What Binary Day Meant to Me

NOTHING! Of course I'm referencing the third of the nine binary days set to take place this year including: 01/01/10, 01/10/10, 01/11/10, 10/01/10, 10/10/10, 10/11/10, 11/01/10, 11/10/10, 11/11/10. Or, their binary values: 22, 26, 30, 38, 42, 46, 54, 58, 62

Now that that's over with, how about an update on life south of the Mason-Dixon Line? Halfway through the first month of the 2010st year on the modern calendar and, well, not much has changed at all. Four months ago to the day was my last update, and really nothing has changed. So, let me break down the minor details of four days work.

We are now 3.5 months into the NHL regular season and the Devils are off to their best start yet winning 32 of 44 for a 32-11-1 record worth 65 points, 1st in the Atlantic Division, 1st in the Eastern Conference, and 3rd in the National Hockey League (1st if you go by point percentage). Need I say I'm very happy about that and a little shocked to be honest. The youngsters have come up and shown an effort that puts the higher paid players in a little bit of a light. I want to see more production from the big bucks boys. In any event, the Devils are coming off of a legendary performance by Martin Brodeur stopping 55 of 55 over 65 minutes and a shootout for a 1-0 victory over the rival New York Rangers. It was Marty's league-leading 6th shutout of the year, 107th in his career, and 4th in the past 10 games. Pretty incredible to see a guy that's constantly looked at as a used-to-be showing these wannabes how it's done. The Devils earned 6 of those wins on shootouts, something I still am hardcore against, but if other teams can take advantage of them, why shouldn't we? Anyway, there are plenty of my notes on that so let me get back to personal crap.

Well, I've got two kittens now. The night before me and Kami, more on that later, were to hit the one year together mark, I went to her place and we were going to hit our one year mark doing galaxy bowling at Patricia Lanes in Dothan. I heard something under Kami's brother's car... it was a cat. A dark gray tailless cat. Looked like it needed some food quick. Luckily, Kami's stepfather, the animal lover that he is, had some meow mix laying around and we gave it to the cat and she went to town on it. I decided I was going to bring her home. No collar, no tag, malnourished, so I figured it was either a stray or owned by a very uncaring person. I named her Luna because we found her at night and Luna is Latin for Moon. Well, take her to the vet, they say she's pregnant. Oh crap, so I get everything I need for that, keep her well-taken care of... time goes by, nothing. More time goes by, nothing. Now I've had her for over two months and nothing! Take her back, they find out it was just hookworm, two tablets and done. So much for that... so with that, I adopted a little black kitten about two months ago and named him Cosmo, again Latin for the Universe. He's a little ball buster that love to bust Luna's chops though they were anything but friendly in the beginning. She let him know she was invading on her territory with lots of hissing and a few swipes. But now they're friendly, but he loves to play pounce. Except he gets his brains beat in literally when Luna will grab his body, get his head near her back legs, and do the bicycle on his head. Greatest wrestling move ever! So yeah, he's now 2 months old and she, based on the vet's estimates, is probably about 10-12 months old.

On a relationship note, Kami is now staying with me at my house full-time and we make a great tag team. She'll feed the cats, I'll cook dinner, she'll do laundry, I'll clean the litter box... we just kinda divide the chores and get it done without any issue whatsoever. She's still doing the Tae Kwon Do with me and is on her 4th belt and I got her sparring gear for Christmas. Never really saw the real competitive edge in her until that as, even as a total beginner, she'll give me a little run for my money. But we've been having fun watching old TV shows, which are miles better than the shit on now, and catching some episodes of Ninja Warrior on G4 cause that show just rocks. We're still best buds, I don't see that changing.

I'm still employed and get a paycheck, other than that, nothing's changed. Trying to kickstart some kind of hockey program in the area but no sale there. That's really been it. I've been a lot less patient with useless drama than even 4 months ago, I really just don't want to hear it. I live my life the way I like, what other people choose to do with theirs is their business, but I don't want people stepping into mine.

With that all said, see you in four months?

Sutter vs. Lemaire and Midterm Grades

Here are some numbers for our team under Lemaire and under Sutter:

Sutter's numbers are for all 82 games of the 2008-09 season.
Lemaire's numbers are for the first 41 games of the 2009-10 season.

Points and Point Percentage:
Sutter - 106 points, .646 - 5th in the league
Lemaire - 61 points, .744 (at this pace they'd end up with 122) - 1st in the league

The Devils are averaging almost 0.2 points more earned per game than last year.

Wins:
Sutter - 51 - Tied for 3rd
Lemaire - 30 (on pace for 60) - 1st (Chicago has same number of wins but more games played)

Sutter had four shootout losses last year, at the halfway mark the Devils only have one

Goals Per Game:
Sutter - 2.90 - 15th
Lemaire - 2.85 - 10th

The Devils lost a little bit of offense, but are actually higher in the list. Though, injuries may have played a role in that, but it's made up by the next stat

Goals Against Per Game:
Sutter - 2.52 - 4th
Lemaire - 2.15 - 2nd

With Lemaire, the Goal Differential per game is nearly double that of Sutter's term. 0.70 versus 0.38.

5 on 5 For/Against Ratio:
Sutter - 1.25 - 2nd
Lemaire - 1.16 - 9th

Sutter probably had better sense 5 on 5, but see the next stats for a big change.

Power Play Percentage:
Sutter - 18.9% - 15th
Lemaire - 21.8% - 4th

Nearly 3% better on powerplays and jumped 11 spots

Penalty Kill Percentage:
Sutter - 79.9% - 20th
Lemaire - 83.3% - 11th

Nearly 3.5% better on penalty kills and jumped 9 spots

Trailing 1st Winning Percentage
Sutter - .368 - 11th
Lemaire - .579 - 1st

The Devils won over 21% more of their games when getting scored on first, in fact, they're the only team with a winning record when getting scored on first

So Lemaire signed on and he's shown his advantages over Sutter: Much better special teams, much more solid defense, and better resilience when giving up the first goal at the expense of a little dropoff in offense and 5-on-5 play. I'd say that Lemaire's back and he's in the same form as he was when the Devils whipped Detroit in 4 to take the Cup.

Midterm Grades -

My midterm grades will be a function of how the player is playing based on the money they're getting THIS YEAR (not the cap hit). So typically, a player will lose a full letter grade as his salary quadruples. In other words, an 'A' player at $1 million a year would get a 'B' at $4 million a year. These grades are not purely on numbers, it's about half numbers and half intangibles.

Forwards -

Patrik Elias: $6 million, 27 GP, 10-16-26, +14, B
Brian Rolston: $5 million, 40 GP, 13-10-23, +5, C+
Dainius Zubrus: $3.4 million, 20 GP, 2-5-7, -1, D+
Zach Parise: $3 million, 41 GP, 18-25-43, +20, A
Jamie Langenbrunner: $2.8 million, 41 GP, 13-24-37, +11, B+
Travis Zajac: $2.75 million, 41 GP, 10-21-31, +13, B
Jay Pandolfo: $2.5 million, 24 GP, 3-4-7, -5, B-
Rob Niedermayer: $1 million, 30 GP, 5-9-14, +5, A-
David Clarkson: $875K, 25 GP, 7-8-15, -1, B+
Vladimir Zharkov: $850K, 17 GP, 0-7-7, +5, B-
Niclas Bergfors: $790K, 41 GP, 13-14-27, -3, A-
Rod Pelley: $575K, 38 GP, 2-4-6, -5, C+
Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond: $500K, 8 GP, 0-0-0, -3, D+
Andrew Peters: $500K, 20 GP, 0-0-0, -4, F
Ilkka Pikkarainen: $500K, 26 GP, 1-3-4, -3, B-
Dean McAmmond: $500K, 22 GP, 4-6-10, +3, A-

Defense -

Paul Martin: $4.5 million, 9 GP, 0-2-2, +1, B
Johnny Oduya: $3 million, 26 GP, 1-0-1, +1, C
Colin White: $3 million, 41 GP, 2-7-9, +6, B+
Bryce Salvador: $2.9 million, 38 GP, 2-6-8, +8, B+
Matt Corrente, $850K, 10 GP, 0-0-0, 0, C+
Mike Mottau: $775K, 39 GP, 1-3-4, 0, B
Andy Greene: $725K, 38 GP, 5-18-23, +11, A
Mark Fraser: $500K, 33 GP, 2-2-4, +9, B+

Goaltenders -

Martin Brodeur: $5.2 million, 39 GP, 27-10-1, 2.14, .922, A
Yann Danis: $500K, 4 GP, 3-0-0, 2.00, .929, A

The High Honor Roll Squad -

Forwards: Zach Parise, Rob Niedermayer, Niclas Bergfors, and Dean McAmmond
Defense: Andy Greene
Goaltenders: Martin Brodeur, Yann Danis

And there you have it!

