Youtube.

I love youtube. I love it for its wealth of information, misinformation, explosions, music videos, reviews, jackass stunts, talent, and just about anything else you could possible think of. For many people, youtube is a way to express themselves to the world. In doing so, some people have even become famous.

I spend more time than I should on youtube.com, often watching videos about stuff that interests me, as well as other stupid shit my brother emails me.  My favorite videos include; the Zelda theme on an 11-string bass, vader sessions, evil state of the union addresses, and possibly my favorite, a miniature working Ferrari 312 PB.

I find it amazing how so many people with so many different interests use youtube on a daily basis.  It has such a diverse group of videos, something for everybody.  Whether you are straight, gay, tall, short, fat, thin, republican, democrat, old, young, smart, dumb, hungry, not hungry, loud, quiet, or giraffe, it makes no difference.  I suppose the only people that wouldn't like youtube are people who: 1) don't like the internet 2) don't like videos 3) don't know what youtube is.

There are a couple things about youtube that I would change.  One would be that there are now ads when you watch videos.  I find ads extremely annoying, especially when they get in the way of me watching something.  It is like somebody I don't like standing in front of the TV whenever I try to watch it.  The other thing is corporate censorship.  Television networks often prevent people from posting their videos.  That is why you will never see a video from SNL or The Office on there.  Same goes for Robot Chicken, although some clips have slipped past.

Overall, I have spent way too much time on youtube since discovering it a couple years ago, but I am no worse for the wear.  If anything, I am better for it.  I learned how to tie a bow tie, blow things up with mentos and diet Coke, that cats don't work well in zero gravity, and how waves move across a water sphere in space.

For this entry I will go above and beyond.  A youtube video for your viewing pleasure.

During my senior year of high school my film class had a documentary assignment.  A couple classmates and I decided that this was going to be our big project for our senior year.  Jonathan Mitrick, one of the project partners, proposed that we document the life of people at an orphanage in Jamaica, trying to show how they get by day by day with what they have.  Who wouldn't like this idea?  Jamaica seems like a pretty awesome place with beaches and fancy resorts.  Well, that wasn't exactly the case.  The beaches and resorts are only seen by the tourists.  The citizens of Jamaica live a very different life.  Much of the country lives below the poverty line.  The particular home we were going to is supported by a church in Jacksonville, Florida, so they were a little better off than most folks.  Seeing how these people were so thankful for the little they had really gave me faith in mankind.  They lived a very simple life, no internet, no cell phones, minimal technology and almost no television, a warm shower was hard to come by.  The whole experience changed the way I define necessity.  I am much more thankful for my family and friends, the things that I have are not as important as having friendship.

Although my classmates never did post the video on youtube, some member of the church ripped it from our DVD without our permission and posted it.  So here it is.

This video makes me feel like crap about the future.  Not only did the makers of the video not know how to record in stereo, it made me wonder if anything positive is happening in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In the video, one guy said that he does not view Americans as human and will never respect us.  This is all the fault of the Americans, we are the ones to blame.  I really wish the military would get their act together.  It is a shame that people feel like this because of the American Military.  The opinion of these people will only spread over time.  They will tell their friends and family who will then spread it on to other generations.  Eventually, lots of people will feel that Americans are not friends of Islam.  I, for one, am definitely a friend of Islam.  

In this day and age people should be tolerant of other religions and viewpoints.  Although I was brought up Roman Catholic, their beliefs have not stayed with me over time.  One thing I never liked about Christianity is that it is a universalizing religion.  This means that followers try to convert people to Christianity because it is the only way to get to heaven.  I never have and never will respect anybody who tries to force their religion upon anybody else.  It actually makes me feel offended.  I believe that tolerance is the key.  One should respect the beliefs of others, just like you would want others to respect your beliefs.  As much as I disagree with those religious nuts that spew bible versus in Woodruff Park I never stop to argue or tell them they are wrong.

