Crossroads

My wife and I are at a major crossroads in our life. We’ve been married a year now, lived in our apartment for almost a year now, have been graduated for a year now, and have been working for a year now. We have done so in a day-to-day fashion. About the only long-term planning we have done is saving money. We’ve been saving for several things—a dog, a car, a house, emergency, etc.—but nothing specific. Our one-year lease is almost up and we have to decide to stay or move. We love our apartment, but we want more. We also want to save to do bigger and better things, so we will probably stay and save more. Neither of us are doing anything that deals with the degrees we received from our respective institutions of higher education. I am a data entry clerk and I do just that, I enter data. My wife just got a new job, a more permanent job which gives us the ability to do more. We’re still deciding what we want to do next because neither of us wants to stay in these jobs long-term (5+ years). I have had a door opened for me that I hope will lead to a new, better job. My wife has found a graduate program that she would love to pursue. Both would give us an opportunity at a “real” career or at least a glimpse of one. Yet at the same time we have a dream. Not the Dr. King kind, but similar. We both have a desire to live and to experience. We don’t want to just travel the world we want to live in various places throughout the world. We’re not content with living in Norfolk, in Virginia, in the eastern United States, or the Western hemisphere. We want to go and do. The first place we would live would be Europe and most likely England. When we tell people about that wish and they respond “Why?!” I can only think “Why NOT?!”. There is so much to the world, so many corners and niches to find that it would be a crime not to search for them. We are at a crossroads in that we have to decide to do what we want to do or do what previous generations say we must do. But why should we be forced to live within their parameters? It’s our life; we are the here and now. We are the ones that can change and are changing the world. Maybe the problems that previous generations faced and the problems our generation is facing is because a lack of understanding of the world. If previous generations understood the world and the various cultures/people within it do you think there would be such divisiveness between Christians and Muslims? They have been divided for centuries, but not for the reasons they are today. They first divided over doctrine and land—the Holy Land—because it was sacred to both. I don’t think either should stake claim over it, for the world is not one persons or a particular groups. Today, they are divided because of ignorance. Neither culture understands the other and therefore neither culture respects the other. So maybe my wife and I can change the world by living, going and experiencing what the world has to offer. Maybe respect is the key to solving the world’s problems. For with respect comes understand, with understanding comes cooperation and with cooperation comes an ability to solve our problems together.

My wife quoted me a study that said our generation would change professions/careers 7-10 times before they settled on one. Instead of previous generations where they basically have had one, maybe two jobs their entire lives. My wife and I are at a crossroads—do we live our life the way we want, pursue what we want; or do we let others dictate where we go and why?

Lack of Motivation Sucks!

I haven’t blogged in God knows how long—since March 23rd actually. Anyways…. It has been awhile since I’ve written anything because I have been lacking motivation in a lot of things. Except beer, ironically enough. Not the consumption of it, so don’t worry I’m not an alcoholic. I have started a trend for myself where I get a different beer each time I go out. My wife and I usually pick a place that will provide us options and we have found a few places that offer a wide variety. I’m like a kid in a candy shop when I see a lengthy beer list. My eyes dart all over the place. I don’t know where to start. I don’t mind if it is dark or light, hoppy or not—I want to try them all. My only hang up is fruity beers, or as Colin Farrell’s character in In Bruges calls them, gay beers. Regardless, even those can be delicious. A friend of ours got one that was Watermelon flavored. I kid you not; it tasted like a Watermelon Jolly Rancher. So far I have fallen in love with a few of my recent discoveries. Trois Pistoles, I tried it last year on my birthday and it is by far my current favorite. If you find it, try it. I stake my reputation on it. Another favorite is Delirium Tremens, which (I’m sure on purpose) is the name of the condition that occurs when alcoholism has reached the point of no-recovery. My wife got a semi-regular that I had never tried and I found it rather delicious—Smithwick’s—it was so creamy! I also tried a Weihenstephaner Hefeweizen and a Paulaner Hefeweizen. At first I didn’t enjoy the taste the cloves brought to the party by the Weihenstephaner, but it began to grow on me with the Paulaner. I also tried a dark ale called Arrogant Bastard Ale, it was heavy and probably wasn’t the best choice as a third beer and after I had close to half a pizza, but it was good nonetheless. I have also been passionate about starting my own microbrewery. I have compiled a list of 16 different beers that I want to brew, but I don’t have any of the equipment. Frankly, I don’t have the slightest clue about how to brew beer. Whatevs, I’ll figure it out. I just found out that a microbrewery opened up just a few streets away from where I live! I want to go, but it’s not open to the public. I would love to be able to learn from the guys and it sounds like they are pretty open about helping fellow microbrewers.

Stay tuned for more on my microbrewery. I almost have names and types for each of my 16 beers with potential flavors.

