A Publishing, A Play, And A Book - Oh My!

I still don’t get it. My blog writing here has becoming increasingly bitter over the last few posts, but somehow readers are loving it and being sweet and supportive to me. Maybe it’s because my words are delicious like bittersweet chocolate? Or maybe you’re just holding onto hope that I will snap out of it and get back to writing a kickass post? Whatever the reason may be, you’re sticking around. You’re continuing to read. I thank you for that. So even if this doesn’t classify as a kickass post, it does classify as kickass news! Which is exactly what I want to share with everyone, in small bits, like bittersweet chocolate chips.

I've Been Published!
If you follow me on Twitter (and my Mom says you should), you have probably already heard the news. My words were published by Examiner.com's Generation Y Examiner, Sharalyn Hartwell. Here's a snippet of the article...

Gen Y Gives Thanks:
The Opportunities of Technology and The Romance of More Simple Means

"The romance of a ribboned notebook. The smell of the oiled leather cover. Inside, virgin paper awaits, just begging to be touched with the thrill of violet ink. A Moleskine notebook has real pulling power on me, as does proper stationary. Stationery is romantic, poetic, sensual. Typing on a computer keyboard feels anonymous, anodyne, soulless. I'm so grateful that I’ve rediscovered my childhood love of writing. It has given me the creative outlet in which I so desperately craved. And through it, the ability to express the things in my everyday life that are often too difficult for me to verbalize.

Writing an e-mail is just something you do, perfunctorily and without much thought. Writing a letter or a card is a careful considered act and one that makes the recipient feel as if they’ve received a tiny present. Tragically, letter-writing is a dying art, even when it comes to love letters. It seems people are perfectly content to be wooed by text these days. I know this sounds shocking coming from me, a self-proclaimed tech whore. I do love my gadgets, but I also love the written word. There is just something about the feeling of a pen between my fingers and paper beneath my palm. To me it’s intoxicating." ...read the full article here.

Writing My First Manuscript!
When offered to turn my writing into a NYC play, naturally I was flattered. But I initially turned it down because plays, musicals, and slam poetry just isn't me. I'm snowboards, sportbikes, and Bulldogs. Then after talking with a friend, I started to wonder if I turned down the NYC theater writing gig too early. It's good to do things out of your comfort zone, right? So I decided to do it, like a big cannonball into the water! I'm nervous, but hopefully I'll swim and not sink. I don't know the first thing about writing a manuscript, but I'll learn along the way. My first draft is due this weekend. Wish me luck! (I'll post more on this in the future, but just wanted to say thanks to Effable Arts and the 8 other writers involved in this project. Looking forward to working with everyone. Should be fun!)

From Blog To Book!
There are lots of services out there that can turn your blog into a book. But when I received an e-mail from a reader who wanted to do this herself, I was blown away. She enjoys my blog so much that she wants to take it with her when she travels around the world, but wants it to be in a more tangible form - a book to hold in her hands. Naturally, I loved the idea! She is going to design the cover and select her favorite posts of mine to include. All I need to do is write a Preface for the book. I'm a virgin manuscript writer and a virgin book preface writer. But, I'm up for all these challenges!

Can’t Live Without

Over at 20SB.net (20 Something Bloggers) a question has been proposed. What’s essential to your life? What can’t you live without, even when money is tight? What’s most important to you?

Being the tech whore that I am, I’m sure you are thinking I’m going to say I can’t live without the Internet or some coveted gadget like my laptop, iPod, TIVO, or cell phone. While all those things are pretty important to me and I would definitely miss them if they were stripped away, I can honestly say that I could survive without them...I think. It would be difficult and I would surely tremble and weep, but I think I could detox eventually. So what can’t I physically live without? Well scratch off the obvious which is air, water, food and sex. Now this is what's left...

Writing
Anne Morrow Lindbergh once said, "I must write it all out, at any cost. Writing is thinking. It is more than living, for it is being conscious of living." This describes how I feel perfectly! Writing to me is so much more than the physical pleasure of a pen between my fingers and paper beneath my palm. It's so much more than fingertips clickity-clacking on a keyboard. Writing to me is essential to living, or at least to my life. It's a childhood love of mine which has given me the creative outlet in which I so desperately craved. And through it, the ability to express the things in my everyday life that are often too difficult for me to verbalize. That alone is a gift in itself! Nevermind if you posses real writing talent or not.

