Interworkings of a Roaming Ginger

For those interested

2010-07-01T19:40:00.000-07:00

Again with the China bit, it consumes me all apologies. I've come back with an idea and a calling out of assistance. Along my travel through all the in's and out's of the land of the far east i will be on the move constantly, that's the static goal anyway. while out, as i've said, i want to engage in conversation with many new people, get to know the local a bit. this is going to be possible, but at times on night trains or alone, my ipod will become my sole companion. because of this, i am cleaning it out, and filling it with a soundtrack for this time abroad. this is where suggestions are needed. music across a wide plain will be needed for an outing like mine, samples from all genres.

Notes on Fowl Reading

2010-07-01T15:45:00.000-07:00

Come August, I will be setting sail once again onto my longest adventure. I will be China bound for the semester, a chance of a lifetime. Recent unforeseen events seemed to be set to spoil such an opportunity, but the clouds have begun to clear, and it seems China is a Go. In preparation, i've taken to reading Riding the Iron Rooster by acclaimed travel writer Paul Theroux. Basically it's his story of traveling across China using nothing but train to get around. Although I'm only mid-way through, my enthusiasm for my own travel has been resparked. I expect to be able to experience many similar events he has described. With a people that have come through so much, and now look to become contenders for world titles, the Chinese have something to say. I hope to hear that and dig into their inner-opinions. This book was written 20+ years ago, so these conversations I've been hearing from Paul may not be identical to the chats i dive into during my own excursion. What is true though is these people will introduce me to thoughts i've never pondered. In my fraction of experience as a world traveler, i've traveled with no set companions. Arrival to my destinations, i've always managed to rope someone into a friendship though. China will be the same, i have no personal connection with anyone traveling to study other than the mutual choice of UNK. This is how the fowl trip unfolded and continues to be thus far. And now in direct relation, there seems to be raising a impulse about me, one not of the nervous uncertainty, but of the unending drive and anticipation to begin.

Procrastination

2010-04-28T09:07:00.000-07:00

Contrary to New Theories-Final # Three Yo!

2010-04-18T21:27:00.001-07:00

Parents, scientists, and social theorists have it wrong. Well, at least not right anyway.

Today we are hearing more and more about the negative effects of social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook have on the young sponges of society. Twitter is melting their minds down to mush, rendering them useless for higher learning or positive choices later in life. What are these new technologies? Programs developed for communication or the newest high off the street slowly pulling us all in as addicts?

Neuroscientist and psychologists have always preached to parents that some new technology is corrupting their youngsters. Provocative television, violence in movies, subliminal lyrics etc. the list goes on and on. Its true, many of these outlets youth turn to can have negative effects on them, but rarely to the degree they warn.

Case in point, in 1985 James Vance and his buddy Ray Belknap shot themselves in the face with a 12 gage shotgun. The cause? Their mothers blamed the heavy metal music they listened to. They attempted to sue Judas Priest for the damages caused. The result? They lost. What was neglected to be mentioned was their homes were intertwined with gambling and alcohol addictions and the boys were stoned drunk and hyped up on illegal drugs. A bit outdated and a drastic case, but the media they consumed was blamed for their problems.

Today, the internet takes the blunt of the blame for the problems of the youth. It is said to be causing shorter attention spans, a decline in real contact social abilities, and even rewiring the brain to that compared to an infant. A little far don’t ya think, considering the Web hasn’t even been able to sweepingly affect minds until the early to mid 1990’s.

Cell phones too, hold the responsibility for our mentally deficient youngins. Texting has replaced talking, meaning no child can now competently carry on a conversation using common English. Or, we have seen the development of a new form of short-hand, comparable to what is used in note-taking, now in simple conversations. Shortened phrases, symbols replacing words, readable to those who know the “language”. . . I would categorize that as short-hand writing.