The Cure for PEOD

Welcome to another new update to the blog. Let me ask you something, do you ever sit at home one night and think "gee, why do I constantly get things just shoved onto me?" Or, "I wish I could take more control of life." If you do, you may be suffering from a newly found disease called PEOD. Perpetual Esophageal Obstruction Disease stems from constantly allowing things to be rammed down your throat. It's unhealthy and not all that pleasant. So what's the cure? SPEAK UP! When people try to jam their opinions down your throat, promptly stop them in their tracks and jam them right up their asses! We live in a society that wants to force you to believe what the majority believe. So many weak and useless peons fall into this trap and then bitch about the fact that they can't get out of it. The answer is easy! Just say NO! Society is like a drug addiction and the more you puff the cigar of society, the harder it is to quit. Here's some signs that you have PEOD:

1. You worry about the fact that you were already seen in a particular piece of clothing

Do you really think everyone remembers what you wore to a particular event? More than that, do you really think anyone cares? Stop being so self-righteous already.

2. You agree to do favors for others or act a certain way just to fit in

If people don't want you around or they only want you around to do things for them, fuck 'em. Plain and simple. You don't need to be anyone other than you for any reason. Be yourself, you'll be happier in the end.

3. You stray from saying things that society considers improper even in private conversation

Say what you mean and mean what you say. If someone's a fucking idiot, say they're a fucking idiot. Saying "he's alright, he just has a little difficulty sometimes with doing things" means absolutely nothing. Be honest or shut up!

4. You put way too much stock in the traditions of society

"Oh, it's St. Patrick's Day, I have to go to the bar and get drunk." Get a life buddy. The holiday is meant for the Irish folk anyway! Get your own damn holiday.

5. You update your Facebook status an average of twice per day

Do you think anyone out there really gives a shit about the fact that you just went to the store to pick up a dozen eggs and a gallon of fabric softener? NO! If you spend more than 30 minutes a day on a social networking site, then you don't have enough to do. Find a real damn hobby and stop wasting my 2 minutes a day on Facebook with your pathetic attempts at connecting with the world.

So do yourself a favor, be yourself, and say no to become a drone of society because we'd all be a lot better off. Thanks and have a great day!

NHL: Of East and West

When you look at the standings in the NHL so far this season, you see three things pop up at you. First, the cluster at the bottom of the Eastern Conference in which teams 8 through 14 are separated by a mere 4 points. Second, the cluster at the top of the Western Conference in which teams 1 through 7 are separated at a mere 3 points. Third and probably the least obvious, the fact that 8th place in the East is 6 points behind 8th place in the West. In fact, take the four teams ranked 5th through 8th in the East and all four are 6 points behind their respective position in the West. So why is that?

Interconference play used to be restricted to 10 games per team per year after the lockout. This year, it's back to the original 18, and I have an opinion on that later. So, more games are being played between East and West teams, and the results are nothing short of shocking.

The East has a record in those games of 55-61-15 for a total of 125 points and a point percentage of 0.477. The West has a record in those games of 76-39-16 for a total of 168 points and a point percentage of 0.641. Some may say that's an obvious showing of dominance by the West and that may be true. But let's look at this possibility: there are a lot of BAD teams in the East.

Of the top 4 teams in the East by points: Pittsburgh, Washington, Buffalo, and New Jersey... only New Jersey doesn't have a point percentage of above .500 but at .500. They combine for a record of 17-7-3 or 37 points (point percentage of 0.685). Of the top 4 teams in the West by points: San Jose, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Nashville... all 4 have done very well against the East. Their combined record is 25-8-2 or 52 points (point percentage of 0.743). Not nearly as devastating a difference as the overall records, but still a difference nonetheless.

So in the end, does that mean the West is better than the East? Overall, yes. Should you call the Western Conference Finals the Stanley Cup championship series? No way. Of the past 10 Stanley Cups dating back to 1999, 5 have been won by the West and 5 by the East. That decade, the Western conference seemed to be the dominant conference nearly every year. So let's look at more numbers.

The top 4 teams in the East have a record of 4-2-2 against the top 4 teams in the West. The top 4 teams in the West have a record of 4-3-1 against the top 4 teams in the East. Throw overtime losses and shootouts out of the mix since an overtime loss is a loss and a shootout doesn't happen in the playoffs and you have each side at 3-3. So who wins Game 7? Stay tuned!

Now, the NHL had a decent idea with the 10 team East versus West system in that there was a little more predictability in when you'd see which team. However, in the current 18 team East versus West system, 3 random teams are picked to be faced twice. I want the consistency back so here is what I propose and it's very simple.

Each year, you place each of the opposite conference's division into one of the following three categories for a particular division:

Play at home
Play on road
Play twice (once at home, once on road)

Then the next year, just rotate down, so for example:

Atlantic division for 2010-2011 plays:

Central division at home
Pacific division on the road
Northwest division twice

Then for 2011-2012:

Northwest division at home
Central division on the road
Pacific division twice

Then to complete the cycle in 2012-2013:

Pacific division at home
Northwest division on the road
Central division twice

In essence, the Eastern Conference teams would play each Western Conference team four times in three years and at home twice in those three years. It would increase the number of games in the season to 84 from 82, but shortening the time off between games would make that not an issue at all. Five days off between games is ridiculous, the max should be three or even two if at all possible. Take away the Olympic break and the NHL season is 179 days or an average of 2.183 days per game per team and a total of 97 days off per team Cut that to 2.000 and 82 days off per team and you save 15 days. Add the two new games and you still save 11 days. The Devils have 19 back-to-backs anyway so that 97 days off really takes place between 62 games (don't count last game of the season). So here's another formula (assume All-Star break doesn't count toward length of season):

Each team has:

20 games with zero days off after (including last game of season)
42 games with one day off after (add 2 for 84 game season)
20 games with two days off after

Total is 82 days off (84 for 84 game season) which reduces the 179 day season to 164 days, or 168 days for the 84 game season format and you still save a week and a half!

So that's my math and stats on East and West. Hopefully, the NHL will start to see it my way and put a little more predictability into the schedule. Till then, see ya!

Now the Italians Get Involved in the PC Debate

This is a quick hit... life updates will happen at a later point, but I want to voice my opinion on what's going on with the controversial MTV "reality show" Jersey Shore.

First, the show is about a bunch of beach-goers in New Jersey and it puts a bit of a "guido" spin on it in the trailers. Two Italian-American organizations are enraged by this because they believe it casts a negative light on the Italian-American population. Let me speak right up and say that I do not live through an organization nor prefer to have my thoughts and feelings expressed by said organization. I, myself, am a freely speaking Italian-American from the state of New Jersey.

Am I offended? No, and why should I be? Every single cultural group on this planet has its share of trash. White, Black, Irish, Italian, Jewish, Polish, Japanese, Chinese, Australian, Jamaican, Dominican, Mexican, Canadian, German, Swiss, Danish, Dutch, Indian, Russian, Ukrainian, Egyptian, Iraqi, Iranian, Brazilian, Peruvian, Venezuelan, Columbian, Panamanian, Yugoslavian... am I making my point here? Every single one of those groups has its share of garbage human beings. Many reality shows on TV involve showing the so-called lives of people that fit this category. Whether it be wannabe singers that couldn't tell you how many states in the U.S. their are but could tell you how many songs Kanye West is credited with or people with 8 kids that prior to could barely afford a bowl of soup for dinner, Reality TV is bullshit. Jersey Shore does not represent me as an Italian-American from New Jersey and neither does UNICO or the NIAF.

Two major point to be made here. First, if you actually believe that this is what reality is like then you need to go out and learn the way of the world. Going to the beach and partying all day is not reality, it's a pipe dream. Maybe for a month or two, but unless you're independently wealthy, at some point you might just have to work for your money. So there goes that argument.

