Mind Over Matter

Every so often we press ourselves to the limit of what we feel is humanly possible, then we get a second wind pushing us farther than we thought we could go before. The mind and its abilities are something we tap into when fatigue sets in, it’s the mind that helps get us that next mile or that extra weight repetition. What we’ve seen recently by magician David Blaine is a true testament to what the mind can accomplish.

David Blaine has an impressive internal fortitude to say the least, without the proper mindset I doubt that he would be able to accomplish the things that he has been able to. Imagine yourself encased in a block of ice, how long would you last? I know I probably couldn’t last very long…He lasted 61 hours 40 minutes. That’s an incredible amount of time, a little more than 2 and one half days…very impressive.

How about hoisting yourself on top of a pillar 90 feet in the air, now once you get over your fear of heights you realize you have nothing more than 22inches to stand on. I’d try to balance up there, but I’m sure I would fatigue in 3 hours which is a pretty reasonable amount of time. He did 35 hours without food or water, and without anything to lean on. Again that’s pretty darn impressive

Now what if you decided to fast for a day, or maybe there’s the prom or some other social event that you need to get in shape for so you fast for a couple days. How about 44 days? Not possible you say, well you guessed it he did that too in the confines of a box smaller than a prison cell. He also lost about 54 pounds.

His latest feat is also a true testament to one’s mental stamina, staying submerged in a sphere of water for more than 170 hours. I can’t stand being in water for more than 1 hour let alone 2, my hands look like raisins and it just gets a little uncomfortable. He did have a nightcap for this accomplishment as well, trying to hold his breath for 9 minutes. He fell about 2 minutes short of his goal but 7 minutes is not shabby by any means.

In all this is the extreme of what mental stamina can do, we use it in daily tasks to overcome adversity in different ways. Having a healthy mind can help you overcome many obstacles and having a calm inner being truly does help.

“Our truest life is when we are in dreams awake.” - Henry David Thoreau

The Family Dinner

Now and again I think back at things that at the time didn’t seems significant but now I wish that these occurrences happened a bit more often than they did. Family dinner for one is something that I wish happened more often way back when and I think it’s something that many people, kids and adults alike take for granted.

We’re fortunate enough in this country to more or less have dinner every night in one way shape or form. All too often though we see the kids grab some grub from the stove and head off to sit in front of the TV while mom and dad munch away off on the side.

Why is it that families don’t sit together more often and just be a family? I’m not so sure, everyone’s agenda is always pressed, and everyone always has something to do. Family dinner is something that as a kid you can care less for, I mean it’s not cool to sit with the old folks and eat, right? Well when you get older you start to appreciate that time that you got to spend with your “old folks” because it’s time that you can’t really get back once they aren’t around any longer.

I’m fortunate enough to have both my mom and dad still around but I’m not able to have a simple meal with them any time I want since they are far away. I do however remember how nice it was to sit with them and just talk about how my day was, even if it did stink.

So please, put down the remotes and gather around the table. Sit with your ma’ and pa’, just for dinner. It’s time that you will remember later on, and it’s time that you can’t get back once it’s passed.

Flashback Friday: Inspector Gadget

Imagine that you’re a lanky sort of fellow, grey suit, mechanical body parts, obsession to save the day but you aren’t too coordinated, what does that make you? You guessed it, Inspector Gadget. Cut scene to the shadowy image of Dr. Claw stroking his pet Madcat after another foiled plan …”I’ll get you Gadget”… Who can forget that?

Now what would Gadget do if he didn’t have his mission, and none other than Chief Quimby would give him the mission on an exploding piece of paper. Gadget would quickly read the message which at the end would always state “This message will self destruct…”. Gadget would then turn and toss the paper away only to blow up the Chief, poor guy.

Inspector Gadget didn’t solve his missions alone, heck he never really solved the problems but somehow managed to get credit for the save. Gadget was fortunate enough to always be accompanied by his too-smart-for-her-own good niece Penny and trusty dog Brain. The combination of Penny and Brain usually led to the problem being solved and the troubles investigated, while Gadget’s hijinks only led him astray from the real problem until finally stumbling his way into the solution or nabbing the bad guy.

Now Gadget did stop the villains, however he wouldn’t be so effective if he didn’t have his slick gadgets that popped out of every place imaginable. Magnifying glass, pen, laser, you name it he had it available in his arsenal. You never know what he would pop out with next.

There was also a more recent resurgence of the Inspector with some movies that appeared in 99’ and 03’. The movies looked ok but neither of the movies translated the original cartoon just right.

You can check out that famous intro music in the follow link.. Inspector Gadget TV Intro.

Until next time…Go Go Gadget Copter…

American Phenomenon

It almost seems as though you’d be living in a bubble if you haven’t at least heard of American Idol. This rating juggernaut was something I tried to avoid for one reason or another but have found myself smitten by this years cast of singer hopefuls.

From the beginning of the show season I was checking out the hopefuls from the different cities. I guess what captivated me most about this portion of the show was the awkward and brutal way Simon would violate these contestant’s confidence when they couldn’t “bring it” when they had their chance. Thankfully there wasn’t a “William Hung” guy in the show this time around, it’s cheesy enough that he actually had an alblum and we don’t need another…please.

The following 2 rounds after the city search leave something to be desired really, it’s just a waiting game until you get to the real meat of the show. The big stage as it’s been billed is the better part of the show since you’re saved from hearing karaoke renditions of songs you once thought were good, but not so much anymore because you can’t look at it in the same light after watching the show.

It is rather interesting to see the big stage in full effect mainly because the “idols” can train with some of the world’s best singers and for the most part it does show. Some of these idols can actually sing pretty well and it’s enjoyable to see those you feel did well succeed as well as hearing those who didn’t up the ante get ripped for not leaving it all on the table. It makes for a good show and the elimination factor does put an edge to the “must see TV” moniker.

