Full Throttle

Dreams

I've had a lot of vivid dreams lately. Dreams are unproductive. They accomplish nothing and convey stuff you'd rather not think about, people you've tried to move past and things that are just so bizarre. Sleep itself is an abomination. Wasteful. Disgraceful.

Really feel like a huge pressure has been lifted off me, not sure how to relay that via the written word so instead I'll proclaim my newfound love of Futurerama. Adult Swim is the best thing ever to a college guy. Except the stupid new Ted and Eric Awesome Show and Moleman shows. Stuck to cartoons man, not craptastic live action.

Bunch of other stuff but I'm tired and Futurerama is almost over. Classes start at 11:30 tomorrow, so it's off to uselessness activities during the night (innuendo?).

- Maddog
much as i love comics and videogames

Attention Earth Females

Attention all Females. I have an important message.

Men are not women. We are not girls nor do we serve in the capacity of girlfriends. We are of a different model and make. We operate on different parameters. We don't even take the same fuel. We are totally and completely different. Do not treat us as you would your girlfriends. We do not enjoy the same things. We are Men. Our biggest flaw is that we are Men.

We are not, to your great female disapointment, all gay. We are different then you. When girls get together, they talk about fashion and other boring non-man activities. When guys get together, they talk about girls, comparing and contrasting. We enjoy killing things, chopping down things and other disgusting manly activities. Or if we are city slickers (and not, like this author, badasses) then we probably enjoy extremely stupid looking cars with many lights and the idea that we are some kind of underground ghetto racing gangster drivers.

When we meet a chick, we are gauging if we'd want to go out with her, not if she'd make a good friend. It is not what we do, we don't befriend girls left and right. Stop being so friendly to all of us men then getting pissed when a guy expresses interest in her and saying that he is a "one-track pig". This is not fair. I am tired of seeing my friends get shot down and hearing stories of these situations. We are not your buddies. Stop treating us as such. When you are being flirty and nice to us, we are thinking we have a chance.

If you respond to this with a "it is Men's fault, we are not changing our ways. We are who we are and they just have to deal with it" then you are an idiot. If you flaunt certain behaviors we will react. Said behavior could range from flirting to glancing our way. Granted we may be standing under a fashion magazine but we'll interpret it as such. Stop acting all surprised and disgusted. This is what we are. Find one you like, let him know and stick with him. Stop making us dance because you can and you enjoy that power. This is called, what we Men have a very technical term for, being a dick.

 

Thank you for your attention,
- Maddog
girl i'm freakish shouldn't say those things.

CATO, and all that applies

I just got out of my Anthropology class in which there was a fascinating discussion on political theories and the rise of superpowers. I love political science to death. I enjoy it so much I'm thinking about dropping Spanish to a minor and focusing on a PS major along with the Biology. We had a very interesting talk about the factors of cultural dominance, trends in the near the future and if ecological/geographical features are more important then political/cultural features. It was good stuff.

I also found that in my discussion group of ten people, only one was an Evolutionist. The rest were all Creationist, leading to an interesting discussion on Creationism vs. Evolution that left the Evolutionist squirming. It was nice to hear! Most of them weren't really interested in the politics aspects, only me, the Evolutionist and two others carried on the socio-political debates, but when Creationism was brought up, everyone entered the fray. It was good stuff.

I finished Guns, Germs and Steel and overall it's an interesting read. A good look into the mind of ecological-based historians. The typical attitude of a highly-educated American who is going to solve everyone problems with his advanced learning. Pisses me off. Diamond talks about Windhoek and Namibia, the same city that I went to, and their factors. I'm sorry but you cannot bring those concepts into such a radically different environment as that. The whole shock of a German-dominated society can't be thought of in American terms of a stratification. it's the typical thing of "We can make people better" mentality that neo-liberals bring into the fray.