What experts in their respected fields don’t warn the masses about are the extraordinarily positive effects the internet has on youth and adults alike. We are now easily able to contact and keep in contact with friends and relatives like no other generation could imagine. Information on any subject is now at the touch of a button, a millisecond away. Products and goods can now be found, bought, and brought to your doorstep without the hassle of lines and shortages.

The scientists do have something right, though. We are developing an on demand attitude. Good or bad, we want what we want, now. This is probably due to our advancing technologies or our evolving world. The chicken or the egg question. Whichever, cell phones now outnumber watches, lap-tops are an essential in every coffee shop, and ear buds are more fashionable than ear rings. Who’s to say this is a bad thing?

Scientists and parents are just scared of the advancing world, one dependent on technology. If the entire infrastructure of the internet collapses, cellular towers crumble, and heaven forbid TV frequencies become lost in endlessness of space, then what will we ever do? Be catapulted back into the stone-age, with no foundation to base society on is my guess. Or we could all relax, take a step back, teach our kids to reason and write, and continue through the daily grind.

New thoughts, no go

2010-04-18T21:20:00.000-07:00

facebook, twitter? rotting your brain from the inside out? no way brotha, its expanding your capabilities like you never would have known. Think about it, you can chat with a friend in Argentina, buy shiz in Egypt, and watch the going-on's in Alabama. Is that a downfall? Limiting what a person becomes? I think not. For a young person or an old dogg, social networking, and the internet is actually taking what you can and want to do, and blowin that into space and beyond. It is not, like experts want to say, slowing your abilities, making you an ADHA crazy, or boiling your brain to gravy. Nada yo's, nada!

Network

2010-03-30T04:52:00.000-07:00

After recently viewing the critically acclaimed film Network, and by recently I mean last week, I was pretty impressed. It was compelling, dramatic, humorous at times, all in all a complete film. It does seem to be most interesting because of how timeless it is. Being made it 1976, it can still be compared to our current media situation. For example, the littlest things such as when the Diana character is spewing what the newspapers are containing, things haven't changed much. Wars between small militia groups over territory or religion, oil prices skyrocketing, etc. Opening today's newspapers would be quite similar. If we dive further, and look at the techniques they were using to become the top network, nothing has changed, and in fact that could be the scariest part. They wanted their network to have the highest rating, and how? By having the most sensational program at any cost. Beale was a rambling idiot, making some sense, but really just loony with a camera on him, and he was put on air because people were watching. He wasn't put there because of the message he was conveying to the American people, he was making money. The same was true with the programs Diana was expecting for the new season, something that would almost disgust people, but keep them tuned in. This was the train wreck theory, terrible, horrible, catastrophic event that no one wants to see, but yet when its covered, no one can turn away.

Who are you?

2010-03-12T17:05:00.000-08:00

With the World Affairs Conference earlier this week, I had the chance to hear from people from across our social spectrum. These people gave us a view of a different life. Their stories began a thought process of my own, who we are and how we get to where we’re going.
Life changing experiences, we all have them. Learning to walk, making friends, getting a car, first days of school and graduations, weddings and funerals. All of these shape us into what we become. Some place so emphasis on learning or working, striving to be smarter, stronger, richer, or just greater. Experiences open to those quick out of the gates, and close to those dragging their feet, regardless though, these experiences help make us, us.
What people forget along their road of experiences isn’t the life changers, but the life definers. Instances in our being where we make a decision that shows who we are, not what we are. Decisions such as these are critical, and become elements of that individual. These arise before all of us, each person gaining their uniqueness one choice at a time. When are these moments? One doesn’t know until they’re over, looking back and seeing the affects. For me, a choice of definition came upon my first travel abroad.
I was a senior in high school, had little experience outside Nebraska’s border states, never been on a plane, and I went to Germany for three weeks with a group of strangers. From take off, I was hooked. A fire had been lit, and has continually burned since. To this day, I’ve returned to Europe twice, once for vacation and another as a study abroad. That initial defining moment began an unending addiction to see, taste, try and experience anything and everything.
And the addiction continues, I’ve applied for another study abroad, to China now. This opportunity grabbed hold of me because of what possibilities will arise from it. I will be able to be completely immersed into a culture and people that is far from normal to me. This is what drives me the most, a chance to break free from my “comfort zone.” China, I imagine, will be another defining moment for me.
And what China is to me, is what I imagine is needed by everyone. Times where the world is turned upside down, times that throw you spinning, times that truly define the individual. It’s here that people are able to really see who they are, and what they’re made of. One doesn’t have to fly around the world to see themselves, but they need to be in a place with no safety lines or life jackets, where the true you emerges. For me, its these adventures that pull me out to sea, and I am able to let go and take the ride.
So for those out there, comfortably strolling through life, stop. Take a look at what you’ve done and seen, do you know who you are and not what you’re becoming? I have little knowledge on this when compared to the many speakers heard this past week, but I do know this world doesn’t wait. Now is the time for you to make that choice, something that identifies you. An adventure abroad or just a step out of your everyday norm, something that you can take away with a new image of yourself. Life changes in an instant, but in the big picture, what defines you?

