tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82685188164664782502024-02-08T09:12:55.798-08:00iSoldierThe life and times of a soldier-in-trainingSpoticushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13983421088303788046noreply@blogger.comBlogger91125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268518816466478250.post-37770253212983076642009-03-15T22:16:00.000-07:002009-03-15T22:32:09.248-07:00About Me #1I have an unexplainable need to run up stairs whenever I find myself at the bottom of a set of them.<br /><br />I have never seen <em>Citizen Kane</em>.<br /><br />I still have every book given to me for "required" reading for English and Literature classes in high school. I have never finished any of them because I could never bring myself to read any of the "classics" after I read the first chapter of <em>Catcher in the Rye</em>. <br /><br />I didn't eat meat of my own volition until I was 19.<br /><br />If I have a weakness, it's my sweat tooth. If I have two, the second is buying electronics.<br /><br />I love geometry almost as much as I love Secret of Mana.<br /><br />I shot a bow and arrow on a weekly basis for two years.<br /><br />I can remember my kindergarden gym teacher's name.<br /><br />I think stereotypes are hilarious <em>especially </em>when they apply to me.<br /><br />Not so deep down inside, I want to be James Bond.Spoticushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13983421088303788046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268518816466478250.post-9378634334171235742009-03-15T21:51:00.000-07:002009-03-15T22:16:21.518-07:00Who Doesn't Watch the Watchmen?<img src="http://www.comicrelated.com/graphics/ban/watchmen_splash.jpg" width="450" height="261" alt="Who Watches the Watchmen" /><br /><br />Let me preface this with the following: I have in fact read the graphic novel, and I believe that contributed heavily to my understanding and enjoyment of the film. <br /><br />Ok, now that <em>that's</em> out of the way...<br /><br />I loved the movie. It currently stands as one of my most favorite films (up there with Terminator 2, Juno, Iron Man, and the Godfather Parts 1 and 2). <em>The Watchmen</em> is a culmination of everything I look for in a movie: Solid performances from multiple cast members (not everyone played their parts equally well, but there was certainly no Sofia Coppola ala Godfather Part 3), gripping/well-thought-out story line, and a perfect soundtrack...perfect in that it could not have been any better in my opinion. The music fit the irony of the entire story. Perfect.<br /><br />That all being said, as I mentioned up top, I do think that in order to get a solid appreciation for the brilliance of the movie, you really really need to read the graphic novel ahead of time. The "characters" in the background (*wink*), the excellent and wise change to the ending, and the overall feel for the world of the Watchmen have to first be experienced in their original form. I had a ton of friends go into the theater expecting Spiderman even after I explained to them over many in depth conversations the significant depth and lack of "Hollywood epicness" of the graphic novel.<br /><br />So to summarize: Unbelievably brilliant movie...read it first.Spoticushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13983421088303788046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268518816466478250.post-51627391436963765592009-03-09T23:05:00.000-07:002009-03-09T23:11:22.858-07:00New Workout RoutineI've started running through a 30 minute, focused workout routine at lunch 3 times a week. Chest/triceps for Mondays, biceps/shoulders for Wednesdays, and back/legs on Fridays. The whole routine is based around doing 4 sets of 10 reps on 3/3 exercises for each muscle group. There's supposed to be very little down time in between, so my two buddies and I rotate between 2 or 3 different exercises at the same time. So far, it's kicking my butt...but I feel great afterward.<br /><br />I run twice a week with the team on T/Th (sprints and long run respectively)...overall, I think I've got fitness down as much as I can for now. I like feeling healthy (and not guilty about the occasional pizza...heh).<br /><br /><br />PT Test the first week of April...hopefully this all pays off!<br /><br />Peace.Spoticushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13983421088303788046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268518816466478250.post-21459565769321191322009-03-05T13:51:00.000-08:002009-03-05T17:02:30.236-08:00Rifle MarksmanshipPart of our company went to the rifle range this weekend. I shot 37/40 which qualified me for Expert which made me really excited especially considering the disaster that was my BCT qualificiation (broken rifle, first round no go, minimum qualify...bleh)<br /><br />We've got a Class A inspection tomorrow so I had to get my new marksmanship pin...and they really needed to be resized as well. The jacket I was issued at BCT was waaaay too big for me...hilariously oversized.<br /><br />Kind of an off-day tomorrow and some fun volunteering on Saturday. More on that later!