Haven't Posted in a long While

So it is October. I haven't posted anything in a long time. Oh well, sue me.

This year I was super pumped about Bonnaroo and then the flood happened and I was so busy that I had to give my ticket away. Then, I had tickets to see Sir Paul McCartney, and I had to work again so my dad went in my stead. Now that we have a family vacation all planned to ride in east Tennessee, I receive a call needing me to consult in Illinois. Thank God that I have great co-workers that are going to go in my place so that I can finally have a little Daniel fun (Not that I'm not grateful for good work).

My 8 year anniversary was yesterday and I have to say that I love my wife more now than ever before. The last 8 haven't been the easiest years, and I've had to compromise a lot (Bridgette and Annabeth are in private Christian school where Renee is a preschool teacher), but I am a much better man for it. Looking back over the last 8 years I now know what it means to grow together, as opposed to drifting apart.

Through life you will always change, but with the kind of love that Renee and I have you can choose to change so that you're closer with your lover. I can tell Renee that she's being a total crazy bitch, and if she knows that I'm serious, she'll actually think about that and try to calm down. She can tell me that I'm acting like an sour old man that doesn't know how to have fun, and I will actually stop and consider the fact that I might be acting unreasonable. It takes a special kind of relationship to make you lean on another person to help you to be better. Renee tells me that I'm fat, and I tell her if a pair of pants makes her butt look big. It's just life and we both know that we love each other so we try to accept the truth.

And I think that our love has a very positive effect on our children. Our girls are confident, funny, silly, active, outgoing, considerate, emotional, positive people. They are smart and we treat them with respect and honesty. I can almost talk to Bridgette like a grown up and she'll listen and do her best. I tell them that Daddy's not perfect but that I've been around a lot longer then they have and I'm doing my best.

Along with Renee they are the #1 priority in my life. 8 years ago Renee and I got married and it was the singular best thing that ever happened to me. Through that single act I moved out on my own, kept a job, had children, and in the end became a better man. She loved me through stupid times when I acted like a fool, she had enough faith in me to let me be the father of her children, and she forgives me daily for my short falls instead of exploiting them.

I sure do love that woman.

Side note:

Confessions - I like the Dave Matthews Band. Seaweed salad is good. When I have sex, every time isn't earth shattering. I still have lots of penned up angst even though I'm nearly 30. I miss spending time with Derek now that we're grown. I really do love my job. I don't have as much money in the bank as I always thought that I would at 30. I don't listen to metal much anymore. I'm overweight. I love America but sure do hate some Americans. And this is the big one..........I'm a little disappointed with Obama - oh well sure beat the alternative.

Evolution

On November 24, 1859 Charles Darwin first published "On the Origin of Species." It first introduced the theory that populations evolve through a process known as natural selection. Natural Selection in layman's terms is reproduction of the fittest. Over the next 150 years this book has become the cornerstone for the science of biology today.

I feel I should probably define science as I am referring to it above. Science: The systematic study of any phenomena with the purpose of creating a correct repeatable prediction, usually through use of the scientific method (Question, Research, Hypothesis, Experiment, Conclusion, Communication). In other words,

1.What happens if I throw a ball in the air?

2.History shows that it will fall to the ground.

3.My guess is that when I throw a ball into the air it will fall to the ground.

4.I do my experiment.

5.The conclusion is that the ball fell to the ground.

6.Then I should call all my friends and tell them what just happened.

Now, for anyone that doesn't know, natural selection has been one of the best examples of predictive science that the world has ever known. Our genetic research has confirmed its predictions, our radiocarbon dating has confirmed its predictions, and our psychology has confirmed its predictions, just to name a few. In fact every realm of natural science involves evolution on some level; geology, oceanography, astronomy, meteorology, biology, psychology, radiography, biophysics, chemistry, etc.

Now I get to the point of this post.

The overarching theory of natural selection modifying the characteristics of a population over time is called evolution.

Evolution is a Fact.

And just for those of you out there that may want to argue the point now I will define the word fact. Fact: something that has been tested or observed so many times that there is no longer a compelling reason to keep testing or looking for examples "ex: you can make electricity by turning a magnet inside a coil of wire". This is in contrast to the other definition which is a verifiable observation (ex: "the pen is on the desk").

And just to drive the point home, natural selection is a fact (verifiable observation) the same way that the earth is round.

We have to educate in order to overcome our ignorances. There was a time when people thought that the earth was 6000 years old and flat. I urge you to teach evolution to your children, it won't condemn them to Hell, in fact it might save our planet. And if you don't know how to, read this book.

Release the Hounds

Today I plan to release the Hounds. I am going to invite anyone interested on facebook to start reading this blog.

This should be interesting.

I believe that it's time to muddy the waters.

Political Accountablility

In the past it was much easier to hold your local political leaders accountable for their actions, than to be properly informed about national policies and political leaders motivations. For example, the local news paper might be a persons only news source for federal policy changes. Where as, your great grandfather might have rode to town for a meeting with the Mayor concerning city ordinances or tax changes. At that meeting he would have gotten many viewpoints from the townspeople at that meeting and he would have been able to make a better informed decision about his personal stance on an issue. So, back then I would have been very much in favor of states rights vs. large federal government.