Relating that to the video, I have nothing against Islam personally and I don't think it is right for them to attack us for our beliefs.  They should practice some religious tolerance and keep their beliefs to themselves.

And the future right now looks like a steaming pile of doodoo.  Not to be too optimistic.

Stuff White People Like

I feel mixed about the list.  Parts of me think it is hilarious, stupid, hilariously stupid, entertaining, and offensive.  First of all, I would like to make it known that I feel many lists are overrated.  People make ways to many about really stupid things.

I find this particular list hilarious.  Mostly due to the reason that somebody (or several people) took the time to make this list.  Like I said in a previous entry about rich people buying dead zebras, do people not have anything better to do with their time.  Also some of the items on the list are a bit specific, such as Sarah Silverman and Wrigley Field.  Some of the items are inherently stupid though, like "knowing what's best for poor people" and "girls with bangs."  

This list is also sort of offensive to me.  Being a white person I don't like all of the things on the list.  Not only do I not like scarves and sushi, many other white people don't like them either.  I also don't understand why the list is only aimed at white people.  There are plenty of people with different skin colors who like divorce, marijuana (especially marijuana), traveling, and apologies.  The author of the list should have called their blog "I am white and this is what I like."  However, that would only work if the author were white, otherwise the blog is a racist generalization.

The blog tries to poke fun at white people, but I feel that it misses the mark.  While some of the items listed are funny and stereotypical, others just don't make sense and offend me as a white person.  Maybe I should start a blog "Stuff Black People Like" and satirize watermelon, fried chicken, and du rags.  Maybe not.

H.H. Holmes

For some reason people are always fascinated by serial killers (or maybe it's just me).  Earlier today I was reading an article on Cracked.com about the 6 most horrifying ways anyone ever got rich. (Not that I was trying to get any ideas)  Number two on the list is a man who went by H. H. Holmes.  He graduated from medical school at the University of Michigan and moved to Chicago where he began to murder people, strip them down to their bones, mount their skeletons and sell them to medical schools.  

It is assumed that he killed as many as 250 people, but only about 25 murders have been confirmed.  So how would one go about killing lots of people without looking suspicious?  A hotel is the perfect tool.  But the hotel Holmes built was not ordinary building.  Called "The Castle" by locals, the 2nd floor consisted of air tight rooms to suffocate guests, torture rooms, trap doors, sliding walls, doors that opened with brick walls behind them, and (my personal favorite) a greased body chute that led to the basement.  Once in the basement he would either do the skeleton thing or dispose of the body by cremation or dissolving in acid.  

So by now you're probably thinking, why am I so interested in this?  It fascinates me how people will take their fantasies to such an extreme that they will actually kill people.  Also, that nobody caught on to Holmes' scheme.  The "Castle" is the main thing that interests me.  I don't really think it's cool that so many people died such terrible deaths.  Apparently during the building of his "Castle" Holmes fired workers very frequently and went through several builders so only he would know the layout of the building.  Also, because he fired people so often, he didn't have to pay many of them.  A wise move by the Doctor, indeed.  I think it would be awesome to see the building and explore the death traps and see the logistics behind it all.

I know this makes me seem kind of morbid, but I bet you couldn't watch the documentary (65 minutes) and not be in awe of the terrible things this dude did.

This article speaks volumes about the difference between the rich and poor.  There are 2 arguments you could make about the rich though.

One side of me wants to say, "good for you, you can afford to buy an expensive dead zebra."  The other side wants to say, "couldn't you have done something better with your money?"

The rich folk are certainly much more privileged than middle and lower class, they afford nicer stuff, but there is a fuzzy line between what is luxurious and what is ridiculous.  For example, I would consider having a Bentley to be luxurious.  It is both functional and nice.  Owning a zebra that has been preserved in formaldehyde is kinda of ridiculous (a live zebra would be cooler anyways).  At what point do we look at the actions of the rich and criticize them for not making better choices with their money?  This is hard to say because we cannot put ourselves in their shoes.  It is easy tell people what they should do with their money, but when other people tell you what do with your money you are less inclined to listen.  After all, it is their money and they can spend it how they please.

