walking around work today

I began to pay attention to my surroundings. I quickly realized that my surroundings only consisted of what was in front of me, and what I could see in my periferal vision, the 180 degrees ahead. Concentrating on my vision behind me, I realized that there was nothing. Not even black darkness. I can imagine what should be behind me, but I can't be sure that it is actually there. If I turn around really quickly, then what is now behind me is new.
Then I got to thinking what I could remember from before I was born. Then I quickly realized, I couldn't remember anything. For good reason. Perhaps the same reason I can't be sure what exactly is behind me.
What am I getting at? Well, if we already can't comprehend what is behind us as "advanced" humans, it shouldn't take much imaginination to fill in the other 180 degrees in front of us.
Perhaps, when we die, our personal world simply fills in that remaining 180 degrees.
Perhaps, when we die, our personal world fills in the 180 degrees we can't currently account for.

You and I are not alone

According to Science Magazine, two NASA scientists claim to have proven that there is in fact Life on Mars. TODAY. As we speak, something is breathing, or doing something similar in order to keep itself alive.

The scientists aren't releasing their proof to their findings, but they say they have discovered methane on the red planet. Methane, as you well may know, is a biological gas. A natural bi-product of life. The reason we spend millions of dollars on air fresheners and power windows.

Although water hasn't been seen on the planet's surface, it's hard to say what is below ground. Perhaps a complex system of tunnels, secret passage ways, and hidden doors. Or that may just be in Vietnam.

Tomorrow, I will be on my way to purchase some binoculars, and will look into getting my pilot's liscense. Know of any good freeze dried ice cream recipes?

I'll fly us to Mars. You bring the Tang.

Goodbye, Gonzo

A farewell to an American Icon, Hunter S. Thompson.

"The Edge...there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who really know where it is are the ones who have gone over." Hunter S. Thompson

And so he has.

Perhaps it's a tragically fitting end to a full and unique life. Although, most of us never expected such an end, I would assume few are completely shocked.

Goodbye, King of Gonzo.

A Jack Russell is never too far from a ball, even if it's her first.

It's all Rosie

Welcome, Rosie, the newest member of the Randle family.

Musical Euphoria

I've grown the habbit of listening to Radiomargaritaville online. For those who don't know what that is; it's Jimmy Buffett's online radio station. I'm a Parrothead, and I like all of the other music the station plays.
Tonight happens to be a Thursday. The station broadcasts all of Jimmy's concerts live on every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
One of my favorite song writers covered one of my favorite songs, which I believe I listed on a previous post. Jimmy Buffett played Jack Johnson's "The Horizon Has Been Defeated."
Although he seemed to momentarily forget some of the words (it's a somewhat segmented song), hearing him sing it was a little surreal. Perhaps it's similar to seeing your high school math teacher at the grocery store. She doesn't really belong there. She only lives in the classroom. Is there someone you are supposed to call when you discover she's escaped from her cage?
I like root beer floats. Black Cows, as my Grandfather used to say.

Congrats, Discovery Channel

I just finished watching a Discovery Channel program entitled "It Takes a Thief". And, in fact, it does.

During the first 20 minutes, I was disapointed in the program. My assumption was that the the network was going to give tips on how to easily break in to a house. Apparently, it is easier than you would think. The fact is, you're not a criminal. Burglars are smart, crafty, and, well, smart.

Such was the person who broke into our house, years ago. We were in Florida. And we never assumed the worst. The worst happened.

I have a distinct memory of standing in our dining room; my dad saying "Scott, go down to your room, and tell me what is missing". Unfortunately, to my eyes, a lot was. My boombox, which I just recieved that Christmas, was gone. As was my entire baseball card collection. I had been collecting those cards for years, religiously categorizing them by team, then year.

Most of my parents' electronics, jewelry, weapons, silver, and otherwise valuables were gone. Thanks to that gutless bastard.

"It Takes a Thief" was perhaps the most 'real' show I've seen in a while. The reactions of the family involved were seemingly honest, although their possessions were never actually taken. Their dreams never stolen. Their history never erased.

To those of you reading this; I have some suggestions.

