And in this corner...WTF!?

(NOTE: Sometimes, I do my best to avoid potentially controversial topics, but I felt okay enough to speak out on this one. If for no other reason, because insomnia's a foul beast.)


Like many, I'm disgusted  by the very existence of George Zimmerman (yes, the love child of the NRA and the questionable Florida justice system), and his recent proposal to face someone in "celebrity" boxing. I could go on about the trial, its results, how it makes me feel in many ways, but I've said enough to that in other areas. On a lesser matter, I could even harp about why I put the word celebrity in quotes (which I kinda' do, later). But I think it goes without saying that for someone to have taken a young man's life to consider themselves a noteworthy figure says a lot about 1) the person's warped sense of reality, and 2) the warping of said reality by those that support him.

It should also go without saying that there was a long list of applicants (15 K+, to be exact) that wished to damage him (or worse) for the reason his name's relevant/mud to many, applicant or not. Even when I first heard about the story, something else came to mind along with my disgust, that being the question "Does it have to be a celebrity to fight him?" The amount of people that would love their chance, regardless of their social status in any scope, could fill a small country, but in the end,  one was chosen...

Rapper/Actor/"Father of the Year", DMX.

So I'm a little at odds about this. It's allegedly for charity on X's case, okay, good. Charity is good at any situation. But when you say things like this...

"I am going to break every rule in boxing to make sure I **** him up. Once I am done, I am going to whip my **** out and piss on him. Zimmerman is a piece of **** and that is what he needs to drink." 

...all you better do is win. I don't care how, so long as you also don't take more than you give to said charity (which, if you're a complete jerk, it might be understood if he does), but there's a lot riding on this. There's the undeniable racial tension written all over Zimmerman's miasma even outside of fight night, and because of that, others have expressed their own brand of justice (however so sloppily).

While DMX hasn't gone as far as his opponent has, both of them (more George, anyway) make me think about the movie Natural Born Killers, which eventually speaks up in a satirical fashion how much notorious people in the news become twisted superstars, with people wanting to be (with) them because their own lives lack the energy and unhealthy exposure. But we are in a world where non-celebrities in lockup are able to "hook up with local singles," so I guess things like this are the next step.

So it really comes down to whether or not I'll watch it. I want to comfortably say "no," but I'd be damned if I'm not interested in at least the results, but it may come down to if it's available for me.

Look, I'm not gonna' sit here and say that I don't want X to do what he says he'll do (however comical it'll be if he does give him a phallic hose down), but it doesn't really matter who's in the ring. Both of them have blood and dirt on their hands, but for the interested, it's coming down to whose crime(s) is/are the most reprehensible (and defenses can be done for both, sadly).  

In the end, I doubt something like this is worth any major or cable network's time, so until I'm proven wrong, let's just guess this'll be online and be done with it. Maybe while it's on, I'll watch Killers in some strange sense of protest.

And because of the lead-up to (SPOILER WARNING!!) this scene.


     
[End Scene]

America's Least Wanted

So most of you are aware of the bouts I've been having recently with my car. It runs, yeah, but that's not what we're here about (and from those that read my question on Facebook, you know where this is going. The rest, be patient, it's coming).

So I'm dropping off my car. Again. As I'm coming in, there's a lady with a friend/daughter/whatever-the-hell who were dropping their car off as well. In my hand was a sign of preparation, in the form of greasy processed breakfast (What? Burger King's right across the street). This lady openly noted that she should've done the same thing, which is what happens at times among people.

Now, from this point, I was expecting to hear either nothing more of it, or at most, a break off from what I had. That, I could've done, which would've been the kind thing to do, and have done numerous time for those that even don't ask, yet you can tell need it. Somehow that act of kindness gives me the trope of "teddy bear" to people that are only used to me being such a docile individual.

But what happened next is why I give said people the finger, and that's being nice.

The lady turns her attention from my bag to me, and asks "Can I borrow your car?"

The following picture, a PG version of one of my favorite net memes, reflects the face I gave her.
http://students.expression.edu/bwiensmetal/files/2013/09/you-think-this-is-a-game-cat-600x360.jpg

I don't want to say "mentally damaged" because I don't know her well enough outside the strong evidence I was presented. However, you have to be something close to it to ask a complete stranger such a thing, and not be either an officer commandeering said car, or a mechanic giving it a test run (to which the question shouldn't be asked).

