Sending out an SOS

I am an American, I am a proud American. I love my country, I love what my country entitles me to. The Bill of Rights and the Constitution afford me things I consider very basic but in reality are very complicated and rare rights. But it is our responsibility as citizens, as keepers of these rights to use them to our advantage and not to abuse them. Freedom of speech is something I treasure in my heart. It affords me the right to do what I am doing right now, writing this piece about how I feel. However, freedom of speech will only exist as long as we use it in a framework that curbs abuse of that freedom. Slander, Libel, Hate Speech, these are things that work against the very fabric of our core, wearing it down until we no longer will be able to use it for what good it brings.

I praise what we are doing abroad from the disaster relief of Haiti to the renewed efforts to bring about a peaceful end to our occupation of Afghanistan and the repeated efforts to meet terrorism head on. However, we cannot forget what has lead the front of all these efforts is to protect and shelter people from the abuses and tragedy human beings face globally. We are the standard bearer of the modern society and with that we must always be the moral leaders. If we waver, we risk ruining everything we have fought so hard to uphold, and nowhere is this more important that taking care of our own. Social safety nets are important not only to those who use them, but to the people who never do. They are a sense of security to know there is always a bottom to the holes we sometimes fall into. Fault for ones actions is a sole responsibility of the individual, however it is our responsibility to ensure that no American suffers, for if we let our own suffer how can we even attempt to help those abroad. We are on a path to which we forget the very essence of our culture, and it even flies in the face of the teaching of Jesus, in which some are quick to point out is what our country was founded on. We all have the choice to be different and thats what unites us as Americans. And what has always made Americans the best is our solidarity to do what is right over what is easy. So lets step up, stop being children and work together to ensure everyone flourishes because without collective effort we shall all drown.

Nothing but words...

Today, I share no images, just words. Reflections of ones choices, ones actions, ripple through time aided by mementos we cherish. We often strive to record what we experience as some testament to legacy. Often I find there are many things that mementos fail to replicate. In some ways maybe even damage with their presence. The beauty of memory is that it is an ever evolving, streamlining, idealized representation of the past. Images hold the cold reality of truth, never changing, always constant. This is why we must be mindful of what we choose to record. To often people produce images for professional and personal uses that channel no energy, show no point of view, create no story to become lore. Instead they simply document a moment in time. Photography was not developed our of some desire to simply copy what was there, but a way to use the ability to create something instantly to be able to communicate information, ideas, and concepts. I dare you to ask yourself why sometime. Before you push that shutter, ask yourself what you want to relate to people, and ask yourself how to do it. Demand excellence from yourself and reap the benefits of concise thought. Goodnight and good luck.

2077 Isolation of Japan

I treasure hulu.com for bringing me awesome entertainment while I lay here sick with the cold. 2077 Isolation of Japan was sitting on the top of the new release list, so I decided to check it out. Now, years ago, I was pretty heavy into anime and consider myself a bit of a anime expert. 2077 is an interesting twist on classic anime. The all too dominant japan, technologically superior is in this future the enemy. Advancement for advancement's sake is seen as evil, where as culture and humanity are seen as the saving grace of people. Its a great twist and I encourage anyone to see it whether you are an animation buff or not.

And Now: A History Lesson

My generation reveres the 1980s as a time of complete excess and fun, but after all the blow dried up in the mid 80s it would take 25 years for history to judge how stupid you all really were. I shall now demonstrate. This first picture would be the ultimate example as to why cocaine is a terrible thing. What color would you like your Lamborghini sir? As white as the purest Colombian snowcone, please. And what about the license plate? Let Loose? Fly High? Roll this 20 doller bill up and snort this colombian....ummmm no. Now for the second image. This was your reality. (O_o) Somewhere between the eight balls, you thought the swedes were just so clever, so you bought this tank. Yeah you did, and to make it worse you gave that beater to your child. You know you did. Your first car would no doubt be a classic if you hadn't wrapped it around a tree. That ugly POS was your child's first car, and it will never be a classic. There is nothing remotely epic about a 1987 volvo, aside from its ability to withstand a nuclear holocaust. Twinkies and Volvos, what a great future. But hey at least Carrie Fisher was hot when she was all coked out, right?

And Now for Something Completely Different

I could give some long winded praise for Beats Antique, but I'm feeling the more I might try to convey about it the more I might spoil its beauty. Check 'em out. Buy any or all of their albums. Just do it!

Embrace the Weird

You are the strangest creature. I promise you, you do weird things. Why we hide our strange habits save but one night is beyond me. All days should be Halloween.

All I Need is a Little Help from my Friends

Sometimes friends are all one needs to let go. Thank you all I am lucky enough to call friends.