1. Use your deadbolt. If you don't have one, get one.
2. Lock your windows. Then, put bars across them.
3. Video your entire contents. Lock them in a vault away from your house. In case of a fire, or a burglary, it will come in handy.
4. Inform, and tell the Cops to patrol your address when you are gone.

Let's pay attention, people!

Several months ago, I witnessed a near collision between a motorcycle and a Sport Utility Vehicle near my house. The motorcycle was traveling in the opposite direction as me, in the left-hand lane. The SUV was traveling in front of me, when the driver suddenely decided he was going the wrong way. The driver quickly crossed over the two opposite lanes, and pulled into a parking lot. The driver then decided to immediatley pull a U-turn right in the entrance of the parking lot, and pulled right out in front of the motorcycle. Fortunately, the motorcycle driver happened to be paying attention, and traveling around 35 or 40 miles per hour, managed to dodge the SUV. The SUV pulled in to a church parking lot nearby. I never knew what happened between the two, because the light turned, and a cop showed up. Don't worry, the rider was fine.
But, unfortunately, not everyone is so lucky. My good friend was hit by a car last week, while riding his bike. The driver, in a SUV as well, somehow managed to hit his rear tire, knocking him off his bike, crashing him to the pavement. Fortunately, he was able to go home the following day.
But, unfortunately, not everyone is so lucky. A family friend was killed by a car a couple years ago, while riding his bike. The driver, not paying attention, hit him dead-on. Apparently in a panic, the driver sped off. Friends of our friend managed to get the liscense plate number of the hit-and-run driver.
There are two morals to these stories.
1: PAY ATTENTION WHILE DRIVING
2: ALWAYS WEAR A GOOD HELMET
Both will save your brains.

creative solutions for a computer idiot

It seems the link on my previous post was no good. The computer gods are not smiling on me tonight. So, I got creative, and using my phone, took this picture of this picture, along with the original journal entry. Should have done that in the first place.

North Lighthouse Hike

The following is a journal entry I wrote in the summer of 2001. I remember exactly where I was sitting, the view in front of me, and everything else in my life behind me. At the time, I knew why I was only able to write two paragraphs about the meaning of life. I had someone to smile at, and bears to chase.

Watching each wave find its ending place on the rocky shores of Grand Island allows me to question the meaning of life. Is there such a thing? Scientists think not, poets think so. As such ideas are personal ideals, we as individuals live our life as we want. Regardless of luck, we find a way to shape our own destiny from a larger predetermined agenda.

After a long journey, each wave hits the rock and is finished. After our own journey, we all will shut our eyes one final time. What we do after we first open our eyes until then is what I believe the meaning of life is. Simple.

My feeling is that some of you have mentally created a soundtrack of your life. Something people might play while they flip through a scrapbook of cosmic photos of yourself. Songs that mean something to you, which have affected you in some way that only you could ever understand. Songs that bring tears to your eyes, pump you up, or can't fall asleep without hearing. Songs that remind you of that one person who you let slip away, or which happened to be playing during your first kiss.
I have spent hours, (usually on the road) creating such an album. What follows is an incomplete list of songs and their respective artists, which when played, seem to stop me in my tracks. They are in no particular order. I hope you share some of my taste, or will come up with a list of your own.

“False Echoes” Jimmy Buffett
“Annie Waits” Ben Folds
“The Next Movement” The Roots
“Beautiful Disaster” 311
“Happy Hour Hero” Moe.
“The Woman in You” Ben Harper
“Kashmir” Led Zeppelin
“Almost Cut My Hair” Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
“Martyr” Rusted Root
“Sirens” The String Cheese Incident
“Consequence” Incubus
“Wish You Were Here” Pink Floyd
“Kenny” MMW
“Don’t Look Back” Van Morrison
“Straight to Hell” The Urge
“The Horizon has been Defeated” Jack Johnson
“Forty-Six & 2” Tool
“Down With Disease” Phish
“Cheap Motels” Southern Culture on the Skids
“Bend in the River” Leftover Salmon
“Crawling in the Dark” Hoobastank
“Fake Plastic Trees” Radiohead
“Amy Hit the Atmosphere” Counting Crows
“She Gathers Rain” Collective Soul
“Tequila Sunrise” Eagles
“Ohio” CSNY
Anything of Nick Drake