What is going on in the world? Are people so attention hungry that they would think that anyone with their name is associated with themselves? Apparently the wise Lindsay Lohan does. The actress has filed a lawsuit against the E*Trade Financial company over the content of one of their "baby" commericals. In the commerical in question, one female baby asks the male baby if "that milkaholic Lindsey is over?" Now Lohan and her legal team see this as reason enough to sue, most likely for charater defamation. Are you kidding me Lohan? If that was the case, I and every other Lance out there should have an equal share in more famous Lance's achievements. Yep, I should get royalties from Lance Bass' N*SYNC songs. I should get a cut of Lance Berkman and Lance Armstrong's endorsement deals and contracts. I should get a portion of Lance Burton's paycheck.
Now that sounds absurd obviously and for good reason. I have not done anything that these things that other people named Lance have done. So obviously, I should not get credit for these things. Using this simple logic it's pretty easy to see that if there is a fictional or real person that happens to share your first name, you should not be able to be associated with them. If there was a baby in that commerical named Lance, I highly doubt that there would be any sort of action, legal or otherwise, to say that that baby was associated or even was a representation of Lances. Now if the baby had been called Lindsey Lohan, that would be a different story.
Pretty short, very simple, extremely stupid situation
If Lohan by some chance happens to win this lawsuit, I will not stop making fun of her in pretty much everything I do. She deserves it, and so does every Lindsey out there (you're guilty too)
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Sorry for the hiatus & my new project "Uplink"
Sorry about the hiatus I have been on for the past 3 months. It has been quite hectic with finishing up school papers and helping plan for a wedding. And as usually, my fiance and I are very far behind on what needs to be done for our wedding, which is on May 22 (remember that date).
The main reason I am posting this blog is to let you guys and gals in on a project I have been working on. About a year and a half ago, a story popped into my mind about a world that is connected by a worldwide system called the "Uplink". This system is basically all of the technological conveniences we have today (ie: TV, DVDs. Xbox, internet, iPods, instant messaging, Twitter/Facebook) and putting them into a persons brain. So say you want to check on stocks or check your Facebook but dont have a computer or a fancy smart phone.This "Uplink" would allow the person to simply think about checking these things and BAM! the person can see the screen in their eyesight as if it was on a screen.Like with all types of technological systems, there needs to be routine updates to the system. In this case, people can plug themselves into a terminal and after a short download, will be up to date with the system. In this world, no one is allowed to be disconnected from this system, and it is near impossible (and very unpopular) for anyone to do so. Now granted, this is a somewhat futuristic setting, but it can be a possible future for our world.
The actual story follows a man who while receiving one of these updates, is somehow disconnected from the world. It follows him as he searches for answers, while he tries to evade the government authorities that are hunting him down, for he is seen as a defector and treasonous person.
So basically picture a melding of "The Matrix", "The Fugitive" and "The Bourne Identity" with a decent deal of biblical symbolism, because this is actually supposed to be an allegory for our lives as Christians and how we need to deal with being in the secular world but not being a part of it. Now, this is mainly directed at a male audience and believe me, it will be an action packed, globetrotting adventure.
Please leave feedback and let me know what you think about this endeavor. As of now, I have about the first four chapters outlined. But I do have the entire storyline down.
The main reason I am posting this blog is to let you guys and gals in on a project I have been working on. About a year and a half ago, a story popped into my mind about a world that is connected by a worldwide system called the "Uplink". This system is basically all of the technological conveniences we have today (ie: TV, DVDs. Xbox, internet, iPods, instant messaging, Twitter/Facebook) and putting them into a persons brain. So say you want to check on stocks or check your Facebook but dont have a computer or a fancy smart phone.This "Uplink" would allow the person to simply think about checking these things and BAM! the person can see the screen in their eyesight as if it was on a screen.Like with all types of technological systems, there needs to be routine updates to the system. In this case, people can plug themselves into a terminal and after a short download, will be up to date with the system. In this world, no one is allowed to be disconnected from this system, and it is near impossible (and very unpopular) for anyone to do so. Now granted, this is a somewhat futuristic setting, but it can be a possible future for our world.