Us

2010-03-12T17:02:00.000-08:00

Who are we and what makes us? Choices, our choices define us. As we saw from guest speakers at the World Affairs Conference, our decisions shape us.

Tips for MIPS-Final Draft

2010-02-26T15:36:00.001-08:00

The Buffalo County Responsible Beverage Service Coalition

Underage drinking is a problem across our nation, underage drinking is a problem across our state, and underage drinking is problem across our county. In the broad spectrum, our state Nebraska showed from 2006-2007, 32.4 % of those between the ages of 12 and 20 had consumed alcohol in the past month. For that same group, 21.7% had admitted to binge drinking. Yes, underage drinking is a problem, and it needs to be taken care of.

Buffalo county is notorious for housing a large drinking population. UNK has been blessed with the saying “Can’t spell drunk without UNK.” One would expect this, a city with a university at its heart. College and drinking seem to go hand and hand, and responsibly this isn’t a problem. Youth consuming alcohol isn’t responsible, and the problem still stands.

Buffalo County’s response? Tough love. If one has the misfortune of being caught in the act of consuming an alcoholic beverage while being underage, kiss a weekend goodbye. Buffalo County says to lock’em up, the slammer will teach them to think twice before downing a beer. Here in our county, being caught means an almost automatic weekend jail sentence.

What does this say to our youth though? Drinking is irresponsible, and only for the mature, learns from this, and grows to be an up-and-coming fair citizen to be proud of? No, this teaches youth, don’t get caught. Youth only think a weekend in jail would be terrible, so instead outsmart the cops, and drink responsibly, hidden in basements or friends’ apartments. Is this what we want to convey to our youth?

Why not use these mistakes as a learning experience, or a chance to give back. Incorporate more community service, steep punishments of, but a way they “work” off the crime. Or add diversion programs to the punishment. Some of these juveniles don’t understand why they shouldn’t drink at a younger age or don’t know the effects they are trigger off for the rest of their life. The easy “lock’em up and throw away the key” sentence only tells them to be smarter when they drink, not to stop the drinking.

Buffalo County, listen up. Our style of rule over these youth is not something we want to teach them. Rehabilitation will mould them into those upstanding citizens we dream they can become, not incarceration. Responsibility is what we want and need, and through teaching, not jailing, we will achieve this.

MIP'in

2010-02-25T19:44:00.000-08:00

Buffalo County, what's up with your policy on jail time for minors? Couldn't we more effectively use these opportunities, yes opportunities, to get these kids to learn from MIPs? I think so. This two day jail time has gotta go, nobody's learnin nothin'.

2010-02-21T19:20:00.000-08:00

I'm Just Sayin'

2010-02-21T19:11:00.001-08:00

As my roommates and I were reminiscing about previous evenings out and about, we came to a conclusion. It seems if there is a less attractive woman about, she is stereotyped as a lesbian. And if we flip it, good looking men are questions to be gay. Why the jump from the sexes? Gay men seem to be a bit more clean cut, with a balanced wardrobe and lesbians with butch haircuts and boots on. I'm not the bigot looking at them this way, but the common perception is out there, I'm just sayin. . .