Now that I have that out of the way, we can move on.  

In all honesty, we all know that there are people around the world who are in need.  There are people in 3rd world countries who lack the basic necessities.  Hell, I walk by homeless folks everyday who need help.  Instead of spending 2 million US dollars on a dead zebra, $2 million could buy a lot of food, build quite a few houses, and vaccinate thousands of people.

The money at the auction could have been spent more wisely, but we are in no position to tell others what to do with their money.  I don't like it when people tell me what to do with mine.

Paper clips are AWESOME.

I like paper clips so much more than staples.  Mostly for their non-destructive nature, but also for their other uses in life.

The paper clip a classic tool used to keep papers together.  They function in such a way that they do not puncture the paper, unlike their arch rival the staple.  Paper clips are also reusable.  This is very important since we live in such a polluted world, we should be reusing everything we possibly can.  Staples are one time deal, once you hear the click of a stapler, you just wasted a very tiny piece of metal.

Another cool thing about the paper clip is its' versatility.  Most of us have heard of MacGyver, the extremely resourceful secret agent.  For him, the paper clip was a very popular multi-tool often kept on him at all times.  There are a number of ways a paper clip can be used, including: zipper tab, cherry pit remover, fingernail cleaner, emergency corkscrew (for your emergency drinking needs), miniature catapult, and my favorite, let the air out of someone else's tires when he parks across multiple spaces.  Not to mention making chains.  Probably the most important use of the paper clip is saving lives.  It's a very serious business.

Overall, I firmly believe the paper clip is the wave of the future.  Next time you reach for that stapler, just think about how you are polluting and denying somebody the simple joy of letting the air out of someone else's tires.

Top 10 Albums.

If I were stuck on a desert island and could only have 10 music albums with me, they would be the following:

[Insert]  After I finished the list I realized the order is backwards.  My favorite is at the top, #1.

1.  How the West Was Won - Led Zeppelin.  Like any other person who loves rock music, I love Led Zeppelin.  My senior year of high school was the year of Zeppelin for me.  I downloaded every single one of their albums and listened to all of their songs on a regular basis and still know the lyrics to most of them.  It has always been a dream of mine to see Zeppelin in concert, but since Bonham (the drummer) died the band split up.  They have only done one reunion concert in London in 2007, and tickets were very expensive as you can imagine.  How the West Was Won is a 3 disc set that is a recording of some concerts put on in California.  The sound is so genuine I dont think any rock band could possibly recreate it.  BEST ALBUM EVER!!!

2.  Stadium Arcadium - The Red Hot Chili Peppers.  I loooooove the peppers.  I really started listening to them in the 10th grade, but have since become an avid fan.  Stadium Arcadium is a great album in full.  It is a double album, but no half is better than the other.  I like the Peppers because they have such a unique style.  They don't really care what other bands sound like, they just make music for themselves.  In particular, the lyrics of Anthony Keidis (lead singer) are very interesting, often using creative metaphors and word choice.  The album is wonderful to listen to, and according to iTunes, I listen to it a lot.

3.  Californication - The Red Hot Chili Peppers.  Yet another great album from the Peppers.  Released in 1999 it contains one of their most famous songs, Californication.  The song is about how the world is adopting some of the strange views held by the folks who live in California.  It definitely says a lot about today's society.  One of my favorite tracks from the album is "Easily."  It has catchy lyrics and guitar riffs, a listening pleasure.

4.  By the Way - The Red Hot Chili Peppers.  Are you really that surprised?  By the Way is really what got me hooked on the Peppers.  The songs "Dosed" and "Midnight" are probably my favorite out of the album.  I also like "The Bicycle Song" but most people havent heard of it because it was a bonus track.

5.  Curtains - John Frusciante.  Continuing on my Peppers streak, John Frusciante is the lead guitarist of the Peppers.  Just after the turn of the century Frusciante decided to do some solo work.  "Curtains" is his latest solo album and features mostly acoustic songs, and an occasional electric solo.  His song "Anne" is my favorite on the album.