The actual story follows a man who while receiving one of these updates, is somehow disconnected from the world. It follows him as he searches for answers, while he tries to evade the government authorities that are hunting him down, for he is seen as a defector and treasonous person.
So basically picture a melding of "The Matrix", "The Fugitive" and "The Bourne Identity" with a decent deal of biblical symbolism, because this is actually supposed to be an allegory for our lives as Christians and how we need to deal with being in the secular world but not being a part of it. Now, this is mainly directed at a male audience and believe me, it will be an action packed, globetrotting adventure.
Please leave feedback and let me know what you think about this endeavor. As of now, I have about the first four chapters outlined. But I do have the entire storyline down.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Top Ten Celebrity Heroes of 2009
With this year and decade coming to a close, I thought it was necessary to show who I believe is worthy of becoming a celebrity hero for this year. So here we go!!! *in Mario voice*
10. Adam Richman - Although the show Man v. Food premiered towards the tail end of 2008, I must say that I have been thoroughly obsessed with this show and this man pretty much all year. For those of you not in the know of this show, the host (Adam) travels to different cities and preforms different eating challenges. Such as devouring the 72oz steak at the Big Texan in Amarillo. Now, he does not always win, but the thrill of the challenge is more than enough to motivate me. Adam Richman, you sir are a hero.
9. Will.i.am - In June of this year, during an after-party for some crappy music award show, the famed member of the Black Eyed Peas allegedly assaulted celebrity blogger Perez Hilton. Now whether it was Will.i.am himself or his manager I'm pretty sure that everyone figured that Perez had it coming to him. If the allegations were false, Will.i.am did a good job of defending himself with a very tasteful blog entry. So in 2009, Will.i.am you are a hero.
8. Whoever figured out that Jon and Kate Plus 8 was a bad bad idea - I am not totally sure who finally decided that exposing 8 children to television cameras all day was probably detrimental to their development and social iterations, but I am glad they did. Maybe it was the bigwigs at TLC, or maybe it was just normal, rational people like me who thought that whole situation through. Whoever it was, you are a hero for canceling that show.
7. Rihanna - She put up with Chris Brown for long enough, even after he hit her. She's a heroine, maybe one that realized it too late, but still a heroine.
6.Usain Bolt - He's the fastest man alive. He's like a human Sonic the Hedgehog. Not only did he dominate at last year's Olympics, but he even obliterated his previous record. Usain, you are a hero
5. Lady Gaga - Anyone who can become this famous for mediocre songs and looking like something from Star Wars is definitely a hero. Honestly though how could this happen, she must have magic powers or something (she does dress like a bad superhero).
4. Lady Gaga's hairstylist and outfit coordinator - Even more so than Lady Gaga, her hairstylist and outfit coordinator deserve the most credit. This duo of bizarre and often plain horrifying hair and costume choices definitely helped her earn her fame in 2009, cause her songs surely didn't do it.
3. Taylor Swift - Dates another Taylor, has several hit songs, and was still a sweetheart after the Kanye incident. Taylor Swift has dominated, quite gently, this year. Although, when the Kanye fiasco happened, I would have liked to have seen her act like the before mentioned Will.i.am (I know I would have). Still her actions in 2009 have earned her the #3 spot on the list.
2. Sarah Palin - She looses the election with a dead-weight running mate and then looses her job as governor, all while dealing with a new grandchild and a son (Trig) who has down syndrome. Despite all of these seemingly huge setbacks, she has risen to the top of the Republican ranks by "going rouge". Her recent book sales can also attest to this fact. We probably will be seeing more of her in the next few years, possibly in 2010.
1. Glenn Beck - A lot of people love him, a lot of people hate him. But whatever the case no one can deny that Glenn certainly sticks to his convictions. This might be the reason why he has one of the highest rated news shows out there. Yes he is kooky, quirky, sentimental, and has bunches upon bunches of charts and conspiracy theories, the man believes in what he is saying. Also, he makes some very interesting arguments about how this country should be managed. Like Palin, I can certainly see Beck remaining a big mover and shaker in the news industry.