I typically don’t buy into the hype and just watch what I enjoy watching. Now I don’t know why I didn’t really enjoy watching Idol before, perhaps it was the fact that I didn’t care to watch it that made me indifferent to the show. Needless to say I’ve changed my tone this year and find a good amount of entertainment in watching.

Internet Fads

We’re in the information age and sooner or later you’ll get smitten by the latest internet fad that’s sweeping cyberspace. Faster than a boy band gets shown the stage the fads are here and gone. What’s the deal with all the crazy fads? All your base are belong to us? Chuck Norris? You’re the Man Now Dog? Leeroy Jenkins? Star Wars Kid?...There’s just too many to list but we’ll go ahead and break down a few.

Ok now some of the fads are funny, All your base are belong to us now that’s just tacky. It’s just a bad translation that someone thought would be funny to show the rest of the world. It was only relevant in the UK since US never saw that horrible translation of Zero Wing for the Sega Genesis. It’s a bad translation no more no less, watch a dubbed Kung Fu flick and get over it.

Did you know Chuck Norris can divide by zero? No not really, but in the magical world of internet phenomenon people believe he can. I don’t want to dispel any myths or rumors about Chuck Norris but it seems as though Chuck knows of his new found internet fame and posted a response on his website which can be found here. Although, if you want to see where all this crazy talk came from you can check it out here…

Leeroy Jenkins, probably the most famous online game player this side of Fatal1ty. Best known for his antics while in a group in game and on team speak. The group is devising their master plan in order to combat a difficult area and he just rushes in without rhyme or reason. It’s one of those scratch your head moments but I suppose it got enough people’s attention since Leeroy is a fad in itself. Heck he was even featured on Jeopardy in a question. I don’t know about making heads or tails of it but I did get a laugh out of watching the famous clip…once…

In all, the internet gives society a new ground to base our information assaults on the masses. Sometimes these trivial thoughts, ideas, and concepts turn into huge fads because of the mass of people who think it’s the new hotness. Thankfully just as the boy bands faded into obscurity these fads will as well….And not soon enough…

Everyone Is An Immigrant

I woke up Monday and finished my normal morning routine, got on the road and it just felt different. The roads in San Diego were quieter than normal, but I couldn’t put my finger on why. I looked at the calendar when I got to work and realized that Monday was “A Day Without An Immigrant” day dubbed by immigrant right activists against the planned immigration bill.

The reasoning that I have been hearing all too frequently is that illegal immigrants work the jobs which no Americans will work. I don’t believe this to be true at least not 100% of it, there’s too many homeless, starving, and unemployed people in the United States to say this is true. People who are in those types of situations, who are U.S. citizens should get a first chance at jobs that illegal immigrants work (farming, food service, etc.).

If I recall correctly, Mexico has a free border into the States. People can come and go as they please and we don’t exactly stop those who are illegal from entering our States. Why is it that if we see a boat full of Chinese coming from abroad we intercept that boat and turn it around? That sounds like a double standard if you ask me.

Now it’s everyone’s right to immigrate to any country, humans are almost nomads by nature but if there are rules, regulations, and prerequisites prior to earning your right to be in a country then those rules should be followed. Some may feel that these rules are unfair and unethical but in reality everyone had to go through it at some point in time.

It’s an inalienable right that everyone should be treated with decency and respect legal or not. The line is crossed however we point fingers at those who are illegal, however those who are illegal however should respect the country which they are trying to be a part of and get proper paperwork to allow their stay in the United States

We’ve all had to go through it at one point or another, maybe not you in particular but someone in your family. Allowing anyone who is in the country to stay illegally and gain legal status on a whim as many propose just isn’t acceptable. It discredits the things that our mothers, fathers, grandmothers, grandfathers, and so on believed in when they worked their knuckles raw to get an opportunity for a better life in the United States.

Everyone in the United States migrated here at some point in time. I don’t recall looking in my history book and hearing of human civilization in the Americas prior to the land bridge allowing Chinese and others from the Far East to cross over. So we’re all immigrants in some way shape or forum. It’s ok to be an immigrant, just follow the rules and do it the right way.


I'll leave this entry with a quote...

"Little minds are tamed and subdued by misfortunes; but great minds rise above them." - Washington Irving

Summer’s Breeze

Spending the weekend in mid 70 degree weather and partially cloudy skies reminds me that summer isn’t too far away. With that in mind I have to mention that summer is an enjoyable part of the year that many of us look back on with fond memories…

Summer’s rolling in so let’s go down the checklist…

BBQ…CHECK

Sunscreen…CHECK

Alcoholic Beverage…CHECK

It’s a great time to get an early jump on some of the must haves for the summer, but I’m sure that many of you have these items already. And let’s face it, what’s summer without the BBQ. The beaches littered with the sizzling sound of various meats and veggies on the grill with plumes of white smoke sending signals of “come and get it”.

Summer grilling is one pleasure few can pass up. Gathering around the pit with the resident grill meister (I.E. Me), some friends and occasionally a beer or 5 isn’t a bad thing. Spending time with friends and summer seem meant for each other, it definitely feels like a social time of the year which could be attributed to the weather. Although in Southern California we’re blessed with mid 70’s weather all year round there just seems to be a different aura about summer in So. Cal.

As I recall some of the most fun I’ve had in summer hasn’t actually come from being outside per se, but in a car. No not in that way. I mean road trips, yeah you know…the ones that send you countless hours in a direction that you don’t quite remember but you just keep driving anyway. I think it’s the camaraderie that occurs with friends after the countless hours behind the wheel that’s the best. Put in those songs of summer that you remember so well and just drive…

So be safe and put on some sunscreen because I already got burnt…