Monthly Archives: June 2009
The Right Way and the Wrong Way of Presenting an Argument…
So many people lack the ability to argue their points of view in a way that makes them sound halfway smart. I’ve noticed this lately in a lot of people. Let me explain…
If I read an article or someone else’s opinion about something, and I disagree with it, I will take the time to look up the subject and make sure I know what I’m talking about before making an argument against the point. Just doing this saves you a lot of humiliation in the event that they actually decide to look into your argument and prove YOU wrong. Researching a subject isn’t just going to Wikipedia and taking your “facts” from just that one source – it’s going to 2-3 different websites, magazines, books, etc…and then making judgements about the subject based on the differing sides presented.
When I post an opinion about something online, I welcome any and all who want to challenge it. And, that goes for anybody – if you don’t agree with a certain post of mine, by all means, argue it and I will post your side of it for all to see, even though I don’t agree. However, this only goes for those of you who make a respectable argument. Let me make myself a bit more clear…
Let’s say I posted an opinion that read:
“I love people who hunt because they kill animals and who needs animals anyway?! Animals are just a waste of space!”
Ok, now…let’s say you disagreed with this post because you believe hunting is cruelty to animals.
Here’s the WRONG way to respond:
“I hate stupid people who can’t keep their mouths shut and think they’re god’s gift to everything.”
Here’s the RIGHT way to respond:
“It’s been proven that hunting animals increases the dangers of extinction for some species. Also, animals can feel pain, and shooting an animal hurts them just as much as if you were to shoot a human, and I believe it’s wrong and should be stopped.”
Now, which one do you think would get more respect? Certainly not example #1. And, I find it strikingly funny that when I ask for a real argument, no one has the skills to present one. Whether it’s a lack of education and not paying attention during that day of English class, or they just don’t give a damn, one will never know I suppose. But, if it’s because they don’t give a damn, that’s sad…really sad. People need to learn how to stand up for themselves in other ways than simply using insulting remarks and sentences towards the person they disagree with. Getting all huffy and puffy about something and then not being able to come up with anything better than “just shut up” is not acceptable and never will be.
Michael Jackson
Whether I’m in the minority about this issue or not, I really feel like the world has lost a great person. Michael Jackson was unfortunately known and judged more for what the press decided to label him as, instead of for what he should have been known more for – which was his BRILLIANT and unique music. People tend to forget that just because you see it on TV, doesn’t mean it’s necessarily true on all counts. MJ fell victim to poor media coverage and was given so many labels, his career never recovered fully, and the press should be ashamed. They ruined the life and career of one of the most talented people ever to set foot on this planet.
No one will ever know, except his close friends and family, if the allegations in the mid-90′s and in 2005 were true or not, but even if they are, you have to learn to separate the man and his music. Don’t forget the amount of good he has done through his music. Who could forget ‘We are the World’? This spawned Live Aid which is still one of the most recognized charity fund-raising attempts to date.
Most people have looked past the negative over the last day or so and have really been affected by his passing, and for the rest of you, there’s nothing I can say. I’m sure you would want the positives in your life to be remembered rather than the negatives, so give him the same benefits as you would want to have.
Contrary to Popular Belief…
It’s really not that interesting to see 80 photo albums of your children splattered all over the net. Plus, is that really being a responsible parent plastering your kids’ identity all over the net? Hmm….just a thought.
“Here he is at 3 months!”
“Oh…here he is at 4 months!”
“Here’s little booger face at 6 months!”
“68 more pictures of him at 8 months!”
Ugh…enough already!
A responsible parent would know and understand the risks of putting photos of children online for all to see. I can understand a couple here and there as infants and/or toddlers, but especially as they grow up, there’s no need to put your children on the internet for all to see. It’s a fact of life these days, more people than ever are stalking and kidnapping young children. You see it on the news all the time, and it happens several times a day, every day. You just can’t trust people, strangers I might add, with pictures you plaster on the internet. I’m sorry, but there’s no way to justify it in my eyes. I’m not a parent yet, but I do know that a parents’ biggest job is to ensure the safety of his or her children. When your child is abducted, you might look back and think, “hmm, I probably shouldn’t have done that…” Oops, well, too late…little Billy’s gone and never to be seen again! “That’s ok, I can always make another one!”
And the whole “it’s called being a proud parent” statement…like hell. A proud moment is a child’s first steps, first baseball game, first dancing lesson, first words, first day of school…need I go on? Little Billy sitting on the floor staring at the camera wondering why you’re flashing a picture of him every two seconds is not a proud moment. What’s there to be proud of? “I make less than poverty level income, I’m in debt up to my eyeballs and I have no way to drive my own child anywhere without relying on someone else.” Oh yes, there’s a lot to be proud of right there! The proudest parents are the ones who plan the pregnancy, map out a good career, map out some life goals and actually get them done. These are the parents that can be certain they are providing the absolute best for their children and are confident that they made the right decision to have a baby at the time they did, and that the family will actually stick together…both parents and all…until that child is grown up and on its own.
You don’t have to make $100,000 a year to have a child…but $15-$20,000 just won’t cut it this day in age. And you don’t have to stop taking pictures of your children…snap away! But, think twice before posting them in a place where anyone – and I mean anyone (yes, even if you have your profile set to private – that means nothing!) can get to them and ruin your life.