10. Adam Richman - Although the show Man v. Food premiered towards the tail end of 2008, I must say that I have been thoroughly obsessed with this show and this man pretty much all year. For those of you not in the know of this show, the host (Adam) travels to different cities and preforms different eating challenges. Such as devouring the 72oz steak at the Big Texan in Amarillo. Now, he does not always win, but the thrill of the challenge is more than enough to motivate me. Adam Richman, you sir are a hero.
9. Will.i.am - In June of this year, during an after-party for some crappy music award show, the famed member of the Black Eyed Peas allegedly assaulted celebrity blogger Perez Hilton. Now whether it was Will.i.am himself or his manager I'm pretty sure that everyone figured that Perez had it coming to him. If the allegations were false, Will.i.am did a good job of defending himself with a very tasteful blog entry. So in 2009, Will.i.am you are a hero.
8. Whoever figured out that Jon and Kate Plus 8 was a bad bad idea - I am not totally sure who finally decided that exposing 8 children to television cameras all day was probably detrimental to their development and social iterations, but I am glad they did. Maybe it was the bigwigs at TLC, or maybe it was just normal, rational people like me who thought that whole situation through. Whoever it was, you are a hero for canceling that show.
7. Rihanna - She put up with Chris Brown for long enough, even after he hit her. She's a heroine, maybe one that realized it too late, but still a heroine.
6.Usain Bolt - He's the fastest man alive. He's like a human Sonic the Hedgehog. Not only did he dominate at last year's Olympics, but he even obliterated his previous record. Usain, you are a hero
5. Lady Gaga - Anyone who can become this famous for mediocre songs and looking like something from Star Wars is definitely a hero. Honestly though how could this happen, she must have magic powers or something (she does dress like a bad superhero).
4. Lady Gaga's hairstylist and outfit coordinator - Even more so than Lady Gaga, her hairstylist and outfit coordinator deserve the most credit. This duo of bizarre and often plain horrifying hair and costume choices definitely helped her earn her fame in 2009, cause her songs surely didn't do it.
3. Taylor Swift - Dates another Taylor, has several hit songs, and was still a sweetheart after the Kanye incident. Taylor Swift has dominated, quite gently, this year. Although, when the Kanye fiasco happened, I would have liked to have seen her act like the before mentioned Will.i.am (I know I would have). Still her actions in 2009 have earned her the #3 spot on the list.
2. Sarah Palin - She looses the election with a dead-weight running mate and then looses her job as governor, all while dealing with a new grandchild and a son (Trig) who has down syndrome. Despite all of these seemingly huge setbacks, she has risen to the top of the Republican ranks by "going rouge". Her recent book sales can also attest to this fact. We probably will be seeing more of her in the next few years, possibly in 2010.
1. Glenn Beck - A lot of people love him, a lot of people hate him. But whatever the case no one can deny that Glenn certainly sticks to his convictions. This might be the reason why he has one of the highest rated news shows out there. Yes he is kooky, quirky, sentimental, and has bunches upon bunches of charts and conspiracy theories, the man believes in what he is saying. Also, he makes some very interesting arguments about how this country should be managed. Like Palin, I can certainly see Beck remaining a big mover and shaker in the news industry.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
It's been awhile, a long while...
Hey folks, sorry about the absence in the posts, finals and the post-semester wrap up were crazy as usual. But in my time away, several things have occurred in the world around us. Let me take a few moments to go over what stand out in my mind.
1. Have a Harry (Reid) Christmas America: As many now know the dreaded health care bill has been passed in the Senate with the help of what I believe is one of the most out of touch Congressmen (and Congresswomen, got to stay PC here) of this day and age. With some of the lowest approval ratings of the past 100 years and especially the lowest in the first year of any Congress, you would thing that some changes would occur. Either in the structure of the bill or in the personnel that are overseeing the committees. I would also think that since the reason these representatives have their jobs is because we (the citizens) voted them into office, they would want to do whatever it takes to keep their job. That probably means keeping these same people happy. Apparently either the Democrats, and a few Republicans don't care about public opinion, or they no longer want to keep their jobs.
