Web 1.0 was the best Web.
Yes, some people still blog! I have a collection of random things I’ve written about, big and small, since 2001.
I wanted Bernie Sanders. Desperately. I have never hidden the fact that I find the two-party system disgusting and an insult. I am in all cases further left than the Democratic party. Elections can be tough for me since I rarely find anyone that has a platform nearly as left as I want it to be. Bernie Sanders was the closest to a match that I have ever witnessed. His burning berning up the primary circuit was a dream come true. His failure leaves a Bernie shaped hole in my heart that Hillary Clinton can never fill. Add on top of this the scandal around the Democratic National Committee and their treatment of Senator Sanders left me with a strong desire to seek a third-party candidate or to just skip the presidential portion of the election altogether. I was angry and I was ready to damn everyone with my vote.
I keep telling myself that I am going to start writing again. To pick up the keyboard – well, as it stays securely in place in front of my television, I suppose the keyboard doesn’t get picked up – and get my fingers to begin pressing on this wonderful array of plastic mushrooms with funny little symbols painted on them and create words. I love writing and the spinning of words. To glue together letter after letter, word after word and create something at least mildly entertaining for others to read. Just one thing eludes me, just one thing: where does one find the time!? Just a year ago I would have told you that there was far little time for me to do any meaningful writing. A year ago I was home by myself throughout the day. My wife bringing home the proverbial bacon and my daughter off at school. I cleaned the house, did some school work, played video games, and ate whatever leftovers we had from dinner the night before. Looking back to a year ago I shake my head. What I would do for that kind of free time!
Research Essay written for my English class.
Let us make the assumption that you are a native English speaker. You have command of a language that nearly a billion and a half people around the world speak at some level of proficiency (Graddol 10). English is more than just a primary language of former British colonies. The language has become the lingua franca of science, international business, technology, diplomacy, and many other fields. With so much use in many different important areas, one would think the language would be far more eloquent. However, anyone with a child in elementary school likely knows the frustration of trying to explain to their young ones why ‘ph’ makes an ‘f’ sound, or why ‘ough’ is a long ‘o’ sound in the word ‘dough’ but makes more of an ‘uhf’ sound in the word ‘enough’. Why is the English language like this? Is there hope to salvage our language before spelling becomes too far separated from the spoken?
This past weekend, the commissioner of the NFL announced that the competition committee is going to look into abolishing the extra-point after a touchdown. The only explanation of what is being discussed is the idea of having a touchdown be worth seven points. Afterward, the team may elect to try for a two-point conversion. A successful conversion will make the entire event worth eight points, but if the team fails to convert, the team will only get six points. Therefore, the extra-point kick is eliminated but the option for two points is there. This has, as expected, divided the fans of football. Some believe this is a long time coming while others yell about keeping football pure. Having been a long time fan of both American Football and Rugby, I like to think that my thoughts are situated somewhere in between.
Research paper for my Government class.
The balance of legal power in the United States is divided between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. Domestic and foreign policy is dictated by the executive and legislative branches and their various subunits. Although the constitution spells out how policy and laws should be implemented in a broad manner, many aspects have developed since drafting of the constitution. The legislative branch creates laws and the executive branch enforces, and typically the legislative makes law the public policy while the executive sets foreign policy. However, these roles are not always black-and-white, and each branch has a role to play in the various policies legally implemented in both domestic and foreign policy. Through careful study of policy, it can be shown that the legislative and executive branches are fairly balanced, and this analysis proves that the checks-and-balance system put in place by the founders of the United States continues to help keep this power balanced.
This was in response to a question by my US Government professor.
I believe certain aspects of governing must be done from the overall umbrella of the federal government. Ensuring equal rights for all citizens, maintaining relations with foreign countries, disaster response that could easily overwhelm a state, and crimes committed across state lines just to name a few. These things are too important to allow each state to do as it pleases.
Doug, I honestly didn’t think I would ever fall in love again.
From an outsider’s perspective, it might seem like we moved really fast – but I don’t remember a time before we were friends.
I have always respected your intellect and your humor. Even in my darkest days, you have always had the ability to make me laugh.
I don’t think I can put into words how much your friendship has meant to me over the years or how overwhelmingly blessed I feel to have that friendship grow into love.
It was just over 14 years ago that we met and I knew from that moment you were something special. In the years since, we have maintained a close bond even though we were over a thousand miles apart.
It was not the initial romance we kindled so long ago that I cherish but the years of friendship since. You have – more than anyone else in my life – help shape who I am. You taught me so much from the other side of the country. I can not imagine what you will teach me side by side.
The TV show is a comedy, where Misaki Yuko decides she wants to become a flight attendant after a guy she likes mentions that he likes girls in uniform. She applys and gets accepted to begin training with JAL. (Japanese Airlines)
This is a ‘fish out of water’ syle comedy. Misaki is a ‘rocker’ girl who, before joining JAL, was the lead singer of a band. Losing her mother at a young age, she was raised by her father around her three brothers. Through and through a tomboy. In the world of flight attendant’s, women are expected to be “proper” and have a sort-of classic beauty about them.
This has got to be the saddest show I’ve ever seen. This Japanese show is called １リットルの涙 (Ichi Rittoru no Namida, 1 Liter of Tears).
The official translated Fuji TV description of the show:
This beautifully moving drama is based on the real-life struggles of a 15-year-old girl named Aya who suffered from an incurable disease, but lived life to the fullest until her death at 25. The script is based on the diary Aya kept writing until she could no longer hold a pen. The book that later followed entitled “One Litre of Tears” has sold over 1.1 million copies in Japan alone.
Aya’s only wish was “to live.” By carefully depicting Aya’s earnest desire to live, and the love of her family, friends, and lover, the drama, “One Litre of Tears” wishes to deliver her simple but strong message: “Just being alive is such a lovely and wonderful thing.”— Fuji TV
A synopsis at d-addicts reads: