The Earth-Toned Pill

I just read an article on CNN Money that discusses the pros and cons of making assistance available to the 'big three' auto manufacturers in the form of federal loans, and I have to say that the more I read or hear about this, the more physically ill I feel.

Maybe its just me, but I thought that being a free-market capitalist society meant that we practised neutral patterns of market regulation with only minimal governmental intervention?

I understand that the auto industry in general is truly integral to the national economy, and that tens of thousands of workers and millions of consumers either directly or indirectly depend on it for their individual economic stability... But does that mean we should allow these inefficient behemoths to keep operating as they are at the taxpayers' risk?

Truly, these businesses cannot be allowed to fail outright. But that is what chapter 11 bankruptcy is for... Allow these businesses to keep operating, but use the law to force them to shed weight, trim up and return to profitability. If GM, Ford or Chrysler eventually go under even after using the chapter 11 safety valve, then good bye and good riddance!

I admit that I would be devestated to be an employee let go after years of service in that industry. But instead of waiting for Michael Moore to show up on my doorstep so I can cry on camera and plead for my job back on a theater screen, why not take this as an opportunity to start fresh in a new industry? Maybe even take a chance and move somewhere else?

No, not everyone can easily do this, probably very few can or would do it at all. But to me, that is the big problem... Not the failure of the US auto industry, but the failure of US auto workers and consumers at large to see the writing on the wall for the status quo and force a change on the auto industry.

After all, these were the comapnies that continued to bring us such great vehicles like the H3 and Escalade long after it was clear that fuel prices were generally on the rise and the days of cheap, unlimited and easy-to-access oil were long gone.

Enough has already been said about the pros and cons of Barack Obama's politics, of the historic nature of this election, etcetera, etcetera, ad nauseum...

What I did want to take the time to do is to write about my personal thoughts regarding his ascendancy to the post of president of our country from the perspective of an amateur historian, former soldier and private citizen.

I think of myself as politically middle of the road, and my party affiliation is officially Libertarian in order for me to feel as though I am doing a small part towards breaking the current two-party gridlock that is strangling our country. I'm absolutely sick of the corporate-controlled, big-business, big-money party politics, and I can't stand that Nancy Pelosi and Ann Coulter seem to now be examples of mainstream standard bearers for both parties, whereas a few decades ago we used to call such people the 'kook fringe'.

I almost didn't vote this year, mainly because I am admitantly quite pessimistic about the direction of our nation, its politics, and (more importantly) our culture, and I felt as though neither candidate was a truly positive option for the country. Obama's agenda is unfortunately far too liberal for me, and I personally think he was elected by and large for the wrong reasons by a mostly uninformed electorate. McCain, on the other hand, showed a fundemental lack of understanding on the core issues such as the economy, and his decision making on such important topics like his running mate seem just plain erratic and strange. In the end, I fealt like the only real choices for people truly desiring change were Ralph Nader or Ron Paul, neither of which had the slightest chance from the beginning... (thanks in part to our completely biased and fundamentally flawed media system)

But something happened over the last few days. No, my core beliefs and theories haven't changed, but I started to buy into Barack Obama's call to the banner of CHANGE.

To make a long story short, I did vote for him and can count myself as one of the millions that did. But I did this not because I didn't want to actually vote my convictions and choose Nader or Paul, or because I felt like I was just throwing my vote away by not voting Obama or McCain; I voted Obama because, like all Americans, I am ready for a change and I need something to believe in despite the poor economic outlook, continuing wars abroad, threat of terrorism, etc...

I just want to believe that this really is one of those Kennedy-esque moments that comes barely once a lifetime where the American people demand true change and tangible reform, and I don't think I could live with myself if I wasn't a part of that massive, crashing wave.

You said what I needed to hear, Mr President-Elect, but what I need you to do now is to make good on your rhetoric.

I'm not expecting miracles, just please keep your campaign promise to be the true agent of change that we all so sorely need to see in our government and culture.

Good luck, President Obama.

No, its definitely not 53 degrees and snowing here in Orlando but it is still pretty chilly tonight by Florida standards. (I heard something about this being a record cold for this time of year for us)

The cold reminds me of my trip to Durango, Colorado earlier in the year with my parents, who were out there to look at property. The last night we were there, the sun had just dissapeared completely and it was snowing heavily when I decided to bundle up and take a walk outside and really enjoy my last real dose of snow, for at least the rest of this year.

We were staying near a golf course, so where I was walking it was rolling flat land completely covered by snow and surrounded by trees which were likewise caked in snow. What really sticks out in my head is the memory of standing out there in the middle of this pitch black golf course, kneeling down and listening to the sounds of wind winding around me with large amounts of gently falling snow constantly hitting me and the ground and me. I also remember being awe-struck by the view, even in the dark, of the unceasing sheet of snow falling, still quite visible even in such low light.

It was an amazing few minutes of edification that I hope I never forget.

Cate and I finally caught up with the rest of civilized humanity yesterday when we paid a visit to the Orlando IKEA store near the Mall at Millenia and Universal.

All I can say is... How on Earth could I have waited this long to go to IKEA?