2. Brittany Murphy: Now it is very sad that she died, probably from an overdose, but why did it have to be this young actress. It seems that 2009 is a cursed year if you're a celebrity, or somewhat celebrity. David Carradine, Michael Jackson, Jeremy Lusk (motocross rider), Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, Billy Mays, Steve McNair, DJAM, Patrick Swayze among more. All I'm asking is why couldn't someone that needed to perish in 2009 take one of these spots, like Michael Moore. I mean come on, look at him. If anyone looks like they are going to pass it's him and his 300lbs overweight, elastic wearing body. He's one of my predictions for heart attack in 2010. Not that I wish that on him or his family. But just being honest, he's fat.
3. Fox News (I know this is old news but it really grinds my gears): A couple of months ago there was this big outrage over the actual fairness of FoxNews. Now I will be the first to say that they are very conservative in their views and in their programing, but so is CNN and MSNBC. I mean come on, Chris Matthews is the pretty much exact opposite as Glenn Beck. Although, both are hilarious (for different reasons). So in short, yes Fox in my opinion is biased, and so is every other major news network, newspaper, and internet news source. I'll even be the first to admit that I am extremely biased (if you haven't noticed) and it doesn't really bother me. All it means is that we are all human and all have different ideas about things. Although some are right and others are...well not.
Have a Merry Harry Christmas
1. Have a Harry (Reid) Christmas America: As many now know the dreaded health care bill has been passed in the Senate with the help of what I believe is one of the most out of touch Congressmen (and Congresswomen, got to stay PC here) of this day and age. With some of the lowest approval ratings of the past 100 years and especially the lowest in the first year of any Congress, you would thing that some changes would occur. Either in the structure of the bill or in the personnel that are overseeing the committees. I would also think that since the reason these representatives have their jobs is because we (the citizens) voted them into office, they would want to do whatever it takes to keep their job. That probably means keeping these same people happy. Apparently either the Democrats, and a few Republicans don't care about public opinion, or they no longer want to keep their jobs.
2. Brittany Murphy: Now it is very sad that she died, probably from an overdose, but why did it have to be this young actress. It seems that 2009 is a cursed year if you're a celebrity, or somewhat celebrity. David Carradine, Michael Jackson, Jeremy Lusk (motocross rider), Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, Billy Mays, Steve McNair, DJAM, Patrick Swayze among more. All I'm asking is why couldn't someone that needed to perish in 2009 take one of these spots, like Michael Moore. I mean come on, look at him. If anyone looks like they are going to pass it's him and his 300lbs overweight, elastic wearing body. He's one of my predictions for heart attack in 2010. Not that I wish that on him or his family. But just being honest, he's fat.
3. Fox News (I know this is old news but it really grinds my gears): A couple of months ago there was this big outrage over the actual fairness of FoxNews. Now I will be the first to say that they are very conservative in their views and in their programing, but so is CNN and MSNBC. I mean come on, Chris Matthews is the pretty much exact opposite as Glenn Beck. Although, both are hilarious (for different reasons). So in short, yes Fox in my opinion is biased, and so is every other major news network, newspaper, and internet news source. I'll even be the first to admit that I am extremely biased (if you haven't noticed) and it doesn't really bother me. All it means is that we are all human and all have different ideas about things. Although some are right and others are...well not.
Have a Merry Harry Christmas
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Abortion = Viagra? (article linked)
With all of the hooplah over the ObamaCare and no real end in sight, the central issue has undoubtedly turned to that dreaded word....ABORTION. Big shock there right? In case you are out of the loop, the health care bill basically hinges upon the issue of whether or not universal abortions should or shouldn't be included. Now Senator Barbara Boxer being the wise woman she is said that not including abortion coverage is equivalent of denying men that have..well sexual issues... the prescription use of Viagra. Now something seems a bit off in that statement. Let us dissect this issue to see if we can see what's really going on here.
1. Abortion is NOT like Viagra. Crazy right? Abortion is a procedure to expel the life (yes I said life) of an unborn baby. Viagra is a pill to help increase performance with men who have lost that ability. Yeah I know it sounds like a really bad late night commercial, but it's the facts
2. Women who have abortions usually, and I highly stress usually, have no other reason for having it done than for their own selfish reasons. You know, the whole, "I want to have a life, and a baby will just complicate that whole deal" cop out. Viagra use is also not necessary for a man to have, but it also does something abortions don't, it doesn't really kill anything. In fact, it can actually be used to..oh I don't know...make a baby?
