Do you believe that people can change?

Yes I do really. Just not always with the immediacy we’re expecting and some people really don’t change at all. It's kind of why I call myself an adaptive realist. Anyway, Some people get set or comfortable in their routine because it’s what they have developed from consist experience and to do anything different is an uncomfortable change (and you know how much people like visible change. *sarcasm*). Yet-those unchanging special cases aside- with patience and a bit of tolerence a person can observe people changing all the time. It’s called aging, growth, health, changing environment or social circles, or anything that normally shapes us over time in behavior.

As a person lives life how they experience it and continue to learn from it, they contine to change. This overtime change creates a natural hypocrisy. Anything we say or believe now, if we learn from a change or new experience, we may decide to do differently. As a result, we contradict our earlier beliefs and actions. Change is inevitable if we are learning. Hypocrisy is inevitable because of change but in a frustrating but healthy way.

It’s when we choose to stop learning and stop understanding that we grow too comfortable in our ways and take a standard or assuming approach to a changing world, that we fall into a unhealthy hypocrisy. We see and want the benefits of a natural change but do actions the opposite of what would support those benefits being created. That hypocrisy breeds unhealthy conflict when we choose to stop learning, stop seeking understanding, and grow too comfortable in our current ways. We stop changing. Pride in our knowledge takes over instead of wisdom through constant improvement of application. We lose the opportunity and benefits of wisdom- The application of better understanding that brings benefits.

So do people change? Yes they do, but you have to stick around to see it and that takes patience and some tolerance for the difficult moments. A lot of people dont have that patience so they may believe change to be impossible but “As iron sharpens iron so does one person to another.”

It takes a lot of time and energy for some people to change. Sometimes apart and we miss seeing the change but that may be necessary for some cases willing to learn. My disclaimer is– again–that not all people change though. To say they all do would be standardizing the human condition. Something life won’t let you do–but people will try to standardize. I know I've changed though and that's all I can account for...I constantly put myself under construction as are we all.

Pardon any grammar mistakes. Feel free to message me any changes. I'm working on that.

A smoking gun in the non-smoking section

So my Alma Mater  put out a study looking at the relationship between issued Concealed Handgun Licenses and crime rate. The verdict? No effect at all. The result of the study, as I understood, implies that the mass ownership of guns does not entirely affect the rate of which crime happens. At the same time, CHLs are part of policy and thus challenge the effectiveness of current gun laws. This had me curious in light of the recent shooting in Oregon, Chicago crime rate, and ongoing gun control debates.

It is clear that something has to be done but what my mind toggles with is more the question of what kind of policy change and what kind of community change must happen (most likely both simultaneous) to effectively reduce or respond quickly to such incidents as the past few church and school shootings. Prior to this blog, I’ve had many discussions about gun rights, gun laws, and related topics with both sides of the fence. Both, have their points and relative narrow views but there seems to be something missing more than the obvious problem of refusing to see eye to eye on an issue.

I don’t own a gun but I do understand the right to do so, which requires a great deal of accountability, self control, education, and respect. I also kind of believe that some people have the capacity to own a gun and others not so much but will obtain one anyway but that raises the question of how do we determine who should? I’ve played devil’s advocate to both extremes just to test the arguments and ideas. It has been most interesting. In the end, I keep finding myself at the same idea saying all we can do is “prepare for the idiot in the room.” which my mother hates hearing from me.

I think about my recent trip to Germany where I learned that you can still own a gun but few do and the process is very cumbersome (understandably) and also requires an annual psych evaluation (which I support). I search that for possible applications. It’s a very different mindset in Germany compared to the U.S. Anyway, I’m really trying to find a multi-layered solution rather than the redundant typical approach of one sided and one note solutions rushed out that repeatedly seem to fail and become repetitive rhetoric.

Hmm what to do? What fits best? How to get people relatively on similar pages despite different circumstances.

At the same time–I’m looking at the nature of the beast that inspires these shootings and that hits close to home for me and seems like the source of all this.

What are your thoughts and solutions? Do they incorporate elements from the different perspectives respectfully?

We're similar but different. Accept it, get over it, and make the most of it.

As a concept, I'm the type who prefers to have a team consisting of a thief, a Samaritan, a hard worker, a slacker, male, female, all of the above, strangely competing faiths, difference cultures, a cat, a dog, a duck, and random rock for a team than a group of like minded copies. I can change if the situation requires but that's just my preference. Yes, they will probably clash and offend each other from time to time, due to differences, but as long as they're respectful in coexistence, then I'm cool.Thick skins, equanimity, and patience is a requirement. Otherwise, you have high ideals about coexistence especially if you believe all have the right to an opinion (ever changing with the wind).

So show me who you are as of today so that I know what and who I'm dealing with today because I'm not going to assume about you because we all have something to offer. I expect people to change in their own ways with time and experiences so why not make the most of it and figure out how to make the pieces work Differences tap into capacity, while similarities tap more the momentum or force behind progress. I like capacity; it creates potential. If you can get differences to get on the same page then lets throw a party because watch the magic happen. . Plus, the differences usually acts as checks and balances---headaches when they occur--but checks and balances. The latter assuming someone doesn't get to carried away--then that is when standards come in. Respect and responsibility; Those are what I care about more.