History is our Greatest Teacher

I understand how people feel. I see their point-of-view. I get that people don’t want to pay more in taxes. They are afraid of bringing in less money than they already do. We all are. No person wants to be poor. No person wants to feel like they are drowning. Everyone wants to be able to take care of themselves and their family. That is why I support the health-care bill. My tax dollars already go to pointless, frivolous spending that President Obama has no part of. Example 1: The Iraq War. Enough said. Why do we spend money trying to impose our will on people/kill them when history shows time and time again that it just won’t work. Forcing your culture and way of life on a group of people never turns out well for either group. The British tried it all over the world and they only remain in very few places; small places, insignificant places. They were defeated by their colonies/trade posts in the Americas and in India. In India they left with a little more dignity rather than losing a war, but they were going to have a war on their hands if they didn’t get out. True the United States was created, but the US has failed to learn from that experience. Napoleon failed in his attempt to impose the Continental System on Europe. Hitler failed. Stalin/USSR failed.

History is our greatest teacher and if we fail to learn its lessons then we will fail time and time again. It won’t be just egg in our face, it will be a pants-pulled down in front of everyone, including that boy or girl that you like, and forced to walk around town with everyone laughing at you. Now that is embarrassing. End tangent 1. Example 2: The Patriot Act. There has never been a piece of legislation any more invasive than the Patriot Act. Granted, it was during one of our country’s most fragile times and no one in their right mind, at the time, would go against something called the PATRIOT Act. You would be branded un-Patriotic if you voted against it. It would work too, because people take things at face value. They don’t want to take the time to read through something. We are a nation of headlines. No wonder the youth of this country are ADD. The premise of the Patriot Act was harmless, but there are people who use fragile situations for the greater good and there are others that take advantage of those fragile situations. The Patriot Act flew in the face of our Constitutional freedoms. Everyone was vulnerable to an unwarranted wiretap or an unfounded arrest and detainment. Thankfully those aspects have been deemed unconstitutional, but not before the innocent were hurt. End Tangent 2.

There are billions of ways people can waste their money. To name a few: snuggies, Sham-wow, porn, Cheez-whiz, Glen Beck, Bill O’Reilly, FOX News in general, novelty shot glasses, bottled water (unless in case of emergency), NFL tickets (watch college), NBA tickets (watch March Madness), Lifetime, and Housewives of Whatever County. I could go on, but I don’t have the time. I am as guilty as anyone about wasting money/time. But is it a waste if your money is going towards something good? Towards something that could help someone? Your tax dollars aren’t going to pay for all of their bills, they’re going to have to cover some of it themselves. But it will make it more affordable. We all like affordable. I’m sure even Bill Gates likes a deal or buys things on sale.

So why can’t we take our own advice? Why can’t we learn from history? Hasn’t most of this country been raised in the Church and been taught to love thy neighbor as thyself? So stop disagreeing on principle and actually ask yourself why you are saying no to this.

Rights of Men

“The US Treasury Department has eased sanctions on Iran, Cuba and Sudan to help further the use of web services and support opposition groups.” (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8556341.stm)

The US, in an unofficial capacity, is showing outright support for the opposition parties in Iran. The article includes Cuba and Sudan, but the US isn’t really worried about either. Neither Cuba nor Sudan are stubbornly opposing calls from the around the world to halt their nuclear aspirations. Iran claims not to be working towards nuclear weapons, but rather nuclear power. No one believes them. So, while the US and other members of the UN are threatening continued and stronger sanctions on Iran, the US is going underground in an attempt to destabilize President Ahmadinejad’s regime. Opposition has been growing steadily in Iran, particularly after the last disputed election which saw Ahmadinejad re-elected. This move equals Sen. Charlie Wilson’s during the Cold War when he helped supply Afghans fighting the Soviets (by sending Rambo). The US is opening a virtual (pun intended) two-front attack on Iran. By allowing US technology firms to export their services to Iran the opposition party can more effectively spread their message and organize against Ahmadinejad. It’s a brilliant plan. It worked in ’08 to help Obama and the Democrats dethrone the tyrannical Republican Party.

Our country, possibly better than any other, has found out that if the citizens’ most basic rights are protected, then a country can begin to progress for the better. Hopefully that will occur in Iran, as well as in Cuba, Sudan and the rest of the world.

Oceania and Southeast Asia

Oceania refers to Australia, New Zealand and the islands of the South Pacific.

While in New Zealand I would like to go to a rugby game, go sailing, go to the various filming locations of the Lord of the Rings, and eat some traditional New Zealand food.

When I visit Australia for the second time I would like to visit the capital of Canberra, the island of Tasmania (to see a Tasmanian Devil), the city of Adelaide and the city of Perth. I would also like to visit Rod Laver Arena, preferably during the Australian Open, and watch an Australian Rugby match. I was hesitant the first time to interact with the Aborigines, but this time I would like to spend some more time with them, for they are a fascinating people, plus they could teach me how to play the didgeridoo.

I don’t know what to do in New Guinea, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, or Vietnam. But I’m sure my friend Doug could help me out with some ideas or be my tour guide. I could go visit the islands that Survivor has been to.

In Thailand I would like to go watch some Muay Thai fights/tournament and go visit Bangkok.

In all of these places I want to sample their traditional foods; maybe not all of them, but some if not most. I want to experience their culture. I’m tired of my little island, I want to experience more. I want to experience all this life has to offer. After all, you only go around once.