Second, for people to think that all Italians are like this would just show just how stupid they are. I've been told I'm more the exception to the rule in an ethnic group that tends to go more toward business and law careers and stay away from the engineering and scientific arenas. But even still, I've got the credentials to slam in the face of individuals that try to attribute me to some trashy reality show. The NIAF and UNICO only makes it worse! They want Italians to be seen as intelligent human beings yet they're spending valuable time and resources whining about a second rate reality show on MTV. Give me a damn break! You want Italians to be seen as better people? Offer some more scholarship money so Italians can go to college and become further educated. Actions speak louder that words and nothing spells respect more than shutting up and showing people why Italians are who we are.

I can certainly say I have better things to do with my time than watch this garbage. That doesn't mean I'm going to waste any energy bitching about the fact that it's on. I don't like it, so I'm not watching it. If you don't like it, don't watch it either, but don't drag my heritage down with it.

Changes at the Quarter-Century Mark

I turned 25 a couple months back and I've noticed a slight change in myself that some may dislike but has made me a more confident and more solid person. My backbone grew tremendously, and for a good reason. I realize: I'm 25, I'm a home owner, I'm in a position where I can live my life the way I want to. The sad part is that I've been in this position since January of 2008. So why am I only realizing it now? Simple, things happen to make me realize the situation I'm in.

So here's the deal... anybody that previously thought they could manipulate me is in for a rude awakening and will be slammed very hard for it. This all may sound arrogant, but I control my own life and I will do what I please when I please. Most people will not see any change in how I am. But I figure, I'm in a good place and I won't let people try to poke and prod and manipulate me to pull me down. I have a wonderful girlfriend who supports me and treats me like a full equal. She may disagree with what I do sometimes, but she supports me regardless and that's the most important thing of all. Anyone that objects to what I may do... chances are I won't change so don't waste your breath. We joke at work about someone else being rigid and inflexible, well that's me too and I'm damn proud of it!

Work is work. Getting some more responsibilities and trying to weather the storms that come and go. It's a job, it pays well, and I enjoy it when I can do some real development type work. I'm even being given the opportunity to get my Microsoft Certified Professional Developer certification which is great news especially for the future. That's all I have for now on this avenue.

Anyway, me and Kami are nearing the one year mark set to be reached this Friday. Has anything slowed down? Not really. We're not any different than we were a month ago, or two months ago, or four months ago. Most likely, she'll be moving in with me beginning of November also when she tries looking for a job as a teacher's aide. She's so incredible with children, I think it'll work real well for her and I'd love to see her get a teaching degree, it can just be really difficult to do especially since where she'd have to go would be Dothan (45 minute drive). But I'll support her in any avenue she chooses for it or anything else.

She started doing Tae Kwon Do with me in about June timeframe and she enjoys it. She really enjoys when Mr. Cole will teach some self-defense techniques because then she can use me as her dummy. Not to mention my ass is great for kicking practice. But she's sweet... there's a bit of a competitive edge between us and that's what makes things fun. We're doing a lot more cooking together which is fun, cheaper, and healthier. We also have a full list of hockey games we're going to this year, which leads me into a sports review and finally, a rant.

On the soccer front, Italy has looked average at best lately and turned up a less than acceptable performance at the Confederations Cup in South Africa. They beat the USA, then took terrible losses to Egypt and Brazil. And in qualifying, they've looked so-so at best but still look to be in good shape to head to the big show next year. The US soccer team displayed a good showing beating Spain in the Confederations Cup, but blowing a 2-0 lead to Brazil at halftime just shows why the US team is still a mickey mouse team. Then they come home and lose 5-0 to Mexico in the Gold Cup final, a pitiful performance at best. On the baseball front, the Yanks look better than ever and may actually do something this year. I'm still nowhere near as big a baseball fan as I was, but I may watch some games closer to playoff time. On the football front, Giants win their first game in interesting fashion. They can't just shutdown a game, they have to make it interesting... On the hockey front, the Devils start their new season in less than a month. Their team looks better and will be more youthful so it'll be interesting to see how they fare. But, here is where the rant begins and it's rated R.