The Addiction Continues. . .

2010-02-19T20:02:00.000-08:00

I am only a man, a man with good intentions, a man who wishes to better himself, a man who knows failure but refuses to quit. (Errr. . . Quitting is the point, so a man who can quit, for good reason, but for other reasons doesn't. Quitting, right.) The addiction is in full force now, consuming my entire body of thought. I have chosen out of free will to put down this beast and drink no more. Coffee that is, (if you thought booze was being involved here, that'd be crazy. A 22 year old college student living in Nebraska of all places, booze is not an addiction or necessity, but a way of life. Back to the point,) Coffee is done, but the grip of the drug holds tight. There is no way around these never ending urges to take the grounds and use it as the childhood "Fun Dip." The demon within cries out to brew a concentrated batch and shoot up to get the instant high. The pain is incessant and dulling, I have shrunk to a feeble skeleton of a man. My hair has fallen out and my mind strains to keep on the simplest of tasks. The drug has taken hold, and the ride out is through a fiery hell to freedom.

Congratulations!

2010-02-13T07:51:00.000-08:00

Last week man, woman, and child were witness to one of the greatest moments in football history, if not in all of sports history. A battle was fought, and one man rose above the rest to stamp his name into the history books. Congratulations to Peyton Manning, a quarterback we will forever remember now. That last pass, turning into an interception returned for six is ultimately what he can thank for this. Yes, I am saying Peyton is great because he screwed up.

For some time now, Peyton has been compared to Brett Favre, arguably the greatest player we've seen in a long time, and arguably is invincible. Favre holds what seems like hundreds of records, breaking one every time he steps onto the field (I would too if I'd played for 20 years. . .). Speculators and analysts both could agree that although he has many records, Peyton has more then fair odds to surpass him. But we could never put him into the likes of Favre, until now.

With that pick'six, Peyton did what I never thought I'd see, screw up BIG TIME. The man we see as emotionless and cool headed constantly, lost his rhythm, and lost the game. He pulled a Favre, and in Favre fashion. In the biggest game of the season with his team, his fans, and his endorsements all weighing down, he blew it. It was a very bold move by Peyton, to "throw" the game like that, just to be in the club, but I'm sure his team understood. Not just anyone can be considered a phenomenal player while still be labeled as a screw up, but now Peyton can.

I had lost hope, that all the gunslingers, risk takers, and gamblers had faded away, and Favre was the last of his kind. This re-energized me as a football fan, that I can still turn some football on, and see a royal mistake happen. So congratulations Peyton, you passed through the ranks, and now sit atop the mountain of successful failures. Oh, and I guess the Saints did alright, Brees had a heck of a game, but he's no Peyton.

Sense for Incentives-Final Draft

2010-02-12T17:39:00.000-08:00

Creating jobs, encouraging young talent, boosting the state revenue. No this is not the outline for Obama's next speech or some dream plan to pull people from the depths of a recession. This is logical thinking for what will happen if Nebraska can pass the Bill 1073, the "Building Nebraska's Creative Economy Act."

The bill will expand the present, but insignificant, entertainment market. As of now, filmmakers have no reason to bring their business to the Beef State, because there is little enticement here. Nebraska’s idea of attracting business is to aid with lodging if the company stays for over 30 days. Not enough. The simple fact is money talks. The stereotype that Nebraska is boring is not a sound enough reason to ward off business. Nevada, for example, seems to be in the same boat as far as physical attraction to the state, outside of Las Vegas and Reno. In 2008 Nevada brought in $110 million through film production revenue. Nebraska can’t expect to pull numbers as that, but a piece of the pie would be nice.

