Where Have All the Good Books Gone?

With school almost over, I am once again facing a disaster...I can't think of any books I want to read. So, what I need from you, my adoring audience, is a list of books that I would enjoy. I've read everything from Dean Koontz, E.E. Knight, Tom Clancy, John Ringo, Ben Bova, and a few others. If you give me an idea for a good book, I will consider your Christmas obligation to me fulfilled :)

Where Have All the Good Books Gone?

With school almost over, I am once again facing a disaster...I can't think of any books I want to read. So, what I need from you, my adoring audience, is a list of books that I would enjoy. I've read everything from Dean Koontz, E.E. Knight, Tom Clancy, John Ringo, Ben Bova, and a few others. If you give me an idea for a good book, I will consider your Christmas obligation to me fulfilled :)

Procrastination Station

I've been riding the pocrastination train for some time. Let me tell you, its a pretty bumpy ride, especially towards the end. Luckily, I'm pulling into the station as we speak. 60 pages of reports due in the past 3 days, and I'd done none of it by Saturday. They all turned out really good, so we'll see what happens. Looks like I'll be hopping back on for a short ride this weekend, then its time to hit the books one more time before the end of the semester. At least I don't have to worry about turbulence.

Reality and the Iraq War

Almost 4 years after the beginning of the Iraq War, what have we learned so far? We have no heart, a selective memory, and we've lost our minds. To date, 2,900 members of the U.S. military have died in Iraq. Add to that the 350 that have died in the Afghan offensive, and 3,250 of our soldiers have died in battle. What a terrible loss that is. I have known families who lost their son or daughter, and the pain and helplessness they feel is enough to bring you to your knees. I don't want to belittle their loss and our country's loss. I would be remiss, however, if I did not point out that this number is much lower than any major military action since the Spanish-American War of 1898.
My point? Our generation does not really have a grasp of war. Vietnam was the first time that the war was brought into viewer's homes. As those men and women began to realize that war is horrible, they predictably protested. And why not? For the terrible toll WWII took on American lives, it did not touch the collective American psyche the way Vietnam did. There was a clear enemy to fight. The news was scarce. The need to sacrfice on the home front meant those civilians had some grasp of what the soldiers were sacrificing on the war's many fronts. They were not, however, bombarded with video footage of soldiers missing arms or legs, little children screaming from shrapnel, the chaos of battle. Had they, I doubt that we would have had the resolve to finish WWII. We certainly didn't in Vietnam.
None of this is really suprising. At the beginning of the civil war, people brought picnic blankets out to watch the fighting - until they realized just how horrific war really is. For most of America's history, citizens have been protected from that knowledge by slow dissemination of news and by responsible journalists who understood the American mind.
The Persian Gulf War was different than any other war in American history. Often referred to as "the video game war", American's were once again distanced by the almost unrealistic view given from jets and night vision cameras. We saw no real suffering, and with a short campaign and only 382 Americans dead, this was a war we could accept.
Things have changed dramatically in the past 15 years. The internet, blogs, imbedded reporting, and specialized media have all contributed to the chinese water torture known as the Iraq War. Each death, complete with personal profile, adds to the tension. Each day without a death adds to our apprehension. Our will is being sapped one death, one day at a time. Should it be? Lets look at the facts.
Over the course of the war, 3,250 soldiers have died in Iraq and Afghnistan. That comes out to 18 deaths a week. Again, I don't wish to minimize the tragic impact that has on communities and families, but Vietnam had about 100 American deaths a week, the Korean War had about 182 American deaths a week, and WWII had over 1500 American deaths a week for the duration of the war.
Perhaps it is the circumstances that make these deaths resonate with us more. Instead of being on the offensive, our soldiers are now being stalked by determined snipers, picked off in groups of 4 or 5 by IEDs, kidnapped and executed by hooded assailants.
Whatever the reason, Americans are beginning to balk at this war in greater and greater numbers. For this, the blame lies squarely at the feet of irresponsible journalists. Rabid devotion to "the truth", rabid hatred for Pres. Bush, and an obvious gap between journalists and the public they serve has led to a callousness equal only to that seen in Vietnam. Their actions, more than that of al Qaeda or any other insurgent group, has sapped the American resolve.
At some point, I hope we as Americans begin to truly see the big picture. But I doubt it. We're too wrapped up in our personal vendettas to see that there are those who truly hate America and will do anything to see it fall.

Happiness

Of all the concepts humans have, happiness is the most confusing and the most elusive. We search for happiness in drugs, sex, alcohol, cars, toys, food, and innumerable other material things. I'm going going to lie - all these things will bring happiness. The problem is that they don't allow us to remain happy. For example, tell me about that party 6 months ago that was so cool. Recapture that feeling for me. Chances are, you can't. Same goes with everything on that list. True happiness comes through a few relatively simple things. Following the commandments of God, and helping other people. If you're a Muslim, great. If you're Buddhist, wonderful. If you're Christian, fine. Really following the commandments that God has given to you brings real happiness. Why? Because God loves us. If someone really loves you, they want you to be truly happy. Following God takes effort, but what in life doesn't? Are you willing to work for good grades? For a pay raise? For an award? Than why not for happiness?
Tell me the last time you helped someone. Chances are, even if it was 8 months ago, you'll be able to remember the details. Did you give someone a ride while it was raining? Did you help an old lady put her groceries in her car at the store? I bet you can bring back that feeling as you tell me the story. I bet I'll see a smile on your face as you tell it. That is real happiness.
Look, there's nothing wrong with enjoying a great dinner, really liking the new car you bought, or going to a fun party. Its just not going to make you really happy. Isn't that what you really want?

