Challenge

Close your eyes. Think of someone close to you. Now imagine this person suddenly died today. How would you feel? How would it affect you? What are your regrets in your relationship to them? Try to convince yourself that they are really gone today. Immerse yourself in these thoughts.

Then, open your eyes. Realize that the person is still here among us. Realize that it is not too late to let them know how you truly feel. It is not too late to express your appreciation for their life.

Today's Thought

How saddening it is to know that it will take world-wide devastation for us to finally set aside our differences and work together.

Reflections In Time

In a casual conversation recently, my father had expressed a sense of guilt over the way he had handled certain things when I was a child. From bits and pieces of the conversation, I was able to extract the idea of being spanked for doing "bad" things - for example, accidentally spilling a drink, or not understanding what he was trying to say to me. I don't clearly remember these things. I don't even know if he is justified in feeling so guilty. I just have to assume a big part of it is an exaggerated, fatherly sense of protection.

If it's true that he really did punish me for common mistakes that every child makes, I don't blame him for anything. I never did. But after thinking about the things he mentioned after all these years, suddenly my life started making a bit more sense.

For as long as I can remember, I've been, in a sense, a perfectionist. Minor flaws upset me. Seemingly insignificant issues get under my skin. I let myself down every time I screw up; every time I don't know something; every time I make a mess; every time I show off my clumsiness to the world. I disappoint myself every time I think of the amazing people out there who have taken one life and done something to help this stunted world... knowing that there is no reason I shouldn't have done the same with my life. One person, no matter their origin, can truly make a difference in this world.

I am an extremely frustrated person. My frustration lies in my disappointment with the world around me. It mostly lies with myself. I feel responsible for each and every heinous aspect of this world. I could have done more to prevent it. I could have stepped up and done something about it. I know it sounds unreasonable, but I feel responsible for the world being as it is today.

This world is a sad place, so I try my hardest to look beyond it to the next. Our future is blurred, then clear, then blurred again.

My vision is not what it once was.

BJ Shea's 10th Anniversary Party

Ever since I moved to the Seattle area back in December of 2000, and checked out the local radio, I have been a fan of BJ Shea. His show - The BJ Shea Morning Experience on 99.9 KISW, the ROCK of Seattle - is the number one morning show in the Pacific Northwest.

BJ has been in Seattle for ten years now, and he and his crew threw a party at the Snoqualmie Casino to celebrate with friends and listeners. Dian and I had to check it out...



The Setting: Snoqualmie Casino Ballroom in Snoqualmie, Washington.



Getting ready for the party



Meeting The Rev (aka The Reverend En Fuego). His shirt cracked me up. It showed a midevil knight flipping someone off with the text, "Fuck Ye!", above.



With STP (aka Steve The Producer), a truly great guy.





Hangin' out



With Double R



Dian with Topshelf and 'Rock Girl' Katie



Bullshittin' with Toppy.



He was a really cool guy.



He received a gift from one of the listeners: Two copies of Mario Kart Wii. He had only wanted the two steering wheels for the game (one comes with each copy). So upon learning that we had also just bought a Wii, he made us a deal. He gave us one of the games and told us to go out and buy another steering wheel. He would do the same, and then we'd both have the game and two steering wheels. How awesome is that?!



Meeting one of my heroes, BJ Shea



He was one of the nicest guys you will ever meet.



Me, Toppy, Dian and Jared (a former member of the show)

Dian and I had a total blast. Not only did we get to hang out with the guys and meet them all, we also got to check out the fairly new Snoqualmie Casino, which we had never been to. We met some cool people, and even took home a free copy of Mario Kart Wii thanks to Toppy!

The BJ Morning Experience. A group of really great guys.

Never Too Late

Close your eyes.

Think of someone close to you.

Now, imagine this person suddenly died today.

How would you feel? How would it affect you? What are your regrets in your relationship with them?

Try to convince yourself that they are really gone today. Immerse yourself in these thoughts...

Then...

Open your eyes.

Realize that this person is still here among us. Realize that it's not too late to let them know how you truly feel. It's not too late for you to express your appreciation to them.

It's not too late.

What are you waiting for?

In 3-D

Some of us can only see through a red lens. Some of us can only see through blue. When we learn to see through both, we will finally be able to view and understand our world in new dimensions.

Walking Contradiction

On occasion, I feel like a walking contradiction.

I am an atheist who's intrigued by theology. The idea of time travel fascinates me, but I believe that time itself, as we know it, doesn't actually exist; it's merely a creation of man. I prefer hot weather to cold, regardless of my skin's reaction to too much sun. I throw with my right hand but kick with my left foot. I'm a peace-advocating person at war with the stupidity in the world. I have much to say, but trouble getting the right words out. I love animals, but I have no pets. I support animal rights, but I still crave meat.