Case in point is the recently released George Clooney block buster “Up in the Air.” Clooney’s character is from Omaha, but only a day and a half of filming was set in Omaha, the other six weeks were spent in Michigan and Missouri. In Missouri if an entertainment company spends $100,000, the state will pay out 30 to 35 percent of that sum. Michigan will pay out 40 percent on only $50,000. One doesn’t have to be savvy with accounts to see why less than two day were devoted to actual plot setting.

We also can’t point the finger at the talent base here. There are fine opportunities for minds to bloom into great filmmakers here, and with incentive we could keep that talent around. Omaha native Alexander Payne directed “About Schmidt” starring Jack Nicholson as well as “Sideways” starring Paul Giamatti. The later piled on the awards including a Golden Globe for Best Picture. Payne is working on making another film, entitled “Nebraska,” but admitted that without the lure competing states have, “Nebraska” could be “South Dakota.” This proves talent can be grown and harvested in the bread basket of America, but can it feed itself?

The entertainment business is an ever growing market across America, and for Nebraska to sit idly by while other states reap the rewards of that business is ridiculous. Nebraska needs this bill, for money, for talent, and for opportunities. The planned bill could bring $1.08 or upwards of $1.25 on every $1.00 spent, money that would significantly aid after last year’s recession. This is not a dream or an opportunity that can afford to be squandered. Nebraska, we’re on, Lights, Camera, Action.

Cereal Killers

2010-02-12T06:24:00.000-08:00

In the early mornings of stock and load, men's minds wonder. Running on few hours of sleep and fueled by high doses of caffeine, one's mind will stray into the very depths of the unknown and unthinkable. Fluorescent lighting seems to beat down upon the backs of the drones while monotonous duties fill the hours. The only way to stay sane in this sunless world is to keep the mind active, as such, topics of rare discussion begin to grow.

If we could escape this world of never-ending shelves to the realm of the unimaginable, we may be able to answer; "Who is the toughest breakfast cereal icon?"
A question we've all passed over, but what is the answer? To begin, we must exclude all "off brand" mascots, for they are but pictures, the name brand characters have personalities, spirit, and unique traits that generations have come to idolize.

Over mornings upon mornings of seeing these characters, the answer has become clear. Count Chocula. Your arguments are welcomed, but let us first rationalize this decision.
The most obvious match up to the Count, is of course, Cap'n Crunch. He is a Cap'n, and challenging foe. He has a big hat, is armed with a sword, and above all he's on a ship. And possibly his greatest attribute is his greatest weakness, because logically thinking proves, why would Count Chocula be out at sea? And Cap'n Crunch wouldn't be caught dead on land, being left defenseless. In the caves, the Count wins. On the ship, the Cap'n has a chance, but the upper hand goes to Count with the fangs. A battle on a neutral site, hands down goes to the Count.

The next most competent challenger is none other than Tony the Tiger. This guy is an animal, literally and figuratively. Tony stands on his hind legs unlike most tigers, which gives him an edge. If I'd have to guess, he'd stand about 9.5 feet, and weigh in at about 400 pounds. Besides the pure strength, size, and agility, though, he's powerless. Count Chocula, we'd have to speculate, has all the powers of the average vampire, which makes this a close fight, but again the Count would be victorious.

After these two, the competition really falls off. As much as it pains me to say it, Lucky the Leprechaun wouldn't stand a chance. He may be able to escape danger, but in a WWE style fight, there's nowhere to run. Others may say Snap!, Crackle!, and Pop! could triple team the Count, and overpower him. This wouldn't happen, they are but children, no match for an age old vampire. And the rest of the breakfast crowd seems to hold nothing for a match either.

Mind you all, arguments are very much so encouraged, but through extensive research, I doubt a strong enough argument can knock Count Chocula off the top. This was restricted to only cold breakfast cereal characters, though. If we, say, open the competition to all of the consumable product mascots, undoubtedly the Jolly Green Giant would be king, but that's another discussion entirely. . .

All credit to this hot topic goes to Frank and Stephen, both of Target.