I was planning on switching to DirecTV so I could get NHL Center Ice in high definition and therefore watch all games in high definition. Well, MSG is no longer supplying HD broadcasts to NHL Center Ice subscribers outside the respective local team's markets. This includes MSG and MSG+. So, anyone outside the Devils, Rangers, Islanders, and/or Sabres areas will not see those games in high definition on Center Ice. It's not because of technological reasons, but because of a ridiculous contract dispute between the NHL and Rangers. Why the fuck is someone like Dolan allowed to control broadcasting for the Devils, Islanders, and Sabres? Fuck up your own team, but leave my team alone. But that's not the backbreaker because I've never had the Devils in HD. Versus was also pulled from the DirecTV lineup because of a contract dispute. So hockey fans are further punished by the stupidity of these contract negotiations. When is this fucking crap going to stop? So basically, here is where I stand as far as TV providers:

Time Warner gets - Versus in SD, NHL Center Ice in SD, no NHL Network
Dish Network gets - Versus in HD, NHL Center Ice in HD (some, but not MSG/MSG+ HD), NHL Network in HD
DirecTV gets - No Versus, NHL Center Ice in HD (all but MSG/MSG+ HD), NHL Network HD

DirecTV has the better prices to start out with and better potential for future savings, but I'm waiting to see what happens. The channel was pulled on September 1st and the season for hockey begins October 1st. I doubt the NHL will just stand back and watch 14 million subscribers lose access to their non-broadcast NHL provider. They seemed to not be really worried on September 2, but it's not September 14 and nothing is done. When do they step in? Soon I hope! All I know is I have a DirecTV install scheduled for September 26, and I will push it back or even cancel it if this issue isn't resolved. Still, I'd love to get these games in glorious high definition... except for the Devils of course. Fuck broadcasters, fuck cable companies, fuck them all. I have no use for this crap, none whatsoever.

Those are the updates, sorry for the 4 month sabbatical, enjoy!

Heading to the Record

Well, I haven't updated in nearly 5 months, so here's a quickie to wet your appetite and in classic style.

So, I went with Kami to a game up in Nashville, my first game at the Sommet Center and it was against the Devils. Devils won 2-1 thanks to a goal from the new acquisition at the time Brendan Shanahan. Me and Kami also went up to New Jersey for two games up there at the Rock, won them both. We also went to another game in Atlanta where the Devils won as well. So that put me at 5-0 in games I went to this year, my best record ever. Then it comes the playoffs and they look to be the beast of the east and blow two games in the last minute, one the pivotal Game 7. That was a real tough one to swallow and still hasn't quite sunk in yet.

Away from pro hockey, the local hockey scene seemed to get a breath of hope but it was quickly countered by a strangling blow. Another rink owned by two people, one person wants it and the other doesn't. Sad part is, his place made more money in those two hours we played hockey than the entire two days prior to. Oh well, his loss, but I still haven't played in a while and it's starting to bug me.

Now, what's been keeping me busy? I started teaching martial arts again. This time at an ATA school instead of WTF Tae Kwon Do which is what I had my black belt in. Instructor is a great individual, we have fun going out to eat after dinner and all. I converted my black belt to ATA so now I'm certified in two flavors of Tae Kwon Do. So I've been doing that Tuesday and Thursday.

My cousin and her two kids are at my parents' house and my notepad of how NOT to raise kids grows by the day. This includes negotiating with kids and not being decisive nor following through with any discipline actually dealt. They don't listen, behave, pay attention, obey, etc. I hate going over there because I don't want to hear the constant whining and crying over really stupid shit. Some people amaze me with regard to how useless they are, this one just takes the cake!

Kami and I are approaching 8 months together (my record) and still haven't clashed which is amazing. We had some fun with some craziness involving mushrooms, but that was just funny. She's the best though. We had a trial week living together and it was a definite success. I love the girl, best friend I ever had because we have so damn much in common! We also found a beach in Seaside, FL. A great little town that's kinda creepy but has a great beach, great little restaurants, and pretty cool buildings. Talk about weird. Check out www.seasidefl.com to see some pictures. But her and I cook together, watch hockey together, play hockey and soccer together, go to the beach together, we're just best buds that also happen to be lovers. And it'll be 8 months in 9 days, great times!

That's really all happening with me, the job is still normal with the same goofiness. That's about it! Catch you all later.

A Culture of Tradition and Stupidity

At the end of every day I ask myself three questions:

What did I improve on today?
What did I accomplish today?
What can I do better?