<br /><br />Peace.Spoticushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13983421088303788046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268518816466478250.post-45655245829648784202009-02-16T20:57:00.000-08:002009-02-16T21:46:59.958-08:00Movie TheatersIt's official, movie theaters have been ruined by the rudeness and thoughtlessness of bad parents and stupid teenagers.<br /><br />I'm giving up on theaters.<br /><br />That's all for now.Spoticushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13983421088303788046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268518816466478250.post-14686407168436966762009-02-12T12:39:00.000-08:002009-02-12T12:51:05.821-08:00ObservationThe other day I went to <a href="http://pandaexpress.com/"><em>"Panda Express"</em></a> for dinner. There were mostly men and women of Latin American ancestory working behind the counter. There was a man of Eastern Asian origins behind me in line. <br /><br />It took 10 minutes of broken English (on both sides of the conversation) to get that man a to-go box of Chicken Fried rice. After it was all said and done, my friends and I shared a good laugh. From a strictly linguistics perspective, the fact that a (presumably) Chinese man can't order "Chinese" food from a (presumably) Mexican man in America because both have a limited grasp on the English language is <em>hilarious</em>!<br /><br />*Important Note* This is not meant to come off as condescending, bigotous, or mean. It was just a really funny, SNL-esque situation I wanted to share...<br /><br />That's all for now.Spoticushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13983421088303788046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268518816466478250.post-17745379267484380932009-02-09T10:52:00.000-08:002009-02-09T20:57:49.388-08:00Tech ReviewHere's what promises to be a significant posting...<br /><br /><img src="http://technogra.ph/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/2006-macbook-pro.png" width="354" height="340" alt="MacBook Pro" /><br /><br />MacBook Pro<br /><a href="http://technogra.ph/20080115/sections/reviews/macbook-pro-review/"><em>My Macbook Pro</em></a> is one of the greatest purchases I have ever made. Finally giving into my younger brother's persistant nagging, after I got to my current station post-Basic, I dove headfirst into the glorious Mac subculture.<br /><br />My initial elf-justification came from the full support of BootCamp, and the ability to flawlessly install Windows. However, until I recently installed a Beta of Windows 7 (a review for a later date), there hadn't been a copy of a Windows OS on my laptop for at least 8 months. Most of the gaming I do now is on the PS3 or PSP, so there's not really a need for me to use Windows for anything. I've got copies of the necessary Office software, I use superior video software, and OSX is much easier to use than XP (and of course, the steaming pile of freshman-level programming garbage that it Vista).<br /><br />I do have a few issues with my MacBook Pro. I don't understand the obsession with shiny coatings for electronics (be it the Mac's shiny-silver, or the PS3's Piano Black), but if it gets used, it scratches. I wish the coating was of a different texture. The bottom is scratched much more than it should be for as young as the computer still is, though I have managed to avoid messing up the top, keyboard, or palm-rests by using a cheap-external keyboard and mouse.<br /><br />The only other problem I occasionally run into is a compatability issue with OSX, but only with open-source and shareware programs.<br /><br /><br />Oh, and it runs Windows 7 almost flawlessly so far...having some trouble with the sound, but I'm not concerned as I haven't spent a great deal of time trying to figure it out yet.<br /><br />Hands down, if you can afford one, buy one.<br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.breakitdownblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/sony_playstation_3.jpg" width="354" height="340" alt="PS3" /><br />Sony Playstation 3<br /><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sony_PS3"><em>My PS3</em></a> is a beast. I was a little reluctant to get one for a long time because of the significant differences in quality and size of its game library when compared specifically to te XBox 360. However, I have had such success with my PSP that I decided to drop some money down and give it a try. I managed to snag one of the last models with 4 USB ports, card-slots, and (most importantly) PS2 backwards compatibility. It has an 80 GB hard drive and came with a copy of Metal Gear Solid 4. I have not regretted the purchase for a second.<br /><br />The backwards compatability works incredibly well. It's a shame they have since removed it.<br /><br />My initial worries about the game library were quickly put to rest. Sony's exclusives are top-notch. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_Gear_Solid_4"><em>MGS4</em></a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncharted"><em>Uncharted: Drakes Fortune</em></a>, and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Littlebigplanet"><em>LittleBigPlanet</em></a> are each by themselves more than enough reason to buy a PS3. Their combined level of fun, innovation, and general "awesomeness" is explosive particularly LittleBigPlanet.<br /><br />I actually use the PS3's media center functionality more than the gaming. The USB ports and DivX/XviD codecs make watching the mountain of TV shows I have on portable HD a snap...a little more compatability on the file extension side of things would e nice, but for the most part, I've not had any major issues. Also of course, the BluRay player works perfectly fine and supports all the necessities like BDLive and whatnot.<br /><br />I recently picked up a nice 40in LCD 1080p TV and barebones Sony 5.1 sound system to complete my HD experience, and I have not been disappointed. For anyone still settling for standard definition and trying to pass it off as, "There's no difference!", I have but one word for you, "WRONG!"<br /><br />HD even in 720p brings in a crystal clear picture, and true 5.1 Dolby Digital sound is glorious...Do it! Make the switch! The end of SD is near, and you are being left in the dark...Search your feelings! You know it to be true! <br /><br />That's all I got. Man, it feels good to be doing this again. I miss writing...Maybe I'll revisit <a href="http://eberronadventures.blogspot.com/"><em>my story blog</em></a> too...if I can find the time...<br /><br />PeaceSpoticushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13983421088303788046noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268518816466478250.post-54517140759650223642009-02-09T09:45:00.000-08:002009-02-09T10:49:56.430-08:00The Past Year: A SummarySo, it's been over a year...but I think it's time to bring this back...<br /><br />Here's a summary of what's been happening:<br />Army Stuff- <br /> I graduated with High PT Score for my Basic Training Company (325 with the extended scale!); my platoon won the Honor Platoon award as well. I loved my Drill Sergeants and made some really good friends, one of whom followed me out to my next station.<br /><br />I'm currently on my Unit's Run Team, and I've gotten my 2 miles time down to sub-twelve minutes which is very awesome...My squad is also fantastic. <br /><br />Politics-<br /> While I didn't vote for Obama, his policies so far have been pretty good. Not too terribly excited about his cabinet members, but I do approve of his appreciation for technology. Choosing an "internet czar" that actually understands what the internet is (and plays WoW) was a much-needed step in the proper direction. Also, I bought a MacBook Pro (I'll post a review of sorts later...) a while back...Obama's apparently a Mac user...I approve. All kidding aside (and most importantly of all given the current political climate of the world) the Middle East loves Obama (because most of them think he's a Muslim), and that has the potential to make my life easier for the next few years...<br /><br />Technology-<br /> I already mentioned that I bought a MacBook Pro...I've also managed to acquire a 40in toshiba LCD 1080p TV, a Sony 5.1 barebones sound system, and a PS3...I love all of them (many thanks to the floundering Circuit City and their ridiculously low prices!) More reviews to follow...<br /><br />Thats all for now...Peace out<br /><br />PS: 2008 coldest of the decade? HmmmmSpoticushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13983421088303788046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268518816466478250.post-24882632630430985492007-12-14T07:48:00.000-08:002007-12-14T08:08:28.453-08:00My Triumphant Return...Hello...it has been too long, my friends.<br /><br />A lot has gone on over the past month...mostly me trying to buckle down on classes so I can graduate...which I'm going to be doing tomorrow! How exciting is that? Four and a half years are gone tomorrow.<br /><br />A lot of Army stuff has gone down as well...I'm having some trouble with the University giving my proof of graduation by January 2nd...which would be awful...ruin all of the plans I've laid so far. So keep your fingers crossed for me on that issue.<br /><br />ROTC stuff finished up wonderfully...didn't end up with a 300 on the last pt test, but I wasn't expecting too...we lost too many days of PT to special events and such. I actually haven't done much exercise at all over the past month...woops...oh well, it's all been about passing, heh.<br /><br />I was worried about my databases class, but turns out there wasn't anything to worry about...ended up with a B, which is wonderful.<br /><br />Ok, I've got to run and start packing for Sunday...I've got a lot of stuff.<br /><br />Hooah.Spoticushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13983421088303788046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268518816466478250.post-14259359615452606032007-11-14T13:20:00.000-08:002007-11-14T13:23:09.583-08:00Range ShootingMy military science class shot M16s today. I did surprisingly well. All those hours of Call of Duty and Battlefield 2 have payed off. Last year's class was an embarrassing disaster for me...so it was nice to be at the front of the group.