Sense of Incentives

2010-02-11T12:44:00.000-08:00

Creating jobs, encouraging young talent, boosting the state revenue. No this is not the outline for Obama's next speech or a plan to people from the depths of a recession. This is logical thinking for what will happen if Nebraska can pass the Bill 1073, the "Building Nebraska's Creative Economy Act." The bill will give incentive for filmmakers to shoot their films here, as opposed to basing a story here, and shooting out of state. Crazy? But true, the film Up in the Air starring George Clooney (big name actor I've heard) was just that. Based in Omaha, shot in Missouri and Michigan for the most part. They did shoot in Omaha, for a day and half. Whoo Hoo Nebraska! Way to tackle that money making opportunity! This is just one recent example that could have been capitalized on if we had some kind of an incentive bill to attract filmmakers. Let me correct myself, we do have some pluses for companies to film here, if they stay for over 30 days we'll help with their lodging. Hold the doors people, we'll be seeing them comin fast with that news! These companies spend millions+ on films, boosting the local economy while they're shooting, and attracting tourism for just their presence. And we say we'll cover the room (well some of it anyway. . .). Nebraska isn't "pretty" some would argue, who wants to film here? Valid point, but would these people call Nevada "pretty"? I'd say its a draw, except that Nevada brought in $110 million in 2008 due to film production. Hmmm. . . I guess that could help out the economy, a measly $110 million only though. . . Maybe Nevada and other states are just boiling over with home grown talent that feeds their economy and Nebraska can't keep up. Hear of "Sideways" or "About Schmidt"? Good flicks, but above Nebraska talent? Nope, Omaha native Alexander Payne directed those, and won an Oscar for "Sideways." He actually wants to make a movie titled "Nebraska," and base it. . . yes here in Nebraska. With little incentives here though, others push him to shoot elsewhere. Makes sense, with nothing pulling him in, simple math would show why he wouldn't. Let's get the reel turning Nebraska, keep our award winning talent here, attract more and with it bring is some serious dough. Nebraska, we're on, Lights, Camera, Action.

Take Note

2010-02-06T13:29:00.000-08:00

America, enough with the stupid dancing and singing crap on T.V., let's start showing entertaining and educational shows such as this:

I loath thee. . .

2010-02-06T12:21:00.000-08:00

I have a confession, I hate someone. For the sake of privacy, we can call them Jerry.
I hate Jerry with the up-most passion that a person can possible imagine. With every thought of Jerry, my teeth grind, my veins throb, and my vision begins to quake. I hate Jerry. Jerry is the do-gooder, the go-getter, the "go-the-extra-mile'er." Images and thoughts that I didn't think I possessed stream through my brain when but one hushed word drools from Jerry's mouth. I hate Jerry. Jerry is the pounding headache after a night of drinking. Jerry is the chair leg upon which you stub a bare toe. Jerry is the bird shit on your recently cleaned windshield. Upon seeing Jerry, my day will be ruined. Upon hearing Jerry, all focus is shifted to controlling predator-like urges of stopping the sound. I hate Jerry. If given the choice between a five minute conversation with Jerry and a hot wax removal of all bodily hair, I choose hairlessness. Jerry is not a concentration of evil, but rather a product of all that annoys. I hate Jerry.

An Addiction. . .

2010-02-04T05:12:00.000-08:00

I have a an addiction. My day, my world, my LIFE revolves around consuming more and more, finding myself with no other answer to the craving. I'm juiced to accomplish the most minuscule of tasks. Not a day goes by that I can resist the urges to use. Sleep is the only downtime, and even then its not long. Rising early to suck down more and driving until late to avoid falling off. To imagine a day free of the drug is to imagine non-existence. I'm hooked. . .on coffee. Folgers, Starbucks, Caribou, it doesn't matter, I use it all. Starting with just a cup a day seemed fine, hurting no one. Now 8, 10, 12 before the sun breaks and pots upon pots before it sets. Hazelnut, Colombian, French, I can't stop myself. Coffee is the fuel to which my body runs, and if the tank runs dry I shut down. More and More! The brew is getting too weak as of late, and I've been resorting to eating the beans like a child eating candies. Always hyped, never down. This isn't a cry for help, but a scream for an answer to the buzz!