To want or not to want? Just admit you're interested.

I have noticed that an exceptionally large number of people are quick to validate themselves, advocate against, and become defensive against things (that their actions suggest otherwise) they are interested in having or experiencing. A lot of this is probably due to stigma, fear, or societal pressure for norms. It's a strange form of hypocrisy we all bare. People, in my opinion, should just admit and embrace that they have interest, desires, goals that conflict with other interest or with current actions. Doing the latter, provides relief to the brain because we live with strict palettes or taste in some things and wide palettes for other things. This is called being human. What am I talking about? I'll give you the following examples:

Examples 1:If you are interested in eating something but it conflicts with your health goals. Don't demonize your interest saying, "I would never eat that because it's not healthy!" when you know part of you wants to try it or has a irrational hunger for it. Why lie? it's easier to just say, "I know this food is not healthy and I want to eat it, but I have other goals that conflict with eating it. I really want to reach that goal--so no." It's a humility that brings peace of mind and clarity to a healthy and normal contradiction of living in this world.

Example 2: You want a relationship or something a product of it but you rebuke the interest like a federal offense because of pressures of the world. Don't discredit someone advocating else for having it or wanting you to have it (especially if you have interest in it at some point in the future) if they ask you about it now days. Unless you truly don't want a relationship (ever [subject to change with time]), wouldn't it just be easier to admit that you are interested in it (and it may or may not happen) but just not at this moment or you don't see anyone that inspires you to want to go down that path yet. At the same time, those pressuring probably should ease up and let the cards fall where they may with a few suggestions only as needed. People are stubborn here on both sides.

Instead, we have the singles club activist and the relationship advocates fighting with each other over something that isn't bad, not exactly for everyone, or not on the same schedule. We vary as people and that is a fact of life. We are similar but different. Why fight about that? Just be truthful of the broadness of our lifestyles (even if not concrete) instead of slapping each other with our strong bias or personal experienced expertise. I mean, we can speak to each other why it works for us (and they may take interest or not) but we should not spend a whole lot of time shouting at each other over sides.

The habit of picking sides makes enemies we don't need and a lot of unnecessary,speaking only from my own experiences. It's better to be honest with ourselves about ourselves and understand that we have contradictions and we should not deny them. Humility goes a long way. I can talk about many more things we deny to ourselves that we want or are interested in but this is enough.

Anyway, this is all brain chatter. I see good people bump heads in a strange form of denial unidentified by our natural hypocrisy---life.

A life to a life. Is it a discussion or a pissing contest?

I stand by my words when I say, "If you want to see the maturity of a person, then observe how they handle information."  You will learn quickly the current capacity of that person and a bit more. When we talk to each other (no matter the level of communication) we are only communicating the information and experiences we know up to that point. We are presenting only a part of the overall spectrum as an individual. So discussion --to me--is like doing an active version of putting together a giant puzzle rather than a battle ground of good vs evil or right versus wrong. Discussion requires an attentive and leveled mindset geared towards putting the pieces or parts together. A lot of metaphors? I know, but bare with me.

Information is more powerful than money and like nuclear energy in the hands of the average individual. It takes a good understanding and level of self-control to establish a wisdom that makes something useful and good with information. Otherwise, it just creates extensive problems. Yet, I hear people say, "We are in discussion", or (and my favorite) "we need to have these discussions." regarding serious matters. It's a funny thing to me when you see how people handle information on the day to day and make these discussions futile. I fall into this as well at times when I don't pay attention. What do I mean? When we present our current knowledge, we often speak from a personalized standard expectation or idealistic image of others. At the same time, we talk as if we know people are variable but seldom do we truly embrace that idea that not everyone is like us or like the ideals and expectations in our head. That with variability,we all have varying strengths and limitations to who we are and what we know as an individual. Instead, we present our understandings and project them or ourselves on to others and often condescension and further offense ensues for our strength and opinions as we begin to speak more led by our passion and deviate from the structure of a actual discussion. At this point, we've lost self-control and are more hazardous to ever gaining anything. When this becomes a possibility, we must turn conscious and tap the brakes on ourselves a bit.

While exchanging our understandings with hopes for clarity and resources, sometimes what we know (in our individual scope and limitation) gets the best of us and we stop becoming receptive to information. Our goal shouldn't be to conquer and insult the other. To hold a discussion, you have to have self-control. Otherwise, we easily slip into giant pissing contest and trying to play king of the hill and kick down the next person for different ideas and methods. We have to not only be mindful towards and police the person across from us but conscious and mindful of ourselves. People can get the best of us and we ourselves can definitely get the best of us or counter what we intend to do.