Despite the look I gave that was enough to say something/MANY things with some strong language, I was able to get out a "No" to make sure the absurdity didn't short out the part of my brain that could still speak English.

So in conclusion, things were quietly handled, nothing too much was exchanged, short of asking me what BK was serving at the time. This, of course, while I was eating my well-earned, yet regrettable #2 meal. Yes, while in their line of sight. Because they've given me a greater sense of how to not give a damn for this behavior ever while in public. Because if they haven't considered what their doing is wrong, my rebuttal, however subtle,wordy, or (non-) vulgar, should feel right.    

(Sorry I don't have a better ending this time around :D )

[End Scene]

 

A little darker than usual, but worth saying.

So you're not where you want to be. You feel that what you're doing now and what you've done up to this point is nothing to where you thought you'd be in life, financially, spiritually, romantically, even socially. You've heard the speeches about being somebody that you can look back and love, versus the person you resented growing past being, but did you do that?

How far are you from the person you left behind in those dark days of uncertainty and anguish that had you lash out as a means to either get someone's attention, or to make sure it didn't eat you up inside? That's assuming you were the type to express those feelings so openly, and had to rely on the confidence of  whom you considered friends, or should it be "friends."? Those being the others that are 50/50 about telling your business to the world you have similar, little, or no access to, in hopes that moment they decide to betray your trust doesn't come back to them.

What a shame, huh?

These are some of the things that hold us back from being who we want to be, who we want the world to know what we are, but letting these types of thoughts and actions anchor your progress does little good to that. You have to reach a point where nothing but your own intellect, a controlled sense of pride in your ability, and knowledge of whom to really trust with your inner being, are the tools you need to start, and even finish heading where you want to rest your flag, claiming your land for all to see. You can't let the petty silence, empty promises, twisted ideals, or other actions of broken and shallow spirits weight you any longer. It's time to show them that there is a world without their discolored sight, and it's time you stop using their eyes to see, and their hands to toss away your life.

Now go, and with the spirit of those that truly love and respect you on your side, don't come back until you've made your dream real.

[End Scene]

One sentence says it faster than I could've.

"Religious or not, many sacred texts are still applicable sources of wisdom. Just apply the lessons to yourself and be a good person." - Brown Skin Flynn, via Twitter

Side note: I'll hopefully have a full blog about religion in the later days. It's a topic I've been good at avoiding in open fourm for a long time, but I think it's past time to say something about it. It may not surprise some, may piss off others, but better it be known than speculated.

[End Scene]

Putting this out in the public.

Just once, I'd like to see someone dressed as a Sumo wrestler in the middle of winter throwing salt on the ice. We got two more months of this weather, so if it hasn't happened already, Internet, make it so.

Philly Sports Fans: An Outsider's Perspective

**I should state first that, while there's nothing wrong with expressing love for the product of your choice, the following is just my dry comedic attempt at talking about how a specific lot of you get. Not that this won't be met with fans justifying their reasons (some that I can guess will be agreed upon), but all that said, let's start.


Look, I can't speak for all the cities that have their teams being repped by the locals, but I couldn't help but think about how Philly fans can be. There's something in the air, water, whatever's consumable and vital to daily living that just turns them into borderline cannibals.

Even before social media was a phrase (because it was a thing in the late 90s, but that's another story), you could see it in the eyes of anyone wearing the jersey of their respected "squad," the way they speak about said squad as if they're on the field with 'em, but these are general characteristics of (fellow) sports fans/enthusiasts/mainlining fiends.

But Philadelphia. I swear.

If for some reason, you wanted to recreate a scene from a zombie apocalypse movie, walk into a Philly sports bar on game day with the jersey of a team outside their peripherals. If you're lucky, you'll get a few verbal lashings and curse words going your way, some of this without being drunk, mind you. You're free to dish them right back at them, too. It's one of those rights we have as an American, and as fan of our team of choice.  

But there's the other sect, the ones that will sadly choose to get physical with you, because apparently humans (especially football following humans) aren't allowed to think for themselves, and believe that you must love the team you live closest to, and not who you're spiritually closest to.