Like they say – common sense isn’t very common.
And please, if you feel the need to argue this post, back it up with FACTS. Point out what you think is FACTUALLY WRONG with my post, look up the RIGHT ANSWER and then argue your point…don’t sit there and say “you aren’t a parent so shut up!” No, sorry…that won’t work for an argument. If you don’t post a factually driven argument, your comment won’t be posted…simple as that.
Fitness Test
Today was my annual fitness test – I passed. It’s one of those things you know you’ll do well in, but you worry anyway for no reason at all, lol. Ahhh well, it’s over with.
Working all weekend…but then I get Monday and Tuesday off.
Let the Summer begin!
Howdy partners! Today has been soooo gorgeous. It topped out around 80° – and tomorrow is supposed to be even warmer! I love it!
I went to the gym today and did a mile and a half, then some push-ups. My fitness test is in a couple days and I think I’m pretty much ready.
Sarah and I finally made it official a couple days ago! We’ve only known each other for half a decade so it was definitely time, LOL! I’m happy about it, so I hope this works out as good as we both want it too. Plus, she’s taking a Geology course this semester, so it better work out…! Ok, come on, you know how I am with Geology…yep, enough said. 
Last night was the hometown Boston Aerosmith concert! If I was still in Maine I definitely would have been there.
Hmm…this is the first of two days off. I was gonna go see a movie tonight but kinda sorta lost my motivation to drive downtown. Maybe tomorrow, who knows!
Oh and…myBirthday is in 6 days
End of the Week
Well howdy everyone! It’s that time of the year again, and music is in the air! Yes, it’s Aerosmith touring season! And, you all know how pumped I get during that time of the year…
So anyway, it looks like it’s gonna be a done deal with Sarah and I – and all we have to do is finalize some travel arrangements for her to come up to ND in September. That shouldn’t be too much of a problem I wouldn’t think.
I just finished up my last day of work this week and now I have the weekend off. I’m glad this week is over just because I had such a weird schedule. It was a pretty decent week though everything considered.
This is my lame update for the time being. I’ll be up for another few hours and I’m probably gonna eat something here shortly.
210 Minutes and 44 Seconds
Today was certainly an interesting one! I worked the 2-10pm shift, but only half of my shift was I really considered “there”…lol. Long story, and it’s gonna be this way for the rest of the week most likely.
Sarah and I chatted tonight for 210 minutes and 44 seconds (but who’s counting?!) and it was a really nice talk! We played the whole ’20 questions’ game as everyone does when they first really get to know each other, but it’s ok since I like it, LOL Next, it’s my turn..hehe! 
Ahhh, let’s see here…If you haven’t heard ‘The Wind Blows’ by AAR yet, you need too.
On a sad note – I found out that Brad Whitford (rhythm guitarist for Aerosmith) is in the hospital and will sit out at least the first part of this tour. However, I did see a copy of the predicted setlist for the opening night show and it looks like it’s gonna be a 19-song killer show! Mike and I are probably gonna start figuring out a decent setlist coming up at some point in the near future and then rehearse for it. We’re still targeting April/May of 2012 to be the kick-off!
That’s about all for now! I hope this wasn’t too boring!
Mid-Week ;)
This week has been pretty good so far. I’ve been working the swing shifts at work which are from 2pm until 10pm…gives me a bit of time in the morning to sleep in and not have to worry and rush to get to work.
This friggin’ iPod! OMG! I’m telling you what…it’s the coolest thing ever, BUT…I still haven’t mastered the whole “sync” process yet. Sarah’s been my iPod coach over the past couple of days until my brain comprehends it all finally. Apparently, when you hit “sync”, it erases the entire library on your iPod unless you click the little box that says “manually manage”. Of course, I ALWAYS forget to click it…You know what happens next I’m sure…
We were supposed to have a safety inspection today at the dorm but I don’t think we ever did. I wasn’t home after 2pm so I can’t be positive about that.
I bought my tickets today to see Motley Crue, Theory of a Deadman and Good Charlotte at the ND State Fair in July/August! So many neat things are coming up this Summer – My B-Day is in a few weeks, the concerts, a couple friends from Maine should be here to visit in August, and then Sarah might be coming up in September/October to spend a few days with me! Things are looking really, really good as far as the near future goes!
Hmmm what else? Umm…I’m about to enjoy a nice, hearty bowl of Cap’n Crunch! LOL! I was going to take a shower, but by the time I got off the phone I realized what time it actually was. Well, I knew what time it was, but it dawned on me after that it was pretty late after all…so, therefore – my shower has been delayed.
I bought a case of Dr. Pepper last time I went shopping, but I have yet to open it. My fitness test is coming up soon (which I have mentioned at least 34,000 times, I know) and I’m really trying to make sure I pass it comfortably. Maybe the Cap’n Crunch isn’t such a great idea now that I think about it, but hell, you gotta live a little!
I think my songwriting motivation has come back to me full-force finally. A while ago I was pumping out at least a song or two per month, but recently I’m lucky to get one done every 2 months. I’ve completed three within the last several weeks and I’m still pretty motivated to write one more at least by my Birthday – so maybe this weekend will be a good chance to get it started!
Before I wrap this up, you’ve GOT to watch this video! The Terminator Baby! Later all!