Our intents can be wonderful and inspirational but people have a funny way of doing the right thing the wrong way. Leading influences for derailed efforts are normally ego, emotions, bad tact, and lack of knowledge or experience. An example is when we get carried away by how we feel or our emotions tugged at in a conversation. I'm not denouncing emotions or feelings, they do have their place in discussions but they too require checks and balances. If one isn't careful, they get carried away and are more destructive to the discussion doing things such as insulting, degrading, becoming overbearing, excessive in blaming, and--in the worst cases--they just give up and walk away or run the other off the table (carried off by emotion). What stands to be gained there? I learned that from a gunny. It's bad enough that (in the harder discussions) often people are quick to look for an escape. Any type of escape they can find such as a name, the tiniest detail to change subjects, or blatant distraction. To someone aiming for progress--It's like fishing or talking someone off a ledge. I sincerely hope this changes. There is much to be gained. For all the good I hear people protest for, advocate for, and dream of--I hope they grasp the fundamental concept of the importance of maintaining a steady exchange with the person across from them rather than invalidate them and taking swings. It's important to understand the person across from us and what we both put on the table to see what we truly have in our hands to use and deal with rather then operating off one piece of a puzzle. At the end of the day, I do expect people to be human but my optimism towards developed wisdom lives as I occasionally come across people who do and can hold a useful exchange. We will agree, agree to disagree, or disagree but we will have something useful out of our exchange.

Discussions are eye level. Any other height would mean we are talking down to someone or talking to ourselves. 

It's important to understand the person across from us. Well, at least to me. We must be ourselves but mindful of those we hope to learn from or educate. We present a piece of a larger puzzle to each other everyday and that is a gift regardless of how it is wrapped or delivered. Make the most of it.
Oh, and telling someone "they'll never understand"---does not help either. It kind of defeats the purpose and any chance of progress.

LEARN FEST BEGINS--AGAIN! Enlighten or fade away!

There is a lot for me to say for what is going on right now, but I'll try my best to keep this short.

Three weeks ago, marks the beginning of my yearly learning binge. I find myself almost at my happiest when this time comes around. I try to learn new things, challenge everything, deconstruct what I know, re-learn and re-think things all as a means to update myself for personal growth never wanting a closed mind. It's no hidden secret that I'm always seeking to do things better whether it be work or just at being a person in general. Fortunately this keeps up with this years theme (My annual substitution for a new years resolution) of "Mobility and maintenance."

Did I use those quotations right? I don't know. I'm revisiting grammar as well. There was a time where I wrote a lot of poetry and prose and stories from the imagination. You could say that the workforce and being forced to write investigations and reports have oppressed such a talent and maybe even crippled it. Books such as Elements of Style and Comma Sense have been very useful in my relearning.

Added to my learning binge is my more aggressive pursuit to improve on my Spanish and close the gap. The gap is that I can hear it and understand a good bit of conversational spanish, but can't exactly speak it that well. This would definitely come in handy on my job in public health and at a lot social events I find myself engaging. As practice I use pimsleur audio and hold the occassional conversation with coworkers willing to correct and teach me. I've also been reading and taking pointers from the book titled Fluent Forever.  Here is to goals!

For leisure I am reading the The Martian. Books containing witty characters never bore me as does the many ways one can tell a story of being resourceful in a troubling situation. I encourage you to read it. As a matter of fact, read it before the Matt Damon led movie comes out soon. For comparison? Hell no--that makes many a judgemental prick destroying the movie experience that runs on different rules. Don't read with intents of later comparison but more for the enriching of the experience. Little added treasure details.

For the more physical part of my life I have been doing a little bit of the following; Weight lifting, parkour, yoga, Arnis, running, meditating, and a little dancing. Yes I do dance speaking as a former B-boy (but I can't say former because--lets be honest-- I still got it).

I've also been  in intense assessment, research, and thinking on some things but that is for another blog. I've ranted enough and am signing off. I hope to eventually start adding pictures and video as a peek into my progress. A lot is happening in my life and thoughts so stick around. Have a good night or day reader! Live long and kick butt.

A return to the blog world

Yes, I have returned to the blog world, more for my own learning and development. Maybe it can benefit someone else but I use this tool with myself in mind for my own strengths and weaknesses. Weaknesses are not bad. Weaknesses are just great things on pending development.

 I am writing this blog in hopes to sort my thoughts and experiences and make the most of them. I always aim to "Know thyself" while embracing that "all I know, is that I know nothing" and it drives me to learn more, but I am a learning addict with a thirst to understand. The latter drives me to take on the convenient and the inconvenient with "rolled sleeves" whether agreeable or disagreeable to those around me.

 From my starts as a naive optimistic charitable kid with a target on his back, to a adaptive realist as a means of survival and progress-- I have always wanted to do better and it pushes me towards self-mastery in hopes to better serve my purpose in quality of life. Though my methods can get strange and my experiences less than common to where I am, this is just the world in my observation and the questions I have in mind.

I've explored many rabbit holes and have difficulty explaining what I find. Maybe, with time and practice, I may get it right. At some point, I used to think that something was wrong with the limbic region of my brain influential to motivation, emotion, learning, and memory. I know what I experienced but could never articulate it--heck, often I still can not articulate what I know. I wasn't the fastest kid mentally but with time, changing methods, and consistent practice I developed a faster but not perfect process. We'll see...