3. Now the libertarian in me also agrees that abortion issue needs to be left out of the government sector, and that it is a matter of personal consideration. But the Christian in me believes that the whole issue should be banned for good. Now I'm not one to push my beliefs on anyone, and is you have any issue with me on this please feel free to bring it up (just in a respectful way; if not than I will ignore it).
But the main cause of the issue is where does the life begin? Does it start at conception? When the brain develops? At birth? or in some really weird case, after birth? When the life begins and then that life is taken away it is basically murder. Cause really, what is the difference in killing someone who could potentially be quite a bother to you, and aborting an unborn child who could potentially be a bother, or could be a blessing.
All in all, if abortion seems like the only way out, it really isn't. There is this little thing called adoption. That is where parents who are unable to take care of a child give the child to parents who are more capable of taking care of it. It really needs to be more news about this out there in the media. Or....maybe have a free ADOPTION option for the health care bill (hey that rhymes).
And that's all I have to say about that
1. Abortion is NOT like Viagra. Crazy right? Abortion is a procedure to expel the life (yes I said life) of an unborn baby. Viagra is a pill to help increase performance with men who have lost that ability. Yeah I know it sounds like a really bad late night commercial, but it's the facts
2. Women who have abortions usually, and I highly stress usually, have no other reason for having it done than for their own selfish reasons. You know, the whole, "I want to have a life, and a baby will just complicate that whole deal" cop out. Viagra use is also not necessary for a man to have, but it also does something abortions don't, it doesn't really kill anything. In fact, it can actually be used to..oh I don't know...make a baby?
3. Now the libertarian in me also agrees that abortion issue needs to be left out of the government sector, and that it is a matter of personal consideration. But the Christian in me believes that the whole issue should be banned for good. Now I'm not one to push my beliefs on anyone, and is you have any issue with me on this please feel free to bring it up (just in a respectful way; if not than I will ignore it).
But the main cause of the issue is where does the life begin? Does it start at conception? When the brain develops? At birth? or in some really weird case, after birth? When the life begins and then that life is taken away it is basically murder. Cause really, what is the difference in killing someone who could potentially be quite a bother to you, and aborting an unborn child who could potentially be a bother, or could be a blessing.
All in all, if abortion seems like the only way out, it really isn't. There is this little thing called adoption. That is where parents who are unable to take care of a child give the child to parents who are more capable of taking care of it. It really needs to be more news about this out there in the media. Or....maybe have a free ADOPTION option for the health care bill (hey that rhymes).
And that's all I have to say about that
Monday, December 7, 2009
When you're Branson, space is just another market (article linked)
Space, the final frontier... or at least it is for several countries including the United States, China, Russia, Great Britain and most recently Richard Branson. You know the multi-billionaire founder of Virgin Records and all of it's ridiculous offspring. But, according to Reuters, Branson has pumped $450 mil into a fleet of six spaceships for commercial use. Now no one can really tell Branson what he can or can't spend his immense fortune on, but there has to something more beneficial to this world than that.
Don't get me wrong though, when I first read the article the little (actually huge) Star Wars nerd in me had a slight hyperventilation episode. But upon further reading, 200 grand for a 2 1/2 hour trip and the ever important 5 minutes of weightlessness seems a bit costly in this financially tight time. The only way I can really see this being a financially successful endeavor is if costs were cut drastically on the consumer side, and if it was used in a commercially successful market. The article does state that in the future, this type of travel could be used to cut down flight times in international flights.
Why couldn't this be the first use of this idea? It would be a strong boost to the economic situation, and given the current state of the airline industry, a spark that would hopefully reignite the industry. Also, the venture into the private sector that has already been established would probably be the best kind of proving ground for this new type of market.
Still, I hope this works out on all fronts and within the next twenty or so years we can be zipping around the galaxy, with my Wookiee companion by my side.
Don't get me wrong though, when I first read the article the little (actually huge) Star Wars nerd in me had a slight hyperventilation episode. But upon further reading, 200 grand for a 2 1/2 hour trip and the ever important 5 minutes of weightlessness seems a bit costly in this financially tight time. The only way I can really see this being a financially successful endeavor is if costs were cut drastically on the consumer side, and if it was used in a commercially successful market. The article does state that in the future, this type of travel could be used to cut down flight times in international flights.