Speaking of liberals, I've found an awesome resource on libertarianism and classical liberalism. I really struggle with several key issues that Republicans stand on (such as opposition to Laissez-faire and decentralization) and it's hard to find resources that really speak to true Federalism. One such place, however, is the CATO Institute, a Washington DC think-tank and public policy foundation. While there are some policies I don't agree (their foriegn policies smack too much of First World War era- isolationism), I really like where most of their ideas stand. The Policy Studies they put out are wonderful. In fact, I'm currently using this Policy Analysis on the need for decentralization and withdrawal of Federal involvement in education in my research paper. Reading through their stuff is great. They've got a good mission statement:

"The Cato Institute seeks to broaden the parameters of public policy debate to allow consideration of the traditional American principles of limited government, individual liberty, free markets and peace. Toward that goal, the Institute strives to achieve greater involvement of the intelligent, concerned lay public in questions of policy and the proper role of government. "

I also heartily support their Social Security Project. They are pushing for privatization of SS, something that should have been done a long time ago. Really, it's good stuff. I'll be wading through their excellent website for awhile. I'm defiantly got more ties to paleoconservatism then anything else, however I don't support the idea of total isolationism. Still, CATO has some good reads. I'd suggest a look through. I'm off to write my paper, for a second time.

- Maddog

everbody's heading to the desert, have a real good time

Ask me this...

Well, shoot. I missed Thursday, breaking my brief streak! I gotta cram two essays into the "FINALIZED MODE" by tonight, so it's an all-nighter. I just finished one, now starting on the second. This weekend is going to be horribly, horribly crammed. Lots of stuff, including the awesome Superbowl. I'm so excited it's stupid.

Yesterday, that'd be Thursday, I did so much homework and studying I thought my head would exploded. I started studying at 8:30 AM and only really breaked for an hour lunch. I wrapped up my studying and last class at 6:45. I'm utterly exhausted. However, I still had to go pick up my brother at Karate (where I also got to see Sarah quick. There is something really....good... about watching your girlfriend beating the crap out of other people) so I was home late. Thus, I'm now cramming with these essays.

I'm just tired all the time. I'm not sleeping very well and I've missed my morning class too many times now. The bed just doesn't recieve me early enough, with my constant late-night homework shuffles. I'm in over my head, once again. I always am. I'm managing to maintain high B's and low A's in everything though, so that's good. At least my English 111 class is horribly easy. Man. I play videogames on my Palm Pilot the entire period.

People, by the time you get to frickin' college you should know the difference between 1st and 3rd person perspectives. And if you have to ask what you use "we" for....then you are an idiot. Man. Dependent and independent clauses? Coommmmeeee oonnnnn. Are we all morons? Sigh. Such a boring class.

- Maddog
she fears i will take her

Spray n' Pray: The How-To For Rebels

1. Load AK-47 Banana clip with 7.62 x 39 mm bullets.
2. Pull back and release charging handle.
3. Slip the switch to automatic- the middle setting.
4. Grip the rifle with one hand.
5. Point in general vicinity of where you think that the bad guys might be.
6. Squeeze trigger until rifle stops recoiling.
7. Repeat

My god and we wonder why Africa is awash with guns and bullets. They need all those post-Soviet weapons and bullets, because evidently no one there has a single clue on how to actually operate one. Wizbang alerted me to a great pictorial showing how the Liberian Guerrillas don't have any idea of what they are doing. I love the guy with the life jacket. That'll stop a .223!

I've fired AK-47s before, they aren't very accurate anyways. And that was when I was aiming with both hands, in a firing stance. I hadn't tried the gangsta, one-hand-grip-and-wave-around firing mode. I might have hit more targets if I did...

If we dropped eight Delta Force guys in there, we'd have the country by tomorrow at noon. I love being an American. Means you actually know how to fire a gun. Even when we rob banks, we do it right. Body armor and 1,100 rounds of ammunition. Fo shizzle.