The Power of Sports

Someone recently asked me why I love sports so much. I knew talking about monster hits, circus catches, and walk-off homeruns wouldn't explain it sufficiently, so I've been looking for a way to explain the draw of sports to those who know nothing about them. Here it is. Sports allow complete strangers to morph into best friends, if only for a few hours. There is nothing like going to a game and sitting next to someone you've never met, then leaving 3 hours later knowing all the important details of their life. There is something about sports that breaks barriers of race, gender, status. If you don't believe me, go stand in line wearing your local team's colors on the day of one of their important games and see how many people strike up a conversation with you. Better yet, find someone in those colors and strike up a conversation with them. I promise you'll have fun. Why? For just a few minutes, you're more than just a person in line. You're family. That, my friends, is powerful.

Why I Like Christmas

Yes, I understand Christmas has become commercialized. Yes, I realize its lost its original meaning. And yet, there is something very special about the Christmas season that I don't see changing as long as humans care about each other. Maybe its the turkey from Thanksgiving, but there seems to be a fundamental shift in the way millions of people treat each other from Dec. 1 to Dec. 25th. I would bet there are more positive stories in the news, and perhaps even more positive acts done during those 25 days than during any other comparable time the rest of the year.

Whatever the reason behind the change, I like it. Alot. I wish we could find a way to keep that giving, caring spirit throughout the rest of the year. Does anyone have suggestions? What can we do to take better care of one another? I'm not talking about selling everything we have and living on the street, I'm talking about little things every day we can notice and help out with.

If you haven't seen Pay it Forward, that's a good place to start. Also, go look at the trailer for The Pursuit of Happynes(http://www.apple.com/trailers/sony_pictures/thepursuitofhappyness/large.html). Finally, get the song "I Celebrate the Day" by Relient K.

Sorry for being so sappy. I'll return to my normal, cranky self next time. Stay tuned.

Alex

American Idol Syndrome

You know what I'm talking about. At the beginning of every American Idol season, literally tens of thousands of people line up convinced that they are the next Idol. And yet, probably 90% of them (at least, the 90% Fox shows us) couldn't carry a tune if they had a gun up against their head. So, what makes these people delusional? Noone in their life has told them they aren't good. Now, there's nothing wrong with not being able to do something. I'm not a good singer or dancer, for instance. If I thought I was good, and I was about to go on a show where I could embarass myself in front of potentially millions of people, I would really hope someone I cared about cared enough about me to let me know I suck.
The reason I bring this up is because I see it on campus all the time. Guys sitting around playing the guitar or singing. Someone playing the piano. Look, if you're doing it to get better, I say go for it. But the middle of campus is not the ideal spot for practice. No, they're there so others can think how cool they are. Will someone please go up and let them know they aren't any good? I'd really appreciate it.

Alex

The Problem with Big Ears

Let me just say that having big ears isn't all its cracked up to be. Whats that you say? It isn't cracked up to be anything as it is? Well, then its even less than that. Its been freakin' cold lately, and that means I am miserable every morning. Walking to school means that not only are my ears ready to fall off, but that the rest of my face freezes as well. When your ears stick out as much as mine, they shed heat faster than a Pussycat Doll sheds her clothes. So what little heat I am making gets dumped before I can get warm. If you ever see me in the morning, and I look like I want to bite your head off, I probably do. At least you know why now, right?
I'm sure someone will say "But Alex, your ears aren't that big," to which I'll say...has your mom ever suggested surgery to make your ears stick out less? Thats what I thought.

Alex

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year...

...if you're a tow company or hospital. With the first snowfall, we're sure to see a flurry (get it?) of stories on car wrecks, auto/pedestrian accidents, etc. Why is that? Noone has common sense anymore! So to keep everyone safe this holiday season (whether its from an airbag or an enraged motorist, a black eye is still no fun), I'm giving you a couple ways to make sure you get to where you're going safely. Think of it as an early Christmas present and don't say I never gave you anything.

• If all the other lanes of traffic are stopped, perhaps you should stop as well
• If you're planning on turning left, maybe you should get in the left hand lane before you reach the intersection
• If you're walking home at night, and you're wearing black, don't assume drivers can see you.
• If you're walking home at night, and you're wearing bright colors, go back home and change...its not the spring anymore.
• Please don't slow down for no reason in the middle of the road

There you go kiddies...staying safe is easy! It also requires common sense, which might be asking too much at this point. Give me a couple months, and we'll come back and revisit this issue.