Why couldn't this be the first use of this idea? It would be a strong boost to the economic situation, and given the current state of the airline industry, a spark that would hopefully reignite the industry. Also, the venture into the private sector that has already been established would probably be the best kind of proving ground for this new type of market.
Still, I hope this works out on all fronts and within the next twenty or so years we can be zipping around the galaxy, with my Wookiee companion by my side.
Friday, December 4, 2009
10 percent is still 10 out of every hundred (link to article)
"Unexpected drop in jobless rate sparks optimism"...really? From October to the start of December we as a state have gone from an UNEMPLOYMENT rate (very different from a "jobless" rate) of 10.2% to 10%. Now granted, this is a good sign of a recovery, but the main idea is that we are still at 10%. That's not a very good number. Obama was very pleased to announce that this .2% drop has been the best report since 2007. Now, I don't think that the drop really matches the overall scale of this situation.
The biggest real "job" creation is coming from... wait for it.... federal government jobs. WHY OH WHY!!!
Focus the efforts and "stimulus" money where is matters, in small and medium size businesses. Money that we don't really have. Money that we had to borrow. At least with a smarter investment in a sector with a chance to actually give a return on the borrowed money. The government's only real job in fixing the economy should be to only control the tax rate. REAL recovery should, and can only, come from the industrious, intelligent, and hard working citizens of this great state.
There also is a very nice little thing coming to a pocketbook near you this next year, wonder what it is? It's a cute little tax hike. Not only just an increase in taxes, but one of the LARGEST tax hikes in the history of this nation. Unemployment benefits are going to increase no doubt (along with other programs, most of which need to be overhauled). Wait...we are trying to get unemployment down, but unemployment benefits are going to increase. Where's the incentive to get off unemployment then? Why worry about working and creating real wealth for yourself and your family, when you can just mooch (yes it's essentially mooching) off of everyone else's wealth, which was probably going to be used for themselves and their families. It's basically legal theft and money laundering.
Now I live the the greatest state in the Union, Texas. We actually have been fairly responsible with our money and we aren't really in a big mess *cough California*.But I have a feeling that somehow it is our (Texas) and every other fiscally responsible state's fault that California, Detroit and the likes are...well...doing pretty terribly. And that we (Texas) and other fiscally responsible states will have to...wait..bail out (ah there's that sneaky word) these places, who just happened to overwhelmingly vote for Obama. Sounds fishy to me, then again I don't really trust thieves or mob bosses. It's kinda like Casino all over the states.
The biggest real "job" creation is coming from... wait for it.... federal government jobs. WHY OH WHY!!!
Focus the efforts and "stimulus" money where is matters, in small and medium size businesses. Money that we don't really have. Money that we had to borrow. At least with a smarter investment in a sector with a chance to actually give a return on the borrowed money. The government's only real job in fixing the economy should be to only control the tax rate. REAL recovery should, and can only, come from the industrious, intelligent, and hard working citizens of this great state.
There also is a very nice little thing coming to a pocketbook near you this next year, wonder what it is? It's a cute little tax hike. Not only just an increase in taxes, but one of the LARGEST tax hikes in the history of this nation. Unemployment benefits are going to increase no doubt (along with other programs, most of which need to be overhauled). Wait...we are trying to get unemployment down, but unemployment benefits are going to increase. Where's the incentive to get off unemployment then? Why worry about working and creating real wealth for yourself and your family, when you can just mooch (yes it's essentially mooching) off of everyone else's wealth, which was probably going to be used for themselves and their families. It's basically legal theft and money laundering.
Now I live the the greatest state in the Union, Texas. We actually have been fairly responsible with our money and we aren't really in a big mess *cough California*.But I have a feeling that somehow it is our (Texas) and every other fiscally responsible state's fault that California, Detroit and the likes are...well...doing pretty terribly. And that we (Texas) and other fiscally responsible states will have to...wait..bail out (ah there's that sneaky word) these places, who just happened to overwhelmingly vote for Obama. Sounds fishy to me, then again I don't really trust thieves or mob bosses. It's kinda like Casino all over the states.
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