Next Blog: The rules of the adaptive realist (applied to myself)

You Say Tomato I Say Tomatoe….Forget What It’s Called! Just Don’t Drink the D**** Bottle!!!

So as I do this blog with Smoothie King in hand (Mango flavored …if you’re curious) I’m challenged with the ever unusual but possibly profound thought.

As I perused Facebook in my efforts to thwart the load of task that await me I see this….

(CENSORED) “is wondering… if tomatoes are a fruit, isn’t ketchup technically a smooothie??? LMAO!”

this seems profound in thought………..yet very hypertensive……..oddly I had an urge for a bloody mary at the time……….don’t judge.

I spent many a days as child pondering what family this edible creation belonged to. Was it a vegetable as we often assumed? or was a ….dare I ponder it…..a FRUIT!? (insert dramatic music here)

I mean it always made its way to many vegetable oriented sites….usually hand in hand with lettuce……….but to consider it a citrus affiliate? did that mean that a fruit had snuck its way onto our burgers…tacos….QUESO!?….I mean is it too a mischievous fruit like the pineapple who assaulted our pizzas and then used affirmative action to solidify its existence by race calling the pizza Hawaiian.

Though it tis true it is still oddly hard to fathom due to childhood because for many years most of us thought it to be vegetable………Had VEGGIE TALES lied to us all these years!?!?……were the really FRUITY TALES……..hmmmm (adjust tie) but anyway …back to the point.

Of course I’m sure someone is thinking NAAA what about V8 juices………….I won’t get into the politics…..plus I don’t like when my vegetables have numbers in them…but remember it says JUICES…..this feels contradictory to me now. >_< but law so has it that we tend to call it veggies at time….but is this just a massive government conspiracy……….who knows….maybe the government will shut my site down for the exposure of such precious information…so I’ll digress from this…

but is ketchup technically a smoothie? possibly …sprinkle some protein powder maybe……..freeze it….add some ice and sugar…………..naaaa that just be nasty…..but give it to Mikey he’ll eat anything. (Yes I just did that….if you get the joke there.)

This blog was brought to you by….Let-Go………like that last drop of ketchup in the bottle….sometimes you just got to Let it go….

J.A.G.

Stay tuned....for Intern has had a new venture.

Trey Songz - Love Faces

Trey Songz - Love Faces: "Passion, Pain, & Pleasure"

ATTACK OF THE CREEPER 2: THE CREEPER STRIKES AGAIN!

In our last adventure titled ATTACK OF THE CREEPER, you may recall the hilarious but hair raising goosebump and tingling tale of our awesome intern and her bout with THE CREEPER who made an eager attempt at the end of the day to get a hug from her after engaging in an random but A&B conversation between me and her.

Welp folks………the adventures of intern has not ended there for THE CREEPER STRIKES AGAIN! …….of course for respect and privacy……..and to prevent future creepers who may read this from going after her…….I maintain anonymity of all people….even me haha…but this tale is shorter

So ….once upon time…..wait………forget that its not one of those………Sooo it is was a cool mid day Friday at the job of which seemed rather progressive. I had just came back from being in the field with my lunch in hand of choice beverage Hi-c (don’t judge) and the intern was steady working hard and making hard work for herself by choice might I add. I had forgotten that a routine firedrill was scheduled for today but as the alarm chirped and non-epileptic friendly lights flashed…I proceeded, while sipping my Hi-C, to follow the routine protocol of meeting in the hall exit stairwell until further notice.

As i proceeded I came across intern in the hall. She told me how she was “just then Hungry”, this of course after me badgering her early to get some food. We proceeded to crack a few jokes….me still encouraging her OCD plight of working still to get food. In the mist of our banter the fire drill is called to an end for what seemed like the fastest drill we ever had.

We began walking back into the office, I still drinking my Hi-C (don’t hate) when all of a sudden I see in my peripherals a hand comes across and place itself on the shoulder of intern. Paying little mind to origins of the hand, I proceeded to drink my drink but soon I’m body checked into the wall on my right and arm wraps itself around my left arm. I’m a little disoriented in the moment from being blind sided but as I look to my left I see a face in sheer terror and confusion with a dash of laughter. Startled I realized that it is the INTERN and her look confuses me but soon my mind clicks as it traces the origins of the hand to………you got it….. THE CREEPER! this time he had taken a new tactic….he snuck up from behind and pulled a arm around the shoulders….his idea of being friendly “I guess”…………..Intern was terrified but NOT having it and with ungodly adrenaline based strenght had body checked (Full hockey) into me…….and if your wondering about my HI-C….all drops were retained…..anyway..

She proceeds to wrap her arm through mine and we look to shades from a high school prom date as I realize I’m being used as cover with her arm entangled in mine…….I proceed to sip my drink while chuckling under my breath. She was a little miffed by that but fear of creeper overrides that. We start to walk faster side by side. She doesn’t want him to know her new desk whereabouts of which she had moved to since the last incident. Soon she creates the idea of having me take the lead to a distant coworkers desk as a decoy as the creeper was walking behind us.