Everything about this place was absolutely awesome, from the layout of the store to the company ethos, on down to the actual products themselves... It was like a housewares theme park, complete with Swedish-themed eatery along the end of the tour path.

Yes, for people new to the store they have what is basically a 'tour' laid out for you to follow that winds through each of the major organized theme areas, such as living rooms, bedrooms, etc.

By the time we made our way through the place, I probably had at least $8k plus worth of stuff I wanted to buy. Right then and there. And I don't like shopping for housewares, ever. So if you've never been to an IKEA before and you are blessed enough to live near one, please... For the love of God, go check it out!

Oh, and did I forget to tell you about the woman I saw going into IKEA with her husband and kids when Cate and I were leaving? Yeah... She was almost literally shaking, and saying 'I love IKEA so much!' several times as she walked in.

Apparently, I was just a little late getting my IKEA cool-aid.

Link: http://jackal111.deviantart.com/art/Highway-101573565

I've come to the realization that to become a better artist, I have to actually DRAW...

And paint. And create.

I've already known for a long time that you only get better by doing things, because in most cases, practice truly does make perfect. But for so many years, I've neglected my artistic talents and let my imagination become a stagnant nothingness that seems to delight in providing me only with artist's block when I need it most.

So in an effort to take a stand and make a change, I am going to pledge to myself that from here on, I will create at least one work of art a day.

And the digital painting you see above is my first step towards making this happen!

It doesn't matter if its big or small, polished masterpiece or scribbly sketchbook drawring (misspelling intentional), because all I care is that I am forcing myself to create and hopefully become creative again.

Maybe in the process I can get skilled enough to quit my day job too...

You never know, right?

My incessant trolling through Wikipedia recently led me to stumble on the entry for the term Annus mirabilis, which I had no prior knowledge of in relation to Albert Einstein.

The term itsself means something like wonderful year or miracle year, and is now widely associated with 1905; On that year, Albert Einstein published four articles now widely referred to as the Annus Mirabilis papers, which basically laid out the foundation for modern physics.

Yeah...

So this got me thinking... When was my annus miribalis? Have I even had one yet?

Certainly, the year where I got married was big. So too was the year I graduated high school and went into the army. I have nearly 31 years worth of events, some of which are huge. Bet when I really think about it, nothing comes close to making me call a year of my life a miracle or wonderful year. My years seem to be collections of good, bad and otherwise all rolled into one. And my artistic side likes to remind me that I haven't really even created anything I would consider a definitive or personally representative work of art that defines me as a distinctly unique human being and artist.

I know we each make our lives what they are, and so for me it's definitely a case of me not having created my own Annus mirabilis yet, the thing (or things) which for me will make it a truly wonderful year and leave my mark for future people to remember.

Ultimately, the historian and artist in me both clamor for recognition and identity, especially the kind that stands when I'm long gone and forgotten by family long since passed away that knew me.

I guess I need to get to work.

Tomorrow is the 'official' beginning of the Fantasy Fatball Competition between Sean and I, but today is my starting point for the elimination of fast food, processed foods and Coke. I had a pretty good weekend maxing out on all my favorite garbage, and last week in general was nothing but one long McDonalds farewell marathon. (Cate was beyond pissed when she saw bank charges on Friday for three Mickey D's meals in a single day...) In any event, the stage is set and Sean and I have established the conditions by which one of us will win this competition.

This is a winner-take-all competition, with the winner being the person with the highest number of points on April 1st. Points will be awarded in four categories:

1. 2 Points for most total pounds lost
2. 1 Point for most improved bad cholesterol
3. 1 Point for most total HealthMiles
4. 1 Point for most improved body fat

For an idea of where I'm starting at, here are my basic health stats as officially recorded at work:

Weight: 271.2 lbs
BMI: 34.8
Body Fat: 28%
Blood Pressure: 135/78

Yeah. Ouch.

In addition to my body almost being one third of just fat, I have insanely high blood pressure and a BMI in the 'obese' zone. With that said, I'm trying to look on the positive side. Like, me being fatter gives me more of an opportunity to lose weight... Look, I know its BS, but it justifies it somewhat, right?

Anyway, I'm really trying to get in the mindset of eating healthy and avoiding the bad things I know I should be avoiding. If I can stick to that, it will be as good a start as I can ask for and I should be well on my way to keeping up with Dr. Raines. I may not be as disciplined as Sean on the diet front, but if I can come close, I can put myself in range to use my secret power: MILITARY STUPIDITY! This power will enable me to work out until my body physically can't anymore, which usually results in me either passing out or throwing up. Either way, in 6 months I go from this:

(I'm the jackass with the humungoid gut on the left...)

To THIS:

Hell Yeah.

This upcoming weight loss contest is beginning to scare me... Really. Sean came by to show me a text from his wife in which she wrote something to the effect of: "So is the gym the 'Fattledome' now?"

An image suddenly burned itself in my head:

All that seems to be missing is a younger version of Mel Gibson and a midget riding the back of a huge half-wit gladiator.

Yes, as scary as this is becoming, come Monday the gym will be my fattledome...