<br /><br />Anyways, that's all. Felt like a badass today...nothing else going on outside of classes and tests. In fact, I'm off to one right now.<br /><br />Hooah.Spoticushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13983421088303788046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268518816466478250.post-91448069538695837612007-11-12T05:55:00.000-08:002007-11-12T06:01:18.115-08:00No GoI will not be going on the field training exercise this weekend. A bit of a disappointment, but I'll use the time to get ahead on my homework so I won't be doing any over Thanksgiving Break. <br /><br />It turns out that there are a bunch of us not going...we're going to have a get together on Saturday, so that should be fun.<br /><br />For better or worse I still have to attend all of the prep-stuff this week...early-morning battle drills tomorrow, PT Wednesday, and something...can't remember what...probably more battle drills...on Thursday. <br /><br />The good news is no PT Friday, no PT Monday, and Break starts Tuesday after classes.<br /><br />I'm <em>probably</em> going to have to do some personal PT over the break though, seeing as how we really haven't even had PT in over a week prior to this morning...<br /><br />That's all I've got...fairly easy week other wise, minus the Graphics test I have on Thursday. <br /><br />Hooah.Spoticushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13983421088303788046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268518816466478250.post-8140429863283824252007-11-12T05:12:00.000-08:002007-11-12T05:55:45.994-08:00Obama, Taxes, and Social SecurityPresidential hopeful Barack Obama apparently thinks that the answer to our social security problem in this country is a <a href="http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/11/11/obama-i-deserve-a-tax-increase/">tax increase</a>. That's right, despite the fact that we're already giving an enormous chunk of our hard-earned green, the Senator believes that if we give up...nay, if he <em>takes away</em> even more of our money, the problem might just go away.<br /><br />I can't believe anyone would ever buy into this...I don't understand it. I'm no economist, but I'm pretty sure that more money I have in my hands the better off I am. More money means more control...<br /><br />Also, another thing that bothers me about this issue. You can't say that "it's for the aged and the shut-ins" because a good porition of them never see any of the social security money taken from them in their younger years anyway...and I almost certainly won't be seeing any of it. Privative it and let us handle our own damn money.<br /><br />That felt good...haven't done one of those in a while.<br /><br />Hooah.Spoticushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13983421088303788046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268518816466478250.post-73646084472153094012007-11-07T08:50:00.000-08:002007-11-07T09:00:27.242-08:00Hell WeeksIt's been a crazy couple of weeks here...<br /><br />Two very significant programming assignments were due this week (in Computer Graphics and Database Management I respectively), pushed back from last week...I had a test in another CPS course (in Software Engineering) yesterday. And I've got fraternity ritual this Friday, family and friends visiting, my final marching band game was last weekend...just...crazy.<br /><br />Fortunately, the last big school-related fiascos are due today...so at least I'll be done with those for a few days.<br /><br />We had swim PT this morning, which is always a nice change of pace, though now between the workout and a near-complete lack of consistent sleep for the past ten days I am completely exhausted.<br /><br />We've got battle drills in the morning for our lead lab, which ought to be fun...unfortunately, I might not get the chance to use them with the battalion on STX. Because I'm not actually with ROTC, there are restrictions as to what I'm actually allowed to do...the plan was originally for me to participate in all field training events this semester...but I got news yesterday night that plans might have changed.<br /><br />So, whatever...it's really no big deal. I've got plenty of field training coming up in a few months, heh.<br /><br />That's all I've got. Arabic homework and more database project stuff to do. <br /><br />Hooah.Spoticushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13983421088303788046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268518816466478250.post-51825844536583377102007-10-31T08:33:00.000-07:002007-10-31T08:43:58.187-07:00October APFTIt's been an awful week...<br /><br />I've had two major programs due in two different classes between yesterday and this afternoon...they've been sucking up all of my free time...<br /><br />To top it all off, I had an APFT this morning. I went to bed around midnight, crabby and ticked off because I was so frustrated with my program for today.