Actually, I ask myself those questions pretty regularly as things happen. I set out what I need to do for a day, and I get it done. Most times I don't wait till the end of the day or the start of a new day to fix something that needs improving or to set out to accomplish something. At this point, I'm sure the people that know me are jumping up knowing what I'm going for.

I am a man of realism and logic, looking at things for what they REALLY are versus how they are perceived. So, when people celebrate things that are otherwise useless except for an excuse, I get a little disturbed. Welcome to December 31, a day that most people see as the end of a year. They "welcome" in a new year, which is funny because time goes by whether we like it or not. Then they come up with this bullshit idea of resolutions, things to do better in the new year. If they're things that you needed improvements on, why didn't you make those improvements the moment you noticed you needed to make them? Why wait till some arbitrary point in time to do it?

Then, I hear about starting off the new year right. What exactly does that mean? It's not a hockey game, the score doesn't reset to 0-0 once a new year starts. Tell that to the people who lost their jobs because of the economy. Tell that to the people who got cheated on by their husbands or wives and can't get back on even footing. Tell that to the woman that just got raped and is having trouble getting her life back together.

I don't know about you... but absolutely nothing changes for me between December 31 and January 1. I still have the same job, the same bills, the same loving awesome girlfriend, the same possessions, the same issues, the same things I need to do. NOTHING CHANGES! The people that make a big deal out of this holiday are the same idiots fucking up this country to begin with. They see a problem, wait till an arbitrary date to fix it, and get so fucking drunk that they don't even remember what the hell it is they were supposed to do.

The other argument I've heard numerous times is that you celebrate it because you made it through another year. Well, then what's the point of your birthday? Celebrating that I'm going to 24 years, 5 months, and 8 days old on January 1? Try and find that on a birthday card.

It's another useless argument trying to promote a useless holiday meant to help bolster the sales of alcohol producers, restaurants, and clubs. You know where you'll find me? I'll be on my couch conscious and doing what I'd do on any normal evening. Society wants me to care, but I'm much smarter than society. I better myself 365 days a year, and you know what? I'm much happier because of it. Except I constantly have to deal with idiots dragging me down because they're too stupid to better themselves when it needs to be done and wait for a silly moment like this to do it.

So go ahead, welcome in 2009 with DUIs, deaths, unintended pregnancies, and promises you know you'll never keep. I gave less than a shit about the start of 2008, didn't bother with tradition or any other nonsense, and 2008 was my best year yet! Actually, the age of 24 has been my best age yet so far, we'll see when I actually celebrate my new year on July 24 and turn 25. So here's to my start of 2009, resuming exactly how 2008 ended, with me kicking ass and taking names. Peace out!

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Dodge, you can take life as it comes or you can grab life by the horns... Dodge.

And that's EXACTLY what I am doing. I see something I want, I don't just wait for it to come to me, I act it head-on and do whatever I can to make it happen! The only difference, I don't undercut people to get there. But anyway... a recap of the past 6 months:

Work is still work is still work is still work. Drama, drama and more drama. But other than that, I'm moving my way up the ladder getting more responsibility and harder tasks. I like it, computer programming in a sense is software engineering which is engineering which is solving problems. I like solving problems, it's why I did engineering. I'm making a run for a promotion in January, here's hoping! I'm picking up more side business for computer repairs which is great, except I hate desktops.

The hockey situation is such that I haven't played much at all, but I'm set to go to about 5 games this year: three in Atlanta, two in New Jersey, and one in Nashville. Wait, what? Nashville? You will find out in a few! We may start pickup hockey outdoors beginning in January, don't know yet. So that's hockey!