Cutting it Close

2010-01-30T21:16:00.000-08:00

I was shown a valuable lesson tonight, a lesson I will always remember and practice throughout my life. I was working the Storm Hockey game, and the Storm were down 1-0 in the 2nd period. I expected them to not get the job done, lose another one, and slip further away from that clinched playoff spot. Instead, the Storm rallied and tied the game up. This still isn't enough to finish their duties though. When time was running below 1.30 left in the 3rd, I figured tonight was going to be another OT heartbreak loss, but again the Storm exceed my expectations, and score a goal, sealing the victory and closer to that playoff spot.
Sitting back, realizing what had just happened, I used those skaters' as an example to lead a little something in my own life. It's 11.25PM on Saturday night, the last day within the last hour of this week. This is my 3rd blog post for the week, but it's enough for the win. So even though I was down, against the odds, I've rallied back, with two consecutive posts to get me through this week. In hockey or homework, even if you wait until the end to finish off what you set out to do, a finish is a win.

To the bro's

2010-01-30T20:42:00.000-08:00

It's Saturday night, ya'll are makin your way out to the Kearney night life, ready to rage on. Sorry ladies, this doesn't concern you at the moment. Fellas, here's a pointer when gettin your drink on with the bro's, avoid singing along to all those guilty pleasures you secrecty can recite verse for verse. The men will rag on ya and you'll look like a fool, he's a short list of videos you don't want to sing along to at the pub:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Up in Smoke

2010-01-30T20:41:00.000-08:00

In Chattanooga, Tennessee, we are seeing a first step from a smoking ban in public, to that in private. As of February 1, the Memorial Hospital will be adding nicotine as a substance screened for the hiring process. If you smoke, forget about a position. One can say this would be a step to bring down health care premiums, which it would, but this isn’t why they’ve added nicotine to the screen. No, they say it’s for a step in the direction of healthier employees.

Understandable that a hospital wants to promote health, but to invade into one’s personal life? Employer based smoking bans should not impose on someone off-the-job. We’ve seen the growing trend on banning public smoking in venues, on medical campuses, in restaurants and bars etc, where other people are directly affected by your choice. But now the home? Entering a person’s world of escape, their get-away from any of the troubles of life has just been intruded upon, and by all things a halt on a completely legal substance. Illicit drugs would be a completely different scenario, the power of the law backs this, but tobacco is being targeted because of its negative health effects.

Where does that leave the obese then? The people that can’t stop themselves from the all-you-can-eat buffets now have a “healthy” advantage over smokers. The U.S. has an ever growing increase in child and adult obesity, but no disadvantages come to them for their choice not to eat healthy, exercise, or control their personal off-the-job preferences. Just one example of discrimination we could also choose to not allow anyone to be hired.

The search for a reason not to hire someone could get even more critical. Alcohol for example, when drank in excess, is very damaging to the body. Banned? Will tests be taken when entering the workforce showing every flaw, the fewest take the position? We are on the upswing from a recession that rocked the market and closed positions; this nit-picking will not push us in the direction needed. We could be seeing a filtering system that removes anyone for any reason from the selection process. This may sound radical, but the slippery slope gets steeper after the home is invaded. And yes this is an invasion, entering our homes to dictate how we live or discriminate for our choices not affecting others. Health conscious hospitals today, but the line needs to be drawn at where this stops.