6.  Led Zeppelin IV - The classic Zeppelin album.  Featuring "Stairway to Heaven," the most legendary rock song ever.  It has something for just about everyone.  The songs starts off with an innocent acoustic guitar, then wraps up after a face melting electric guitar solo.  The rest of the album is just as good.

7.  Rhythm of the Heart - Jim Stubblefield Group.  Breaking away from the rock streak I have my Spanish guitar interests.  I find this music extremely relaxing.  The rhythm is very catchy and relaxing.  The notes are played with such precision.  This is probably the most beautiful album on my list.

8.  Rodrigo y Gabriela.  Another Spanish guitar group.  They were born in Mexico and moved to Ireland for some reason.  Their music is an interesting mix of Spanish guitar and Irish rhythms.  There is a strong heart pounding beat with intricate guitar played over top.  They are also very influenced by rock bands that came before them.  They do an acoustic cover of "Stairway to Heaven" by Led Zeppelin, and "Orion" by Metallica.  Both are fantastic.

9.  Are You Ready to Rock? - Blue Oyster Cult.  The album that needs more cowbell.  Blue Oyster Cult is most famous for their song "Don't Fear the Reaper."  The whole album is a little more heavy than your typical Led Zeppelin album.  Once again, awesome rock lyrics and sweet solos.

10.  What Goes Up! -  Blood, Sweat, and Tears.  Easy listening jazz.  Although I like this music, I think that other people on the island with me would be driven crazy.  Check it out.

I don't think what happened to Mr. Seale is very fair.  Serving a prison term 44 years after the crime he supposedly committed took place is ridiculous.  That would be like me going to jail in 32 years for something I supposedly did in the 3rd grade, with a liar as a witness.  I do admit that I stole a kid’s pencil though.  Jerk.

I do not think that Mr. Seale’s relatives were very wise for claiming he was dead.  That’s not suspicious at all.

While I greatly respect the US legal system, this case makes it look quite silly.  The fact that the judge would even consider hearing a 44 year old case is just stupid, especially because of a lack of evidence.  44 years is a really long time for no legal action. 

I do sympathize with the brother of the victim, although after 44 years he should settle down, especially since the old man hasn't been doing anything illegal since the alleged crime (because he has supposedly been dead).  Maybe Seale saw the error of his ways and has since quit the Klan and joined a southern Baptist Afro-American congregation (Blues Brothers style).  By 2007 the brother could have gone through enough therapy to maybe even forgive the dude.  I guess for him vengeance is sweet.

However, I do understand how both people feel.  Seale is probably pissed that they found him and pressed charges 44 years later.  Moore is finally able to sleep at night, not to mention he is pleased that he "disrupted his life."  Moore should have been content with Seale's health condition and considered that punishment enough.  After all, how could you put an old man with bone growths in jail?

I want to ride my bicycle.

Today I feel like writing in Courier.  Hooray for fixed-width fonts.

Since moving to Atlanta I have been without a car, I have been using a bike exclusively.  Most people would see this as a disadvantage, but I would have to disagree.  While not having a car does have its negatives, the positives greatly outweigh them.

Probably the biggest advantage for me money.  When I lived in Florida I would easily spend $50 a week on gas.  My car used a gallon of gas each way to work.  I figured that 1 hour of working would pay for me to get there and back.  This, of course, sucks.  Also, no car means no car insurance.  Can you hear the $$$$ being saved?  Lastly my car was very expensive to keep up, but I LOVE MY CAR. (<---Click for photos)  

MARTA.  For somebody from Florida this sounds like a very scary thing, but it's not so bad.  My first experience on Marta was July 30th, 2008.  The trip went fairly well, but after riding it for a month I got used to it.  When you ride it so often you begin to see familiar faces and meet new people.  Not to mention you can bring a bike onto the train.  Having a bike allows me to go anywhere within a couple miles of a Marta Rail Station, which is a large area.  One of the biggest perks is that my company will pay for my MARTA pass if I use public transportation to get to and from work.  