My social life is getting much better. I have a girlfriend now, a wonderful girlfriend, a superb girlfriend, and she absolutely trounces all my other previous girlfriends in terms of how good of a fit she is for me. She's very very sweet, that southern kind of sweet. She's very easy going, she's happy with simple things and she just does what makes her happy and doesn't go by how things are supposed to be. She's funny, doesn't mind my crazy sense of humor no matter how sick it gets, and she always makes me feel like I'm someone special! She doesn't drink, smoke, or hang out at bars. She's intelligent, not bitchy, and doesn't sweat the small stuff. She knows what she wants and is very decisive. Ready for the killer part of the deal? SHE LOVES HOCKEY! She's a bigtime Nashville Predators fan, but I got her to like Jersey and I watch Nashville games too sometimes. That's why we're going up to Nashville for a game, because they're playing New Jersey there this year. But our personalities mix perfectly and today is three months since we started going out. We met back in June and she was quiet in the beginning. But as she started opening up, sparks just flew, and we've been having the time of our lives ever since. I plan on bringing her with me to New Jersey end of February to see a couple of games at the Rock. But anyway, we're spending our anniversary tonight at a Japanese place which was how we first met. Her parents own one of the most successful and strangest stores in Dothan specializing in Halloween and random crazy other things. Been great so far, and she's got an adorable little dog named Koisy. He's a toy Australian shepherd. Other than that, I'm becoming friendly with more people, meeting more people, and doing more.

That's about all that's happening here. Getting ready for Christmas and then heading to New Jersey for my aunt's birthday party in mid-January, my first experience with frigid New Jersey Winter since Winter 2007. That'll be REAL fun. Anyway, that's all from here. I grabbed life by the horns and I'm loving it! See you folks, later!!!

Lower Interest Rates One Year Off

19 days till I hit the ripe old age of 24, Keifer Sutherland would be proud if he weren't drunk all the time. Now, this will be an update and a small rant about the shallowness of the American culture. Any given day proves to me two things... one, that people would rather see themselves progress regardless of how it may cost others... and two, people care more about how things seem versus how they really are. So anyway, before I get into that mess, let's start with an update shall we?

It's been just over 3 months since I went to New Jersey and so far things haven't really changed here at all. Work is work, the constant barrage of drama that makes working for the government such an adventure. No hope for the hockey rink just yet, the floor is destroyed so even if we were to get the green light, it would take a good while before it would be playable again. Once again, useless drama that causes unnecessary hardship.

This has actually been the story of the past few months, unnecessary drama that does nothing but annoy. Hopefully this will stop, but since we're dealing with the human race I give better odds on Hilary Clinton winning the 2008 election. Yes, I realize that's impossible... congratulations, you got my point. The love life is still stagnant, though I had hope in a long distance thing. Unfortunately, long distance relationships are only manageable if the outside drama isn't such that it causes extreme effects. Drama on both ends and a relationship never really materialized... will it in the future? I really don't know.

It's been a very workmanlike few months. The good news is, I get my escape back in just three months, then my cousins come back about three to four months after that. It's all a game of survival, and luckily I hold all the cards in my hand. Sure, being single gets rather lonely at times, especially when I have such a crazy set of interests. I'm not the type to do things by myself like going out or whatever, I get bored far too easily. But at least I'm in control of my own fate outside of my love life for the most part, so I can just play this survival game for a little while longer.

Now I'd like to talk about a phenomenon I like to call Surface-based Reality Transference Syndrome (SRTS). SRTS is a condition that stems from a person's belief that what's on the surface directly reflects reality. For example, people that believe that the hotter the woman is, the better the relationship will be. NOT TRUE AND I SPEAK FROM EXPERIENCE! My thing is with judging people based on how they look and how they speak. Here's a hypothetical for you:

You are a hiring manager and you have two interviews, of which you must hire one. The first guy is well-dressed, slightly arrogant, meets the requirements for the job but doesn't exceed them, and always speaks in office talk so as to avoid any possibility of offending anyone. The second guy comes in wearing jeans and a t-shirt, very motivated, exceeds the requirements for the job by a large margin, uses some choice language, but has a great attitude and willingness to do his best. My question is who gets hired? The first guy... why? Because he makes a better apperance. Who do I hire? The guy that's best for the job from a functional standpoint or, in this case, the second guy.

This world is all about appearance and that how things look on the surface directly reflect how things truly are. That's why everything in this world is as ineffective as it is, appearance over function. Last I checked, the human mind isn't studied based on the clothes a person wears or the way they speak. People like this are the people that ruin the human race's ability to function. Pointless bickering and bullshit over otherwise irrelevant issues led us to the state we're in today, controlled anarchy. Don't bitch to me about what's wrong in the world, cause chances are you helped cause it.

Peace out for now!