<br /><br />I woke up expecting the worst. As it turns out, I should take more APFTs pissed off...I ended up 1 pushup short of a 300...if I had only been two years younger, I would have had it...<br /><br />Pushups : 74(gah!) up from 57.<br />Situps : 90(w00t!) up from 84.<br />2MileRun: 12:34 up from 12:28 (but my first lap/one mile time was under 6 minutes!)<br /><br />I found that the key to kicking butt on pushups is just to not stop...your first full set is what matters the most. I did 30 on the first test, 40 this time, so I'll shoot for 50 on the next one. <br /><br />Thanks to my APFT scores, I'm in a fairly good mood...despite the fact that in a little under 5 hours, I have to turn in a 100 point program that isn't going to completely work...<br /><br />Anyways, I just wanted to post my good/frustrating news...one friggin pushup...<br /><br />Hooah.Spoticushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13983421088303788046noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268518816466478250.post-78888819132375801332007-10-29T05:15:00.000-07:002007-10-29T05:28:06.083-07:00Military Appreciation DayThis weekend, two of my favorite things (Army and the marching band...) came together in a big way. At the football game this past Saturday, in addition to the normal Parents' Weekend festivities, the University thought it would be appropriate to hold a military appreciation day. Our ROTC battalion was at the heart of the festivities. We wore our ACUs and marched onto the field with the band for pregame and the Star Spangled Banner.<br /><br />The MS4s got us really into the game...we split up half-and-half in each endzone and did push-ups for points which the crowd seemed to really enjoy.<br /><br />At halftime, a few of the cadets helped the dance/flag line hold open a giant flag in front of the band, which got a stading ovation...very cool.<br /><br />Overall, it was a fantastic weekend...and unfortunately, the week itself is going to be atrocious...2 major programming projects due T/W respectively for Software Engineering and Database Management...Java and Perl...And I've got an SE test this Thursday in addition to the normal homework and whatnot.<br /><br />So, I'm gunna head out...No political rants...I'm overdue for one of those...<br /><br />Hooah.Spoticushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13983421088303788046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268518816466478250.post-17043565003424518862007-10-22T05:09:00.000-07:002007-10-22T05:49:12.869-07:00Birthday WeekendI just had one of the greatest weekends ever. Period.<br /><br />Ever year the marching band takes a trip to one away game. This year, it fell to a University a stone's throw from Chicago. What made this trip even better was the fact that it fell on the weekend smack dab before my birthday...which is today!<br /><br />The greatness really began on Friday morning. Because we weren't going to leave until 10:00am, I didn't have an excuse not to go to PT at 6:00, which if you know how much I love to run was actually ok with me. The route was the 6 mile trek that I screwed up the last time I led it, so I was a little nervous, but it really couldn't have gone better. We kept an 8 minute (or better) mile pace through almost the entire route, and by the end, I felt fantastic. After a quick breakfast, I through my weekend bag together, unplugged the video camera charger, and headed with my house mate over to the music building to wait for the buses.<br /><br />The ride was great. My house mate is the band's CEO and one of only three fifth year seniors in the group (myself included); he had previously warned that those wishing to sleep and/or study en route to our first performance (4-5 hour trip) really needed to grab a ride on the second bus because of the loud, obnoxious songs we were going to sing and the fantastically crude stories we were planning to share with the newer members. We stood by our warning. <br /><br />After checking into our hotel, we drove to a local high school to play with their band. This turned out to be the only truly disappointing part of the whole weekend. The students, both band and fan alike, were fairly rude to us and the atmosphere was fairly bland. In the end, it was the few who got into our cheers, jeers, and powerful half-time show made it worth while. The buses rolled into the hotel around 11:00pm or so after we left the game. I hit the pillow and was out.<br /><br />The next morning, we grabbed some breakfast and drove to the college game. It was a tiny stadium, and we dwarfed the home team's band which was more of a pep squad then a marching band (they didn't take the field, but they were pretty cool people. A few of us met with them after half time and they were incredibly gracious hosts). The energy was great. A boat load of our fans showed up to the game. The tiny stadium made cheering so much more fun because it was possible to get shouted messages back and forth across the field without any real problems. Our team ended up winning by quite a bit.