- Maddog
that's why i pack a mac

Kong's Bong Wearin' a Thong

            I received a rotten sickness over the course of yesterday some how, so it is impairing everything I do. I skipped most of my classes and am sitting here drinking as much herbal teas and getting as much sleep as possible. I very rarely get sick. When I feel even a slight sickness come on, I stop whatever I’m doing and will just spend a solid day, if I can, of sleeping and drink special teas. Almost always, I’ll be better the next day without a trace while people around me are three or four days off their feet. Kill it before it starts.
            That and I think the steam-baths that I take every day really help. It releases all those toxins in the skin and helps you expunge everything. I always feel better after them. Working out too increases the body’s ability to fight sickness. Since I have a period where I am not sleeping, I want to use this Tea Drinking time to recap yesterday and Kong. I feel the events are worthy of capping.
            After morning class, we picked up Miss Wonderful and headed into Anchorage. The Pop was coming via airplane so we hit the airport first then trotted over to the theater to see Kong. Overall I was impressed. Jackson has a definite style and everything he does has an incredible epic feel to it, there is nothing else that can describe it. Certain scenes and moods just simply seem to say “this is bigger then anything you can imagine”. Maybe that’s the best way to describe Jackson. Big.                         Everything he does just seems to feel immense. When you first see Kong, you are struck with the size of the best. When you see him battle the T-Rex, you are overcome with the scale and intensity of the fight. When the Venture crew falls into the canyon, you are shocked by the gigantic foes they face. And when the movie is over, your butt is impressed with the length of it.

            It was in general just an excellent adventure romp. I felt like I was watching some old 50s adventure serial, where people simply shot things that stood in their way and big things liked to smash smaller things. There were other themes woven into the whole movie as well, one of finding your destiny, coming to grips with what you love and losing that love.
               Action was galore in the entire thing. You’ve seen it all before, giant bugs, giant monsters, monsters running through cities but somehow it just feels….grander. Everyone in the theater was applauding, cheering and gasping with the movie. It’s a great ride through the whole thing. Yes, there may be some problems here and there (I wonder how many times Naomi Watts was told to gaze meaningfully into the camera) but mostly it’s solid. This movie seals Jackson as the King of Epics.
            All in all, this bodes well for the Halo movie which he is producing.

After that delightful viewing, I then had to go to the dress rehearsal of the Drama. And oh man, this thing is going to be a comedy instead of the serious drama/musical that it’s trying to be billed as. Actors forgot their lines or entire scenes, all kinds of technical equipment glitches and we just now figured out the curtain call and how everyone is suppose to bow.

And we have a performance tomorrow. Lord help us.

What’s even worse is the fact that the production got front-billing on the local paper. A good chunk of the community may end up coming to this thing, only to see several dozen people try to pull off what needs to be done by a much larger church or company. This dress rehearsal was the FIRST TIME we went through the entire play with all of our technical things. I still had requests to do certain things with various sound effects or musical tracks. And we have no time. I mean, we are running eight lapel mics, two handheld wireless mics and over a dozen sound effects and musical tracks. All on a computer system and old sound system setup. And everything is suppose to be done by me.
    Oh yea, this should go over reeeaaallll well.

I want this kind of computer setup, right here. Oh yea, that’d be awesome. My movie workstation would be insane! I’d have more monitors then NORAD.

Ok, I should “toddle” off, getting sick again. Hopefully everyone’s doing better then I am. Have a good one; wish me luck and Merry Christmas! (I’ve gotta start saying that more often. Man, I haven’t even gone Christmas shopping yet. Too much to worry about…)

- Maddog
All i want for Christmas is you

Primal Fear

    I'm getting ticked at all these people who are raging against capital punishment. Man, I'm sorry. Tookie killed four people. FOUR people. Logically, he should die FOUR TIMES to repay that debt. If you remove someone from the Earth through total, un-justify-able violence, then you have a debt to pay. You owe a life. Yea, I believe in forgiveness and new beginnings. I also believe in consequences. And he had to pay the consequence, just like we all do when we commit evil. It's called justice. That's what happened today. Justice. If Hollywood doesn't like it, then go to Canada. We pretty much hate them anyways...

    Classic rock mood today. Stairway to Heaven, Another Brick in the Wall and Knocking on Heaven's Door were listened to many times. Feelin' old school once again... Don't know why. Maybe it was because I drunk some milk with some cookies today. That was like, hella old school. Dipping cookies in milk, how 1950s can you get! I just need to sit down on some cafe counter and order a bottle of Coke for a nickel. Oh yea.