A Few Things to do in Central and South America

When I go to visit Central and South America I would like to eat some authentic Mexican food, not this Tex-Mex crap they’ve got here in the States. I would also like to get some Cuban Cigars. I don’t smoke, but I would make an exception for those. I would like to watch a Caribbean League baseball game. Many of Americas professional players play Winter Ball in the Caribbean and it would also be a great opportunity to watch the future of American Baseball before it arrives. It’s always an experience to take in a game in a foreign country—it’s a whole different atmosphere, it’s wonderful. I also want to try coffee from each country. Getting things from the source is always better. I want to visit the Galapagos Islands and take a ride on a giant tortoise. I want to visit the Amazon Rainforest. I want to walk along the equator. I want to visit the major sites of the Mayan, Incan and Aztec Indians, especially Machu Picchu. I want to see a real live Peruvian Pan-Flute Band. I want to go and watch a South American soccer match, particularly the Brazilian or Argentine National teams. I want to score some fresh coke from Colombia—not really, but it is part of their culture and that’s what this trip is about. I want to visit Tierra del Fuego—Land of Fire—and the Falkland Islands where the British defeated Argentina with only a handful of men and in only about a month. I want to go visit the statue Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro.

Those are just a few things I would like to do while in Central and South America, but I am open to suggestions. You're welcome to join me on this trip and any of my others, just give me a heads up.

Next time: Oceania

My Plan to Take Over…Er…Travel the World

Let me start by prefacing that I have no idea how I will achieve this because I neither have the time nor the means to accomplish such a feat. My plan is to travel to all 192 United Nations Member States and various dependent areas (i.e. Greenland). I will spend up to a month in each nation. The larger and more “friendly” nations will be given the full allotted time, while trips to the smaller and less “friendly” nations will be shorter. I estimate a month because it is enough time to visit most of the country, to get used to its culture and for you to decide whether you want to come back or not. Some counties won’t require a full month because of their size and political situation. Like the Boy Scouts of America taught me…Safety First. I will be joined on this journey with my wife, because she wants to see the world as well. I couldn’t have picked a better partner/person to share this with (all together now…AAWWWWW). She doesn’t have much say in where we go or how long we stay there seeing how this is my dream and my blog. Anyways…if I spend 1 month in half of the 192 major countries and 2 weeks in the other half and another year for the various dependent areas, then the trip would take approximately 13 years.

My plan of attack is to invade Central and South America. We will then cross the Pacific and descend upon New Zealand and Australia. Next we’ll head north through Oceania and into Southeast Asia deploying the strategy of island-hopping. We will then faint westward into India and when you least expect it switch back east and trek across China. With a hop, skip and a jump we’ll cover Taiwan, South Korea and Japan, but we’ll skip North Korea unless something drastic happens with their political situation. Learning from history we’ll try a different tactic with Russia—we’ll invade from the East instead of the West… MWAHAHAHA!!! Unfortunately we’ll run into the Ural Mountains which will force us south into the Stans. As we move south into the Middle East we’ll apply copious amounts of sun-screen to be able to survive the onslaught of concentrated sun rays. We will exit the Middle East through Yemen and enter Africa through Djibouti rather than Egypt. Next we will head south, zigzagging down the east coast and then pulling a 180, we’ll head north zigzagging through the western portion of southern Africa. We’ll then power-slide through West Africa heading towards Egypt. We’ll continue along the Mediterranean through Jordan and Israel and ending up in Turkey. We’ll continue our assault on Russia by coming from the south through Georgia and Azerbaijan. After we’ve dealt with Russia we’ll take care of its former buffer states in Eastern Europe by swooping in on Ukraine and Romania on our way towards Greece. Then we’ll turn north, skirting Western Europe, and hitting Poland on the way to St. Petersburg. Once in St. Petersburg we’ll prepare to invade Finland, Sweden and Norway on skis. After conquering Scandinavia, we’ll drop down into Denmark and head south through the Fatherland (Deutschland). Unlike Hannibal we will successfully conquer the Alps en route to Italy. We’ll jump from the toe of the Boot onto Sicily and then Sardinia and Corsica. From there we will begin the easiest portion of our journey—conquering France. We’ll take southern France and allow the north to think they have diverted us into Spain, when in reality, we planned it all along. We’ll sweep through Spain and Portugal and then reenter France with a head of steam on our way to Paris. After marching on Paris and eating some croissants we’ll take the convenient Chunnel into England. Then we’ll travel north through Wales and into Scotland, taking in all the lowlands and the highlands. We might even buy some kilts. Then we’ll take a ferry into Northern Ireland and then move on to Ireland. If all goes as planned it will be spring and we can make it safely into Iceland and then onto Greenland as if we were Erik the Red and the Vikings/Norsemen. Next we will move into Newfoundland and Labrador. Then we’ll trek across Canada (Eh) on our way to Alaska to visit everyone’s favorite moron Sarah Palin. Then we’ll drop down to Hawaii. Finally we’ll head back to the continental United States and pick up any stray states we haven’t been to.

That’s my plan to conquer/travel the world. Doesn’t sound too hard.

Next time: Part 1: Central and South America