I suppose that I should mention that this type of political involvement is seldom seen today. While The Tennessean still reports on national debates and local controversy, we now have an overwhelming number of "news" sources, as well as "opinion" sources. Our national leaders are under a much larger microscope than our local aldermen and Mayors. I wonder how many people know the name of the Mayor of Portland and White House (Ken Wilber and John Decker respectively). BTW, I had to look it up. Do you think that there character has been put through the same rigorous testing that President Obama's has? Which position is under the highest scrutiny from news and opinion organizations?

My point is this: In the information age; with Twitter, Blogging, 14,000 cable news channels, and everyone with there opinions, let us all make sure that we get the facts before muddying the water. Don't spread rumors just because you heard it on Glenn Beck. Let us all separate fact from fiction the best that we can. And Also, know that everyone that can sell an advertisement is watching our federal government (not our local government), looking for a skeleton to make a story out of. I'm not saying to put up your blinders, I'm just saying consider the source. If you get your news from John Stuart, Steven Colbert, Glenn Beck, Bill O'Reilly, or anyone else trying to make a buck; you might want to reconsider the "Facts" that you are hearing.

I have no issue with idealogical differences, it's how democracy works. If the American people didn't vote in a Democratic President and a super majority congress then health care reform would not have passed. It is a fact that the American people wanted this law, whether it is a good idea or not. The same way that they voted in a Republican President and Congress a few years ago, meaning that they wanted a war in Iraq and Afghanistan (no matter what the fiscal cost). I have an issue with some Americans that I see who are blindly following their television leadership, and being manipulated to anger and in some cases bigotry/racism - when in fact, they (most likely) don't even know which political party there Mayor is a part of.

CHCHCHCHCHChanges!

Thought #1

You know, whether it's a volcano releasing pressure from the center of the earth, a new baby being born (You've all either seen a video or been in the room!!!!), or something less significant like applying for a new job; Change makes us uncomfortable! That's why its called change. You have to break a few eggs to make an omelet.

Thought #2

Somebody, somewhere, said "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". - BUT - What if it is broke? What if it hasn't worked in a couple of years?

Thought #3

I value my family first and foremost. That's a pretty easy priority to have in line. And anything, AN-Y-THING, that's going to jeopardize our happy little future has to be repaired. I don't care if it pisses off the Pope. I think that anyone would feel the same.

Conclusion

Sometimes people get too comfortable; and ,by no fault of there own, they jeopardize the future of not only themselves, but everyone around them that they respect. And some good old fashion uncomfortable change is just what the doctor ordered. If they knew all the facts, they would volunteer to help, anyway that they could. And if they wouldn't help, we wouldn't want them around anyhow.

You might be comfortable digging with a spoon, but if you're job depends on you digging a river, its time to invest in a backhoe!!!!!!!

You gotta be smarter than the tools that you're workin' with.

One of My Favorite Pictures

Enough Said

I read the first few chapters of this book and it really got me thinking about our personal realities. Some of us are consumed with some quest because God needs us to serve some purpose, some of us are trying to raise our family and make good decisions along the way, and some are just trying to find enough food to eat for survival.

You know it really isn't very convenient that our world seems to be warming because of mankind. Some people choose to deny that it's even a possibility (despite some pretty convincing proof). I was beginning to get on the no genetically altered food kick, but Mr. Specter made me rethink that in the name of common sense. Some people don't support the model for evolution, and I guess that some people really don't believe that the holocaust really happened either.

Denialism really does influence our education structure as much, if not more than science, or religion for that matter.

I recommend this book to anyone who really has never considered the effects of close-mindedness; however, as with anything you read, proceed with a healthy amount of skepticism. After all I don't expect that Mr. Specter would want anything else.

Feeling Betrayed

I had an event today that got me thinking about how you feel when someone screws you over. You know that feeling that somebody got one over on you and you lost and they won. But then I was thinking about if it (the breaking it off in you) is intensional or not.

How many people out there have really been screwed over by someone else? Was it really intensional or were they just taking care of number 1 (themselves)? And you get the opportunity to play the victim.

How many times have you screwed somebody over and not even realized it? I know that I make decisions everyday and there is no way possible that I can think about how they effect everyone involved. I try to consider everyone but how many times do people feel like I've taken a dump on them, just because they got the short end of the stick?

I guess that every time I do get chewed out in my life, if I deserve it or not; I should just chalk it up as "I guess I just had that one a'comin" because of all the times I did deserve it and I didn't get it.

Or maybe people should just toughen up and not feel so victimized all the time........I know that I could use a reminder every now and then. It's not always about me.

Explanation

For a very long time I've surrounded myself with very strong willed people. My wife, My sister, My best friends. And I've been thinking that it would be both therapeutic and interesting to start a blog where I could be totally honest about the things that affect me.

When I was younger, I was much more aggressive about things. I showed my ignorance more than once because of it. I want to find that same confrontational self only channel that into something much more constructive. I thought that Facebook would be that for us, but after about 4 hours on there you realize the kind of people that your "friends" are.

This should be a place where open constructive conversations can begin about the very core values that make me who I am. I've titled this blog The Real Me (for those who care), because I have no delusions that anyone is really reading this thing. And if you are going to read it, please be respectful enough not to judge me too harsh for what I write. That vulnerability is, after all, what this blog is about.

One day I would like my children to be able to read this blog and know exactly who and why there father was.