A Lesson Learned

2010-01-25T19:06:00.000-08:00

Unless you're an anti-sports nincompoop or fasting from any kind of media intake what-so-ever, you've heard the table is set for the Indianapolis Colts to play the New Orleans Saints. I expected the Colts to pass through the playoffs unscathed, as they did. They had little trouble with the Ravens and left the Jets with a "but if only" response to the critics of coach Rex Ryan wondering why they weren't picked to win out through the playoffs. The NFC was a different story. To skip the unneeded nonsense, we knew the old man from the North would lead his team to the "Who Dat Nation" of the South. Favre was under pressure, if he didn't make it this year he'd prob never get a chance because of his likelihood to retire... Who the hell really cares about Favre, he choked, the Vikings lost the game, retire, end of story. I had $50 on the game, and serves me right for choosing the damned Purple Paraders. Simple logic would have won me this gamble. It has nothing to do with one team having the highest scoring offense or the other having the decrepit "4" at the helm. No, a school child could have told us that good beats evil, enough said. No stat's, no plays, no pads. History tells us Vikings had success... at raping, pillaging, and conquering the poor. Hence evil. Saints on the other hand were those in God's graces, living a life of righteousness, exactly what comes to mind when thinking of the city of New Orleans... They're Saints in any case, and this was just another classic example of the good always winning. So enjoy it N.O., you're the good guys, but remember when you "go marching in" to Miami in two weeks, Payton doesn't shive a git about good and evil, "Who Dat" gonna get knocked flat.

To the Red Nation

2010-01-23T15:04:00.000-08:00

See more funny videos and Funny Videos at Today's Big Thing.

By now, I'm sure this viral video has crept onto all of your monitors and you've waited for a legitimate response to it. Who better then myself, a fellow, more level-headed Ginger. I think we first need to commend the man who took the first step in this long overdue "Rally Cry", he's said what's been on many minds for far too long. Gingers do have souls and as one can see a bit of a temper. This man, lets call him Roy, has passion and guts, and is fed up with this world of bigots we live in. Roy put an end to what began as a slippery slope to Ginger-racism we see in our daily lives. Frankly, I agree. This is a call to action to all the Gingers of the world! Enough of our passive ways, we cannot go like this with the thorn of prejudice continually in our sides. Stand and Unite, no longer will we sit back and allow these verbal beatings to take place. Blondes, browns, blacks and alike have had their day, We the Ginger Nation need to take to the streets! 2010 is the year we take Roy's vigor and courage to our oppressors, 2010 is the year we put our freckled foot down and break the walls of this class system we have fallen into, 2010 is the Year of the Ginger! The Red Nation has sparked the movement, behind Roy we begin our climb!

No Smoking on the Job

2010-01-18T17:06:00.000-08:00

In recent times, nationally there seems to be a growing trend opposing smoking. For many years, smoking in public buildings has been banned. They took it further by laying down laws to separate the puffers in restaurants. In Nebraska here, one can't even light up while having a round of beers with his buds at the local watering hole. I understand public buildings where in some instances one can't avoid the smoke if say meetings or sporting events are being held there. But bars? To me, this imposes on not only a smokers right to a bit of smoldering enjoyment, but also tells the bar owner how they must run their establishment.

The slippery slope gets steeper now though, because employers are beginning to join the puffing-opposers. In Chattanooga, Tennessee, the Memorial Hospital will begin screening applicants for traces of tobacco use. Those positive will not be hired, but those already working will not be affected. Where does it stop? Can fully qualified obese people be filtered from the hiring process? In the future can we see the nit-picking become more refined?

Understandably, they say smokers cause employers more with health care cost annually as compared to none smokers. Are you telling me that a nationally renowned heart surgeon will be denied a position because of his off the job habit? I play video games that could cause future hand functioning problems, would I be denied if I was a leading neurologist? I don't play video games at work, nor do they smoke at work, but the job will be passed over regardless. We need to take a step back here, and not look at where we're at, but where we're going with these "health-conscious rules" that are being force fed to us.

Hello World

2010-01-18T15:29:00.000-08:00

To the World Wide Web, I am now what you call a web logger, or Blogger. Thank you for accepting me into your world, I look forward to spewing my thoughts upon you to forward to the rest of your world.
Until next time, yours in Blogging