Assessing the situation I realized that he was directly behind her in arms reach so any further attempts at violating personal bubbles was immenent….so I instead of taking the lead in her plan…wedged myself in between and put her in the lead telling her “I don’t know where to go, so I’ll follow you”…..I knew she wasn’t to happy with me breaking her plan ….but hey…..we can improvise at least right?….its better than him going for round 2,3,4, etc. :P

We reach the decoy desk and from there begin to laugh yet sort the adventure out in our heads. Our supervisor finds this amusing and completely understands our interns plight…..and as i reflect the lessons learned in this adventure are as followed.

1. Quick thinking goes a long way 2. HI-C is still good 3. Creepers are like ninjas….just more violating……4. Some women should really consider taking up hockey…..many have ungodly strength in hightened senses of emotions….ow my shoulder…and I’d hate to see the wall lol

as always never a dull moment and I’m

J.A.G.

Monday?....or Mundane?

It’s hard to tell when they seem rather synonymous at times. Often I’m reminded of the Garfield comic strip of which Garfield the Cat would wake up every morning dreading Monday…practically hiding and burying himself in his bed and for some odd reason entailed a random pie hitting him in the face just because it was Monday..…..On some Mondays even a pie in the face might be a little more exciting then the normal mundane routine.

Monday is like that awkward rollercoaster where once it starts (we’ll call that Tuesday) your excited too because you have to look forward to the weekend (THE PINNACLE OF THE RIDE). You go through loops, twist, dives, occasionally still that random person screaming in your ear until you hit that climactic point (TOP OF THE HILL) in the ride aka the WEEKEND! (workaholics excluded). From the hill you start coming down the ride to a stop (Sunday)….Your all excited and wanting to do it all again……well Monday is like that part where now it’s the end of the ride and your just sitting there waiting to be let out so you can go to the next ride…….but the ride operator is taking all damn day to get to you……you get bored….you get tired…..and then agitated…then eventually you just want to cuss someone out …..

With that in mind, it helps to either have a good set of people on that ride with you to entertain your thoughts….or find some way to make the day interesting yourself…….you know Monday’s don’t get interesting on their own………..you know what …just cuz its Monday I feel like throwing pies at my bosses……. I think they’d enjoy it…….maybe? I would….

Todays Blog is brought to you again by “Let-Go”…..puuulll back,….hooold…steady…..aiiiim….and LET GO!”

J.A.G.

At the request of a friend, I’m going to visit the topic of the make up of the Asshole for reason

I’ll leave alone. So I figure why not. Everyman is not an asshole but all have asshole tendencies brought out by particular events….whether genetic…I couldn’t tell you :P . Usually when those opportunities present themselves…..some will embrace it long term (complete)….and some will use it only in the moment….and then there is some that take the more passive approach.

Usually in relationships, the encountering of an asshole comes to view in the mist of arguments. Aggressive words are exchanged and 7 out of 10 times your mostly going to attack each others character at some point. For a guy, often in his head, like any other he becomes defensive. In this instant he may choose to retaliate often. THIS is usually the asshole tendency initiator…his character is threatened and like all playground politics…the thought that hits his mind most often is “YOU HIT ME, I’M GOING TO HIT YOU BACK”….so in some cases he may without ration or even thought not think his statements out because his whole mission at that point is to get revenge :l ….messed up I know but its what some of us do. In SOME cases between men and women we have a lost in translation….you see there is this misconception that in an argument BOTH participant are supposed to be evenly emotionally invested in the THE argument…..nope when you hit his character again SOME men will withdraw from it all…..a kind of F*** it and F*** you attitude….. “I don’t need this” ….sooo your left arguing with yourself there…….I’ve seen too many women get pissed here but even I come to terms here……I’m not going to sit here and start world war with you…..but in my case its because I know there is a better answer to the matter at hand……..

just don’t push to hard here. When he is in that mode he is not in complete asshole mode but if you push too much you WILL cause him to go all out….sometimes its better to step back and regroup in our case…..although some of us would rather just act like the altercation never happened….THIS is a problem in problem avoidance though…..but for the sake of metaphor picture a muffin. The interior is his ego and/or character…the substance……the outside is tough or solid from its exposure to the everyday heat (baked lol)……when you pass that exterior you find that some of us are consistent throughout…..and some of us put up a front in defense and really have an undercooked interior…so they really have no clarity to themselves……what the heck!?!? I’m hungry now!?

This blog is probably part I among many issues dealing with the theory of the a**hole………and is brought to you by “Let-go” :P……..no really try it lol

J.A.G.

Revamped Emo Vampires! I want to suck your blood....but it hurts inside!

Somewhere must be a really pissed off Dracula. He must be wondering what the hell happened over the past decade to lead to such emotionally charged monsters. I believe some would blame Buffy the vampire slayer and her Dawson's Creek like affair with the vampire known as Angel…….but at least angel too had a side that was slightly less emo but masculine to it. Dare I say it….Angel actually kicked @%$# and though he was nice guy…..there was a slight hint of “don’t #^$@ with me!” to him..

