The Kind-Hearted Smart Aleck

I thought I'd take some time away from the crazy world of politics and write about one of my loves, one of the things which helps keep me reasonably sane despite the before-mentioned craziness - music. I have a wide range of likes when it comes to music. Growing up, my mom preferred to listen to oldies, while my dad opted for classic rock, and my family in Michigan listened to, what else, but Motown. My brother involved himself in jazz band, introduced me to some alternative rock bands. A few friends of mine enjoyed rap and/or country. Through it all, I've come to enjoy at least a few songs from every genre, including country, which is without question my least favorite style of music. Even so, though, I can't help but feel like rock 'n' roll runs through my veins. I loved it when I was a child and my dad played: Boston, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Alice Cooper, The Rolling Stones, Elton John, and Aerosmith from his record player, and I've been hooked ever since....

I thought I'd take some time away from the crazy world of politics and write about one of my loves, one of the things which helps keep me reasonably sane despite the before-mentioned craziness - music. I have a wide range of likes when it comes to music. Growing up, my mom preferred to listen to oldies, while my dad opted for classic rock, and my family in Michigan listened to, what else, but Motown. My brother involved himself in jazz band, introduced me to some alternative rock bands. A few friends of mine enjoyed rap and/or country. Through it all, I've come to enjoy at least a few songs from every genre, including country, which is without question my least favorite style of music. Even so, though, I can't help but feel like rock 'n' roll runs through my veins. I loved it when I was a child and my dad played: Boston, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Alice Cooper, The Rolling Stones, Elton John, and Aerosmith from his record player, and I've been hooked ever since....

During the summer, I received a summons to partake in a jury selection process on four separate dates from September through December. Prior to me venturing to the courthouse on the first three dates, I was informed that the cases had been settled. That wasn't the case on the fourth and final date, however, and I wound up sitting in a room of approximately 35 people Tuesday morning, of which 12 of us would soon be hearing and ruling on a legal case (14 including the alternates). While I was not one of the first twelve selected, after a couple of potential jurors were removed from their duties due to a variety of reasons, I was called up, asked a couple of questions by both the state and defense attorneys, and when everything was finalized, found myself sitting amongst the 12 jurors whom would be deciding the fate of the defendant. Each of the jurors were then handed pens and notebooks, were presented with both the state's and defense's opening comments, before we observe...

I've found that the term hangry is appearing more regularly in everyday conversation. For the two of you unfamiliar with the word, it means to become so hungry one becomes angry (yes, a hybrid of angry and hungry ). Given the ever growing popularity of hangry , I thought I'd try to get the ball rolling with a few other like terms. For each, I'll provide the definition and a sentence where the words could be used. Here we go... Bangry : To become angry over a decision made on the reality show, The Bachelor . Example: "Why in the sam hill did Jake not pick Delilah Doodymix? What the hell, Jake? What is wrong with you?!? I'm so f**kin' bangry right now! Ugh!" Bork : To become bored while at work. Example: "Hey, what are you up to? Me? I'm in the office, listening to 'Free Bird,' playing some FreeCell. I'm just so frickin' bork right now, you know? Oh, I gotta go. This hot new assistant just came in and will hopefully unbork m...

Is it just me or does it appear as common sense is ever so lacking? Heck, like with OCD, I wonder if almost every person has at least one uncommon sense behavior/habit. With some people, it's with regard to the concept of time. If a person has many errands to run in a given day and has to be back at a certain time, common sense would dictate that they should leave at a certain time when, in preparation for traffic or other delays, they'll have very good odds of making it back on time. Also, common sense would dictate that they should start their errands at the destination furthest away from home, and slowly work their way back home. However, there are times when people don't handle things in such a manner, and the person waiting for them back at home may sigh and mumble to themselves, "Come on... Why didn't you go the route I suggested? It's just common sense! Geez!" There are all common sense behaviors involved in: Cooking, cleaning, laundry, and pretty...

I personally wouldn't care one way or the other if homosexuality were innate or chosen, since I believe two people whom are in love with one another should be afforded the right to legally marry. However, if there is scientific evidence to document homosexuality as being at least partially genetic, then I think this provides LGBT supporters with a much stronger argument against religious individuals whom abhor such "lifestyles." Now I personally feel that homosexuality is mostly, if not fully innate in most to all cases. Science has slowly been showcasing significance in this theory. Even so, though, I stumbled across a comment on the debate just recently, which I wanted to mention and counter. In a recent Facebook debate on whether or not homosexuality was indeed a choice, I read one individual say, "I support gay people, but I chose to be straight with what I do with women. They may have had feelings they couldn't help for the same sex, but chose to be gay ...