All of this means that means I pay $0 per month on transportation.  Yeah, that's right, I went from paying over $200 a month to $0.  I also get paid more up here as an added bonus.  $$$$  You can see why this is a big deal to me.

So now, we get to talk about the bad parts.  You are exposed to the elements when riding a bike, therefore you are sweaty in the summer and fucking cold in the winter (which I am not really looking forward to).  Not to mention the hills are kicking my ass, there are obviously no hills in Florida.  The other down side is it is slow.  Before going on a trip you have to plan things out, its almost like going on a mini-vacation.  I have found Google Street View particularly helpful for this.  Carrying items is also very limited on a bike.  A backpack is about the extent of what you can take with you, although I have managed to balance 3 pizzas on my handlebars before.  

Anywho, not having a car is awesome.  Missing your car stinks.  :-(

Free writing

On Labor Day I went to visit my cousins in the Dunwoody area since school was not in session.  I always enjoy visiting them because they are a fun group to be around, plus my Uncle Tariq makes some of the best food I’ve ever had in my life.  While talking around the kitchen table with the fam, I would glance over at my Uncle every once in a while to see my uncle flipping something, measuring, adding a spice, or tasting some food.  After watching him cook for a while, then tasting his creation, I decided that I need to learn how to cook.

There are a few reasons for wanting to learn how to cook, the first has to do with a desire to not eat junk food for the rest of my life.  As of right now my metabolism is such that I can eat whatever I want and I don’t gain a pound.  My dad used to be the same way, so I know what is in store for me.  Being able to cook for myself would provide a healthy alternative to eating EasyMac until I die.

Cooking would also give me something to practice and perfect on a day to day basis.  I don’t like to do very much, but I like to be good at whatever it is that I do.  Cooking something everyday would give me lots of opportunities to practice the art of cooking.  It would give me a chance to perfect recipes and ingredients.  It would be kind of like that Pixar movie Ratatouille.  That was the one with the rat that cooked in a famous French restaurant.

I LOVE food.  If I have the option to eat at a restaurant I jump at the notion.  The only problem with eating out all the time is that is gets very very expensive.  Cooking for myself would save money and time.  I could then used that saved money to go on a vacation, buy a nicer car, house, or maybe even a luxury yacht.   

I could also use cooking to entertain.  Hosting parties and serving my delicious food for everybody to enjoy.  I could entertain guests on my luxury yacht and cook up something delicious and tropical as we make our way to the Bahamas.  

Overall, cooking can only improve my health, budget, and way of life that I don’t think anything else can.  I should probably get started, it is time for some lunch.....

If I had the option to know the date, time, and delivery of my death I would have to decline for a few reasons.

For starters, knowing about my death would make me extremely paranoid.  For example, we'll say that I was going to die in a car accident.  I would be extremely terrified of all cars, whether I was in one or not.  The same thing goes for just about any other object.  I would hate to live in that kind of fear.

Depression would also be a downside.  Knowing how long (or short) I have to live would be a major downer.  I would most likely become a hermit and hate the world, much like goth kids.  On the other hand, it could make me severely violent.  It would be sort of like, "if I can't live nobody can."  Taking this theory to an extreme, it's possible I would go on a murderous rampage.  Nobody wants this.  This is highly unlikely because I am a pretty laid back person.

There is only one good thing that could happen.  Knowing the date and time of my own death could give me enough time to tie up any loose ends.  Or, as people in life insurance commercials put it, "I would leave my family with and financial burden."  For a few minutes I considered the idea that knowing about my death would give me a chance to do something about it.  The only problem is that if I were to avoid the original death, a new one would generate without me knowing about it.

Overall, I would prefer not to be paranoid, avoid a killing rampage, and live life in ignorance.  As the famous saying goes, "ignorance is bliss."