<br /><br />After the game, the buses drove us into downtown Chicago. Our band announcer took all of the seniors to dinner as is tradition on the trip. We got authentic Chicago-style pizza and watched the Cleveland Indians get stomped in the sixth game of the ALCS. After dinner, most of us just walked around the city until the buses came back to get us.<br /><br />Sunday, we went back to Chicago. We spent the day on the Magnificent Mile and Navy Pier, shopping and walking. Chicago's just a neat city to be in for a while. It was cool having been there before because I could help figure out where we needed to go and all that good stuff. We left around 4:00pm. A quick stop at a flustered, but friendly Arby's filled us up at the halfway point. The last few hours of the bus trip made the initial trip pale in comparrison. Song after song...games...the whole back of the bus was glowing.<br /><br />Got in bed around midnight just in time to get a few text messages from my friends wishing my a happy birthday. PT was great this morning, but I'm going to really be draggin' my feet and smacking my face to try and stay awake...<br /><br />We're going to my favorite place to eat tonight...about as authentic as an Irish pub can get in middle America. Good times, good potato soup!<br /><br />Hooah.Spoticushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13983421088303788046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268518816466478250.post-26023026945639327332007-10-10T08:40:00.000-07:002007-10-10T08:49:52.627-07:00Fall BreakI'm going on Fall Break after classes today...but there's a football game on Saturday, so like any good marching band videographer, I've got to stick around campus. I'm actually very much looking forward to it. I was just very recently at home, and this will give me some much-needed, actual downtime (as much as I love being at home with my family, they, like me, hate to sit in one place for very long, so my breaks at home tend to fill up with activities very quickly).<br /><br />PT was excellent this morning. We had a nice long run. I led this morning without any significant incident, which was nice. One of our lieutenants, a graduate of the program, ran with us and offered some really good suggestions on marching and handling road guards.<br /><br />I've been spending more time on the Army Knowledge Online forums lately. It's a pretty cool place. Lots of interesting people talking about a whole lot of things...I've met some people who are supposed to be heading to Ft. Leonard Wood around the same time I do. It'd be great to at least know some names before I get there.<br /><br />Work's almost over, so I'm out.<br /><br />Hooah.Spoticushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13983421088303788046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268518816466478250.post-41152923284099541092007-10-08T05:25:00.000-07:002007-10-08T05:27:08.213-07:00Zonk!We got zonked at PT this morning...we showed up and went home. Excellent times...I've been sick for a few days, and a zonk is exactly what Dr. Spot ordered. <br /><br />Working on Arabic homework right now...when I finish, I suppose I'll look at the news and post s'more.<br /><br />Hooah.Spoticushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13983421088303788046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268518816466478250.post-12753564541885450122007-10-03T07:28:00.000-07:002007-10-03T07:39:40.836-07:00An Inconvenient BiasA judge in the UK has ruled that before secondary school students are shown Al Gore's Academy Award winning documentary, <em>An Inconvenient Truth</em>, they must first be informed of the film's "...inaccuracies, exaggerations and statements about global warming for which there is currently insufficient scientific evidence."<br /><br />This ruling comes just a few short months after then Education Secretary Alan Johnson announced that copies of the film and other global warming paraphenalia would be distributed to every secondary school in England. <br /><br />For those of you who would believe the debate on global climate change (and more importantly its cause) is over, here's evidence to the contrary. <br />And don't give me any of that, "This is a judiciary ruling, not science" garbage...Al Gore's no more of a scientist than this judge, and the judge looked at the same evidence as Mr. Gore, viewed the film, and came to an entirely different conclusion.<br /><br />Hooah.Spoticushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13983421088303788046noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268518816466478250.post-28112162180450158082007-10-03T07:11:00.000-07:002007-10-03T07:28:13.902-07:00Civl War II: This Time We Mean ItApparently there are still people who think their states would be better off if they <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071003/ap_on_re_us/secessionist_movement_1">seceeded</a> from the US. A Vermont secessionist group has been conducting talks with the League of the South (mostly comprised of Civil War vets, I hear...heh) to see if they can't bring some plans to fruition.