These are usually the ones that are subjective in knowledge of some "other team" called the Steelers, that share lands with a state called Pennsylvania, which Philly is allegedly located there, too (Note: It is). There's two well-respected teams in the same mass of land, but from September to February, Philly becomes its own city-state, converting their money to ones with the faces of Dick Vermeil, Randall Cunningham, and Buddy Ryan just for kicks.

But even with all their die-hard rambunctiousness, there's actually respect for them in most of this. These are the fans that stick to the team during good and bad times, and there have been some heavy ones in even recent years. These are the ones that can function knowing that, just like themselves and others they care for in their lives, the team's gonna' have some messy periods. What better people to count on than those that are there when you're down, versus who's only there when you're up? You people are good, and so long as you're not part of the angry mob of pitchforks and torches to those opposed to your team(s), stay that way. In the economic and political donnybrooks this world's in lately, we need to save that type of passion for that, to a point.

Unless, of course you're doing it to Dallas fans. Then it's kinda' justified.

Sorry, that's my East Coast side coming out. Carry on.

[End Scene]

EotY post? Why not?

Forgive me if I go on a tangent with this, because it's been a while since I've done a full blog, and even longer since I've done anything speaking about the year that's passed. Believe me, as I've tried to write this type of entry a few times, already, but after a few clean slate reboots, I think I got the hang of this, again.

Emphasis on think.

So this year actually began with breaking into something known as karaoke. Not so much a big deal when it's read by someone that's used to showing themselves off to the public (for better or worse), but for those that know that public displays of talent(s) are few and far between, reactions have ranged from "It's about time," to "You've never done that before!?"

Hey, some things you just have to warm up to, but you also can't wait forever on them. Sometimes, you just gotta' jump, and the more you do it in unfamiliar grounds, the easier other things can become. You'll surprise yourself at what you can do, and what you'll stand for in times like that, be they good or bad.

Another thing to speak on is the term "friendship," one that will remain tested and altered for all time. Again, I'm reminded about how some get strengthened, others get weakened, and the others that remain flat, and/or based more on what you "liked" of theirs on a social media site, then actually taking a moment to call or write (back), despite distance. Even when those matters are for legit, unforgivable, or even selfish reasons, it happens to us all, and even as you read this, you might think of some people this speaks to. Whatever your definition of friendship is, just make sure you treat everyone you know the way you want to be treated. Besides, everyone's got enough of a battle on their hands without the threat of misplacing trust in another human being.

Back to something more specific on me, though, this was the year that I stepped into the cinema ring again with another live action production. Two, actually, though one has been the target of bigger interest due to its themes of horror and drama. I'm proud of what I've done, and everyone that's taken part felt the same. But it's the audience that you're checking out the most, and for the most part, it was well-received.

For a time, I was worried, me being the novice/intermediate horror film nerd that I am (especially in comparison to most of the cast and crew) trying to direct a horror short, and with an implied theme that's been used to sickness in more high-budgeted media. We got it in, though, and all I can say is that I hope it can be done again, even in other genres.

As for other matters that can be spoken about, there's something to say about those that speak about what they want to do and get it done, versus those that want something done but have valid reasons it's not done on time, if at all. It's worse when it's something you've got others involved with and are halted because some may choose to participate when they want to, but when it's something that's all in your own hands, you have look at yourself and wonder what's the holdup?

Lacking motivation, time, unexpected events in personal life, any of that can fall against us, but you have to remember that if you have a growing group of people interested in what you're doing, then you have to find a way to keep that interest alive. Not only in the audience consisting of friends, family, and people you just haven't met (yet, if ever), but in yourself. Because no matter what we do, what type of business we're looking to be in, or are in now, nothing feels better than knowing that we completed something. That's more than anyone out there that gets enveloped by petty excuses to why they never even get started on their ideas. This year, like others, have been full of that, and while this has involved the biggest creative growth for me, very little to nothing should hold us back from turning any of our concepts into reality.

So I guess that's the best I can say about this year. I'm sure I might say something similar next year, should I allow myself to do another one of these. Just feels good to write something with a certainty towards what can and needs to be shared, especially when it's outside of my usual fictional writing. Have a fine intro to the New Year, and I'll back soon enough.

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