Last time I checked vampires were a thing to be remotely feared. At Halloween men and boys would dress up as Dracula for various reasons because Dracula was a suave but tough guy. ……Okay usually boys dressed up because he was the king of monsters….and men…..well they just liked the concept of nibbling on a girls neck I’m sure……now days not so much…..but with today's current trend I feel that if I encountered a real vampire…..If I told it that it was ugly or had bad breath , it might run off and cry……..maybe even kill itself……now I don’t know about you but I think that might make the world a safer place but still……..its slightly …..depressing…just a little...

Then again it does make sense why vampire costumes are so few seen these days….given the current twilight trend…..I don’t think I would dress up as a vampire if it meant I “glittered” in the sunlight…although I’m sure that comes handy for vampires who like to do some jogging…you’re you own reflector belt…..

Now I’m not HATING on twilight and the series of knock offs that followed (although I know a certain person is probably going to give me an earful on this tommorrow…sorry :P or am I?) but I do have grievances with that series for other reasons….but I’m just saying I want my bad ass vampires back…in todays world of survival of the fittest…..where is Blade when you need him….oh wait…tax evasion…okay George Clooney you’re our next hope for restoration.

Tie up your loose ends if you haven't....

In 2010 I suggested to tie up your loose ends as I myself did. I love it and its less stressful. So in this year of 2011 I find myself focus and a bit happier. For those who still haven't tied up theirs I suggest you do it.... Forget who should go first, forget egos, finish up old projects, repair good friendships and whatever and forget the cost unless life threatening and TRUE integrity......you'll be glad you did.

J.A.G.

Thinking out Loud

Just random thoughts none are related. I'm just thinking out loud.

"ooooo you particular woman you, you definitely inspire the competitiveness in me. How did we manage to past 3 hours unknowingly. Oh and you definitely have some "unique" criteria and ways of keeping me on my toes but that makes you cool. Oh and leave my pet peeves alone. If your psychotic and I'm crazy...we gone burn this mother down. :P"

"There are a few shady elements starting to rear their ugly heads, but thats okay. Nothing new. Its all under control, just have to keep moving"

"Thank you good sir for reminding me that I am not the only one in this fight to preserve the good man's name. Its not about chauvinist. Its about saying what you mean and meaning what you say and taking care of the things you care about, chivalry is a plus."

"I'll see you this summer maybe we'll go salsa and merengue again ;)"

"Its always good to hear your voice, it grounds me and reminds me why I do what I do. I hope you accomplish your aspirations babygirl."

"I'm not where I want to be, but I will get there for sure. I'm working towards it...its a big to do list."

"Didn't doubt you for a minute. Good luck in your 3rd year. Told you you'd make it 5 4 years ago ;)"

"People can do the right things, the wrong way."

"Can't tell you, I can only show you"

"I really want to get this fellowship"

"Are you kidding me, I was built for the red wire blue wire situation....its the paperwork that messes with me"

"AGAIN a true man does not fear commitment....he commits to things everyday. It's being committed to the wrong thing that he fears"

"I'm back and soon to be better than ever"

J.A.G.

ATTACK OF THE CREEPERS!!

I have very interesting people as always in my life. Very diverse from race, to train of thought, belief systems, to problems, to. well you name it....so to get new friends honestly would only mean I'm changing a face.......not the situation so with the friends I have, I wouldn't have it any other way. Especially given my past in friends and life in general haha.

So your probably wondering what this has to do with the title. Allow me to tell you a story but first let me introduce you to the characters.

At my job we have a particular intern. She's wonderful in a very witty, random, and hilarious way...sly in a funny way...and cool in my book. I think she gets herself in quite some odd situations too without trying but none truly unfamiliar. I've had the opportunity to work with her for quite a while and it has been non stop laughter in the process between both our antics on the job. Jobs don't get interesting on their own all the time, you know?

Another character, we will refer to as creeper because he is a strange one. He is happy, hyper, optimistic, but tends to tell very bad jokes, and snores at his desk occassionally. My team is predominately and coincidentally female. Creeper has been at the facility for quite some time. (More than 10 years to be exact) and probably old enough to be a grandpa. He tends to send a creepy vibe off to the females of my work team obviously. I don't know why.......okay mainly it is probably because he is too friendly to the point that he oversteps personal bubbles and boundaries (aka in their minds "THE DIRTY OLD MAN"). For two of my close friends from the job he has attempted to hug them during random unwarranted opportunities which could only reflect to them as coping a feel. (i'm laughing pretty hardcore here)..It is wrong yes I know...anyway

Usually If I am in the vicinity.....they give what could only be described as the...... "WTF!?!? help me!?" look.
He also tends to be touchy feely in his interactions. Whether he is aware or not, I am unsure at the moment.

Our intern was placed with desk right next to his and over time has been rather acquainted with his ways.