My, wasn't that headline an attention grabber? How many guys read that, immediately clicked on it, and thought, "I'm going to discover the secret on how to find the love of my life!" or probably more accurately, thought, "I'm going to discover the secret on how to bang as many chicks as possible!" Well, sorry to disappoint you, but you won't be reading about such secrets in this blog. So, if that is what you were seeking, I suggest you run along now. ::waits for a couple minutes:: No, whether it be a friend or a friend with whom I've sought something more, I've held a certain power over women, especially in the past 4 years, I'd say. What's this power one may ask? Making them feel like world-class b*tches by always being good to them, and then when I turn around seeking their friendship or expressing my feelings for something greater when they've showcased in just about every manner that they're interested, and they turn me ...

I've been hearing a lot about "karma" recently. It's usually been used in the following manner - "Karma came back to bite him" or "Karma is a b**ch. Just wait and he'll get what he deserves." Now, I refer to myself as agnostic. While I don't believe there's enough evidence to state there is a higher power we call God, I also don't believe there's enough evidence to deny this being's possible existence either. As for karma, though, I think I have an even harder time believing it than the existence of a higher power. First off, let's look at the definition of the term: "karma [kahr-muh] noun 1. action, seen as bringing oneself inevitable results, good or bad, either in this life or in a reincarnation. 2. the cosmic principle according to which each person is rewarded or punished in one incarnation according to that person's deeds in the previous incarnation. 3. fate; destiny. 4. the good or bad ema...

I've learned that it is often times difficult to understand the human mind. Within each of our series of thoughts and feelings, there will likely exist at least one contradiction. However, while most outsiders may visibly see that contradiction, the actual person likely won't and in the end, that's all that really matters. So long as things make sense to that individual person, all other vantage points tend to be meaningless to them. However, we also can't look at these seemingly contradictory thoughts and feelings in pure black and white terms. Sometimes, while they may seem contradictory on some level or another, they may make a great deal of sense. One prime example of this is with regard to the taking of life. Most people believe that when one's life is being threatened, it is morally reasonable to take another's life in defense of one's own. We then get into trickier territory when talking about abortion, capital punishment, and eating meat. Man...

As I predicted in wake of hearing Mitt Romney's premature, ridiculous and false comments regarding President Obama sympathizing with the attackers in Egypt and Libya based on a statement made by the U.S. Embassy in Cairo, of which the president had no part, hours prior to the attacks.  In a Pew Research Center Poll, which was just released, it showed that 45% of the American public approve of how President Obama is handling the situation in the Middle East, while 36% disapprove - a net of +9. Mitt Romney, meanwhile, did not see such positive numbers regarding his reaction to the attacks. With regard to the comments he made, 26% approve and 48% disapprove - a net of -22. At this point in time, President Obama has a net +31 with regard to his Middle East reaction compared to Sir Romney's. Sadly for Mittens, the only group with which he scored better than the president were Republicans, who gave him a 58-11% edge. That was the only such group, however. Men and women approve...

"Connection" A feeling strikes me, As her eyes penetrate deeply into mine, All other persons and sounds drowned out, The crowded room becoming just she and I, With every word I utter, Her focus is solely upon me, Questions come my way, As I peak her curiosity, All my jokes stimulate laughter, Both the good and the bad, A seemingly permanent smile on her face, Whenever I'm around, She briefly looks down, Her cheeks redden, As another looks over and opens his mouth, Insinuating we're together, My heart quickens, As she touches my arm, My smile never leaves my face, When she's around, Deeply into her eyes I stare, Further into my heart she travels, Connecting with the woman for whom I long, Never wanting the moment to pass.

I gave Twitter a try, two opportunities in fact. While I think it can be useful for a business in spreading word about the Twitter-web and circulating certain information, I think it's a mentally-handicapped way of communicating with other people. Genuine thoughts and feelings shouldn't be condensed to any number, let alone just 140 characters. Limiting one's thoughts and feelings in such a manner may not be a crime on Twitter, but it certainly is in my mind. To illustrate the level of ridiculousness and mentally-handicapped-ness that is The Twitter, below I will list a series of well-known statements, phrases or quotes which are very commonplace in people's lives at some point or another and condense them into tweets (140 characters). Here we go... After one's arrest for streaking around a church on Easter Sunday, the cops would say, "You have the right to remain silent and refuse to answer questions. Do you understand? Anything you do say may be used agai...