    Finished some big assignments today and feelin' good. 'specially since I'm skipping a few classes today to see King Kong with Sarah. I mean, what could beat that. Nothing, that's what. I'll let you know how the Kongo movie goes.

    And Friday is the Numero Uno Homie Matt-Hues birthday. The Aging of the Matt was foretold in many prophecies to be the sign of the Coming Age Of Many Ninja Rip-Offs. Doom is upon Man. May God have mercy on our poor souls...

- Maddog
you're just another brick in the wall

Orange Juice

I love Orange Juice. Such a powerful, wonderfully tasting drink stemming from such a simple fruit. I think the old days of farms and fresh, un-chemical'd food were the best. Too bad the Jeffersonian ideal of an agricultural cultural didn't arise... Ah, progress.

Tuesday, several of my classes are all skipping and heading out to see Chronicles. It beats sitting through Mythology so I'm going with, even though I've already seen it. Such suffering is to be tolerated.... Wednesday I'll be seeing King Kong with Sarah, going into the Big City to actually view the thing on the best theater in the State. Perhaps we'll pick up a second flick while we are there as well. Oh, and getting surprise chocolate chip cookies is a good thing. A very, very good thing...

Once again, I'm horribly hyper. Too much pent-up energy. I didn't go to the Alaska Club today and workout, that means I've just got this drive to go, go, go. Much to the irritation of classmates and those around me. I really need to set-up my punching bag. I have no place to hang it and I feel the need to practice my martial arts and boxing bad.

I'd keep blogging but I'd much rather talk to Sarah then you guys. Oh snaps. I know that must sting...

Keep it real, my droogs.
- Maddog
baby it's cold outside

Variety

My commission still has yet to be paid due to them "not having the proper money allocated". They have two more weeks until a friggin' lawsuit.

Right now, the brand new Lost Season Two premiere just finished downloading This is very good and I'm floored with excitement. In addition, there's only 8 more days. So much to look forwards to.

Plus, I'll be taking a four-day road-trip down to Valdez in a couple of days with my Pop. Good chance to try out my truck, for we'll be camping in it along the way. Should be an awesome trip and it's suppose to have some great spots for photography. For as long as my dad has lived here in Alaska, he's never been to Valdez. Should be great.

I also learned that in October it looks like the entire Lovelace clan of men will be gathering in Tacoma, Washington to go to Promise-Keepers. I'm heading down there with my Pop and I'll be checking out the Western Washington University while I'm there. Not sure if we'll fly or drive just yet. I do want to head down to the Alcan, been awhile since I've done that.

Well, I'm off,
- Caleb
she's licking her lips, waiting for her first real passionate kiss

Wheelin', Dealin' and Chillin'

    Yes! My Word From The Editor is now done and up at Evermore. That's the second Word I've written for this issue after my First didn't go over too well with the Editorial Staff. At least it's done. As we speak, Ann's applying the Golden Touch to it, making my column appear as if it was crafted by the cosmos themselves, instead of a subsidiary.

    I'm heading into Anchorage here in a little bit. Chad and I will be meeting with Boy Scout officals to discuss Abstract Studios and other camp-related policies. We turn in all our important forms and stuff as well. Weeee!

    In other news, I switched to Audit on my Spanish course. Driving three hours a day to take one class at UAA is a little much. It was wasting a whole-half of my day twice a week just for a class that I'll re-take at APU. I don't have the time to really be studying as hard I as like for the class also, so it made good sense. I still will go to class whenever I can so I really know the material and smoke the class next year. This really is a massive stress-reliever and lets me focus on important things instead of extra-curricular activietes that aren't pivotal.

    Also, I'm loving my GI Joe cartoons. I bought a series while in Wal-Mart for my PSP. I'm currently trying to get them off the DVDs and into the PSP. I need a 1GB Memory Duo stick bad. I'll probably pick one up fairly soon. That way, I can cram GI Joe, Clone Wars, Firefly and Battlestar Galatica episodes on it for watching pleasure!

    .....such a consumer whore.