<br /><br />I can't even begin to take this seriously.Spoticushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13983421088303788046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268518816466478250.post-24219584890119760882007-10-01T06:58:00.000-07:002007-10-01T06:59:42.122-07:00Yes yes yes yes yes...I'm not a terribly huge Radiohead fan, but <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2007/10/01/bcnradio101.xml">this</a> is exactly the direction the music industry needs to be turning...Spoticushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13983421088303788046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268518816466478250.post-36765265066892589192007-10-01T06:13:00.000-07:002007-10-08T05:29:09.968-07:00The Kingdom<img src="http://thecia.com.au/reviews/k/images/kingdom-poster-0.jpg" width="261" height="385" alt="The Kingdom" /><br /><br />One last post before I get back to work (awful awful week ahead).<br /><br />I saw <a href="http://imdb.com/title/tt0431197/"><em>The Kingdom</em></a> Saturday night with my youngest brother and a good friend. Fantastic movie. Anything you read about the movie's political stand point is irrelevant. I viewed it as more of a career advisement film, personally...<br /><br />It's split half-and-half thriller and action and the majority of both sides is very believeable.<br /><br />All the performances are spectacular, particularly those given by Jamie Foxx and Ashraf Barhorn the film's two male leads. <br /><br /><em>The Kingdom</em> gives a very down-to-earth look at how the West and Middle-East interact on both friendly terms and unfriendly terms, specifically how the Islamic way of living greatly conflicts with the Western understanding of the world.<br /><br />Brilliant film.<br />Hooah.Spoticushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13983421088303788046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268518816466478250.post-70789672509591135352007-10-01T06:11:00.000-07:002007-10-01T06:13:44.012-07:00PT Test from FridayI was very satisfied with my results from Friday:<br /><br />52 pushups<br />85 situps<br />12 min 28 (I swear it was 24) seconds<br /><br />Run was an improvement (eitherway), situps were consistent and maxed, and the pushups were down from the spring, but much higher than last winter, and I wasn't terribly beat after I had finished them, which means I'm capable of more.<br /><br />Max by December 15th is the goal for the semester...Here's to hoping I make it!Spoticushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13983421088303788046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268518816466478250.post-52762349499662689552007-10-01T06:07:00.000-07:002007-10-01T06:10:59.247-07:00Troubles in RunningSo last Wednesday, I really screwed up a run...crossing streets as a leader with a group of like 20 people is a lot tougher than I would have thought...I felt pretty stupid, but fortunately the MS4s are a lot more forgiving than any drill seargent will ever be. <br /><br />I was apprehensive about taking up the position again this morning, but I certainly wasn't going to turn it down. The route was much more manageable today, and in light of the situation last week, the cadet cadre opted for the use of road guards this morning, which was an enormous help. Other than a pacing problem, things went much much smoother, which made me very happy.<br /><br />Learn all I can now, so I'll be less likely to screw up later...not a bad philosophy.<br /><br />Hooah.Spoticushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13983421088303788046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8268518816466478250.post-57806781721271992492007-09-25T20:10:00.000-07:002007-09-25T20:19:56.295-07:00Lying to ChildrenRead this <a href="http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=57630">article</a> on a book that passes itself off as a guide to global warming for children...<br /><br />When I was in kindergarten, my class took a trip to the health museum where, while getting instructions how to brush our teeth properly, the woman from the museum said, "And be sure to wave goodbye to the water as it goes down the sink boys and girls because no one will ever see that water ever again because the earth's water was disappearing."<br /><br />I remember asking my father about that later in the evening; it's my earliest memory of the term "liberal nut" being used. He then explained to me how plumbing and water purification works, and how the level of water on the planet stays constant. <br /><br />I also remember holding up class for a good half an hour while I tried to explain to my teacher why the health-museum-lady was wrong. <br /><br />Needless to say, this story hit close to home. GET EDUCATED! FIGHT THE CHURCH OF GLOBAL WARMING!<br /><br />Hooah.<br /><br />PS: if you want to read a better blog then mine, head over to Chanman's blog, "Buckhorn Road," in my Friends section. I read about this book there.Spoticushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13983421088303788046noreply@blogger.com2