Now to our story:

Its the end of my shift, and I decided on my way out to check on the intern who at this point looks like she is about to choke the hell out of her phone after making several calls to our most "heartwarming"(sarcasm) citizens in Houston. I figured I'd get her to laugh a bit, especially before she does damage to city property with all that care.

We begin to talk about the task and a few other hilarious jokes and cheap shots at each other along the way. As we talk the man who we will refer to as creeper is packing to leave for the day as well. We proceed to talk about the all day faxing she has been doing as well as what each of us may do for the upcoming MLK day of which I invite her. In the mist of our conversation, Creeper feels compelled to walk out and engage in our banter. We talk for a little while listening to his attempted jokes which neither of us can interpret like a foreign language we've never heard.

Suddenly a feeling comes over both her and I of which we make eye contact with each other. We realize, that he is lingering and not wanting to leave. From her face I read the expression "I don't want to talk to him, uh oh" of which my face retorts "uh oh this is not good". Given what I know of him already, I foresee what is about to happen next and think to myself that I should probably help my partner out. I grab my Blackberry acting as if I had recieved a missed message but proceed to send her a text message saying "Fax Save yourself" in hopes that she would use her last fax job as a means to get out. The Creeper continues to joke unaware of this and proceeds with another bad joke which is beyond our comprehension. We laugh in consideration and to hide our confusion. The intern glares at me with a look which clearly says to me "SAVE ME!" yet smiles to hide it from the creeper out of politeness.

As I glance past her I notice that her phone finally receives my text message. I point to her, that I think she has gotten a phone call to allow her to get a fresh breath of air and set her up for an escape. She seizes the opportunity to read her message and laughs as she checks it. I engage the creeper in hopes of deferring him to me in conversation. She messages me back "Help, gotta go...Save Me". I mention to the creeper something random of which my partner plays on in humor....but now has unknowingly redirected the creepers focus back to her. As she grabs the fax sheets in hand, the unexpected occurs.

Okay I expected it..... but I was trying to save her from it. Without warrant nor warning, the creeper goes for THE HUG!. A hug which almost resembles that of a bear hug squeezing her tightly against him. Her eyes FLARE WIDELY looking at me with FEAR, CONFUSION, PANIC, PARANOIA, and DISGUST and switches to a face that says, "HELP! Don't you DARE leave me here!". I couldn't help it but I laughed on the inside and chuckled quietly but had no intent on leaving her there in this awkward situation. The hug lasts for what seemed like 1 whole minute but to her probably felt like a lifetime of confusion. I talk to him on a new subject in hopes to pry him off of her but the first attempt fails because he seems rather determined. I try again louder and reach success as he begins to release and look at me. The intern grabs the fax paper quickly and as I distract she intervenes and proceeds to ask me if I can show her how to use the fax machine on the other side of the building.

Now keep in mind that she has been faxing from that machine all day as I mentioned earlier. I agree to help and tell creeper that I will see him later. As I look at my watch we have been at this for 15 minutes. We begin to walk to the fax machine and realize that he is going the same route of course to sign out. She plays off her concern well. We both continue joking in accents not of our own on random subjects as he follows and tries to throw in some fragments of statements. Fortunately he remembers to go to the break room for his lunch container and detours that direction. A sigh of relief comes across my partners face as I notice that we begin to walk faster to the fax supply room. After we safely evade and enter the fax room we begin to laugh about the entire situation as well as what has happened in earlier times on the internship and some other things causing us both to laugh hard but forced to maintain composure as to not draw attention from other coworkers.

Never a dull moment...... but hey I'm Just a guy. :)

J.A.G.

This story is brought to you by Blackberry and Samsung.......proud evasion tools of creepers everywhere.

Laughter can be the best medicine...

Dear women,

I enjoy making you all laugh. There is no other way to say that. Your minds go a mile a minute as much as most of you portray yourselves as being simple in thoughts. Through laughter I feel that for a brief single moment I get you to stop thinking of all the bull around you and off the stress so you can give your body a rest or time to catch up, or maybe even enjoy a little peace. Plus it is always good to make a woman smile....requires some work and trial and error but it's worth it at times. Thats right I said it. I say this as a man and I'm man enough to say it. Welp back to this life where I do what I do best....

Sincerely,
J.A.G.

P.S.- If anybody whats to criticize this or me about this material..from the bottom of my heart with all sincerity....go $@#% yourself and do something better with your life because I handle my business while I have these adventures as should you. I didn't come here for a peer to peer review on this one. :)

Quiet Storms that cost us all.....

You know more friendships, relationships, work environments, partnerships, teams, etc get broken up by elements that had nothing to do with what they were was founded and developed on.....dissolved by things that are random.....unneeded and unnecessary....often..... easy to resolve.....

Along with that., every human being because they are not perfect will overtime make really crappy decisions, act in ways they shouldn't occasionally or don't fit for certain situations, and ultimately and (generically) make mistakes ....often routinely.

With that in mind you have a choice in all these things......you can let these ties go with the flow of today's chaos....which is like leaving a flower or anything unattended and will ultimately lead to its demise..........which also can leave you with nothing over and over again....OR you can do what is necessary regardless of anything to take care of the things you care about most.

in a way, what it comes down to is do you really and truly care at all .......or are you content with saying and convincing yourself the words that you care but not adding truly or dedicating yourself to the work ethic necessary to make your caring true.

