North Carolina. I hate to say that I've got to leave Wednesday morning to return to the normal everyday hustle and bustle that comes with working and living in San Diego.

One of the things that I love most about this beautiful town is the speed at which everything changes and moves. It is so peaceful and relaxing to just sit outside on the porch and hear the rain fall and the squirels play.

It has been an awesome trip. The primary reason we(Parents and I) came out here was (a) I got one hell of a deal on airfare, $89 bucks each way. (b) To surprise my 89 year Grandmother for Thanksgiving. Needless to say she was very surprised.

Had the good fortune of being able to play golf while I was here as well as see a Carolina Hurricanes game. Both were great. Hopefully in the not to distant future I'll be able to play Pinehurst #2.

This is a most beautiful town and I highly recomend anyone and everyone to visit. Even if you're not a golfer.