The only true ties that should be cut come down to those that jeopardize life, future, limb, and compromising of complete self...not a portion...but complete.

Don't expect anything you have to not have its fair share of conflicts but be willing to do what is necessary to get what you have back up and running right even if it means going back to basics or ground zero.


That which you care about, you will do what is necessary regardless of opinions, prejudices, egos, or anything. Why?.......because you care about it.


This popped in my head randomly as I sit in my room and relax.....I figure or assume there is somebody out here that needs to hear this but who knows? As always I'm ...

J.A.G.

Good night

For Every Action........

I was holding a conversation with someone very dear and important to me and in the mist of this conversation I noticed something with her that I have always realized as a kid growing up. Something she did for me when we were little was simple but was pivotal to me growing up in a phase ....but she never knew nor realized it but I'm always appreciative and grateful for her because of it whether she knows or not.

A lot of us don't really understand or realize just how significant every little action can be in life. Otherwise, we do realize but we push it in the back of our minds and bury it with whatever we label as priorities, aspirations, everyday encounters, and sometimes intentionally choosing to ignore it.

emphasized words "For every action, there is a reaction"-Newtons third law

although physics this can also be applied socially but its easier to see the immediate physics like moving (I admit) than it is to see what you do and how it effects the environment around you....unless you INTENTIONALLY decide to look. (FOR TECHNICAL PEOPLE: Keep in mind SOCIALLY not every action and reaction will be equal....that is the BIG difference if you apply the whole law)

but back to the original conversation..

Even the the littlest thing or routine action can have the biggest effect especially if it is at the right time and the right place......and not just even that.

Example: When I was in a ROTC unit in college, I made it a point to smile one year everywhere I went despite how agitated training could be at times....randomly in a football game against Nebraska a girl randomly pulled me aside and told me that she always noticed me smiling every time she saw me and it made her smile and handled the day the same

did I expect it to have effect personally.....yes....its why I did it (I understood this)... but please mind
you its near 10000 + people at a football game, I didn't know this girl nor have a class with her, and this happened to me multiple times with various people.

That's several people just because of a routine..small action...that most of us see as truly just a small gesture to ourselves, or meaning nothing at times, or a just because action

I could give you several more examples but I'm not going to be long winded with this. Its the ripple effect if you've heard of it.

envision a pond or lake

"If you tap your finger in the water a small ripple becomes bigger ripples" that is the basis of the ripple effect metaphor.

but to expand on that did you know that that tap was probably heard by fish.......the fish saw it as a warning and as result changed its course of action....who knows you may have starved a bear somewhere" :P

Now as redundant as always I hear the words ooo you're over thinking things...let me again nip this in the bud...and say no I'm not.

You would be surprise to know what your brain processes, notices, or what information it receives and interprets without your focus. Your brain has already processed all this and your constantly assessing EVERYTHING without you realizing it (including often actions and reactions). so am I really?.... no I'm just pointing it out. Something you possibly choose to ignore or bury in focus deeming it maybe unimportant TO YOU. I just decided to look at it.

Of course from the person who is dear to me she often says that "I'm making it bigger than what it is" (I say this laughing of course right now).....but to me... no ...and you unknowingly its just something to us as simple as "breathing" :P....

know thyself....

but hey I'm

J.A.G. ;)

P.S- Make every action count towards the best reaction....

In Preparation of Whatever May Come...

"E re nata. Aut viam inveniam aut faciam."

As circumstances dictate. I will either find a way or make one

Its approximately 7:30. I'm tired and exhausted physically from one extreme workout but for some reason my mind and spirit are still as wired as ever. For the past couple of months (actually all my life but not to this extreme) I've felt like I've been preparing for something yet I can't put my finger on what it is or who it involves...yet it feels like whatever is coming I need to be at my best at all times in every way and ready.

For all I know it could be a life or direction changing thing, the usual right place at the right time, or something else.......but in the mean time....I'm going to continue to workout and push my physical limits to get better and make sure I'm physical ready and capable to do my best. AS ALWAYS I consult with God on the spiritual, and mentally I know I've slacked a bit to give my detail oriented mind a vacation. As a result I've missed a few details...but as whatever this is rolls around...I'll be back on point like clockwork. I'm sure some of my friends have realized a slight change in my Demeanor only because of my focus..just don't take it in offense..it's not like that.

Mind, Body, and Spirit.......take care of them and they will take care of you.

Aside..well partially related....The dreams are back.....and as always far from average and test me in character and skill...with risk as always. I wonder sometimes if I should create a separate blog that details my dreams. I think they would be a very interesting read...almost story like but puzzles as well. Some of the people involved I know and some I don't...but we'll see.

Welp I'm going to get cleaned up....stay tuned for my 2011 blog.....or any blogs leading up to that.....if you don't have blogspot check out my link for Just a guy on tumbler.

J.A.G.