Music
There's no doubt about it, I'm a music junkie! And I enjoy a very wide genre - anything from Marilyn Manson, to Frank Sinatra, to Jay-Z, to Pink Floyd, to John Mayer, to the Black Eyed Peas. Should I keep going on? I just like to mix it up. You'll rarely find me at my desk without my iPod on. It's glued to my head during workouts, while walking the pup, and cranked in my car while driving. To me, the invention of the mp3 is better than sliced bread! Music has the ability to change my mood and clear my mind. It can pump me for an MMA fight or calm me down after a stressful day at work. It can make you smile, make you cry, make you sing, make you dance, and of course make you reminisce. Is there anything music can't do? Music isn't just the soundtrack TO life, it's the soundtrack OF life.

My English Bulldog Diesel (AKA, my BFF)
What can I say about this 45lb chunk of meat that I haven't already said before? I love him. Really. Truly. Deeply. Love. Him. I do things for and with my dog for one simple reason - it makes me happy to see him happy. Really, that’s love in its purest form, completely unconditional. It's easy to see why dog is man’s best friend. He is loyal. He will never betray me. And his love is unconditional as well. It’s the perfect relationship! Call me crazy, but I honestly can't put into words how much this animal means to me. I think I love him far more than any human in my life. Is that bad? A woman can make me want to be a better man. But for Diesel, I want to be the man he thinks I already am.

Those are the top 3 things I can't live without. Well those and T.P. (toilet paper)

What can't you live without?


***NOTE***
Legal Jargon: This post is a part of 20SB’s Blog Carnival: Can’t Live Without, and Alice.com is awarding prizes to lucky bloggers and readers!

Why Halloween Is Better Than New Year's Eve

Halloween may have come and gone, but today as you sit in your office cubical paralyzed by a sugar-induced coma, why not read some of my random ramblings? Afterall, you’re staring aimlessly at your monitor anyway. So you might as well put your "zoning out hour" to good use. The mound of empty chocolate wrappers covering my desk tells me that I'm pretty much a waste of space at work today. I too am fighting through a sugar-induced coma...compliments of the co-worker Mom duo sitting to my left who overbuy bagged candy religiously every October. They are capable of making me into a fatty in 15 minutes flat! That's ok though, they're Moms. Moms like to feed you. That's what they do. And you can't ever say no to a Mom! It's like a whore saying no - just doesn't happen. So call me a manwhore or call me a candywhore, I don't care. I just can't say no. (You can see where this post is headed, can't you?)

New Year's Eve is supposed to be the biggest party night of the year, but personally, I like Halloween better. That's because New Year's Eve parties have too much responsibility tied to them. And we all know that responsibility = the slow sucking out of fun. Why else do people scream "not it" when someone asks for a volunteer to be the designated driver? Nobody wants to be the level headed one in the group, the voice of reason, the rule enforcer. LAMER! I mean I just don't want to be the guy keeping count of exactly what and how much my buddy has had to drink so I can help poison control. I don't want to be the one holding his public urination ticket so he actually believes me later when I say he has to go to court in a few weeks. And I don't want to be the guy trying to convince him (or in his eyes cock block him) that the "hot girl" he is escorting back to his apartment is really a transvestite. Maybe all of that makes me a lousy friend, but if you knew my friends then you would understand that they learn best from making their own mistakes. So who am I to interfere with their learning process? I want to see them grow as men.

Another problem with New Year's Eve is that there is too much emotional, psychological, and social pressure. You have to make sure you are at the most kick-ass party of the year. If not, then you've just wasted your last moments of 2009, which you can never get back. You have to make sure you have someone to kiss at midnight. If not, then you're just a loser and it's surely bad love karma for next year if you can't even end this year properly. And finally, the worst thing about New Year's Eve - the resolutions! The pressure, the responsibility, and setting oneself up for inevitable failure is not right.

Maybe I set my goals too high, but every year there is always a handful of resolutions I've either failed to keep or never reached. While I should be focusing on my successes and the resolutions that I did keep or achieved, I just can't help but feeling like a year-end failure on December 31st. Then on January 1st, it starts all over again. That looming feeling that I need to make new resolutions and work even harder at keeping or achieving them so I don't repeat the failures of last year. Plus, there's always that bitter sweet goodbye to another year that's come and gone. Instead of feeling excited for a brand new year about to begin, I want to hold on to time. Maybe that's the kid in me, never wanting to grow up? Arrrgh! Whatever happened to just having fun at a party?

Halloween parties feel like a belated birthday party to me. I was born on the 28th, so when the 31st rolls around I like to pretend that all the scandalous dressed girls in skimpy costumes are eye candy just for me! Honestly, I can never get enough sexy kittens, naughty nurses and girls dressed as edible cupcakes. You see, this is why Halloween is my favorite party night of the year. There is none of the pressure or responsibility that New Year's Eve brings. There isn't any deep thinking involved. On Halloween you can just kick back, relax and be yourself...and at the same time you get to be someone else too! The only "goal" you need to achieve is having fun. Afterall, that is what a party is suppose to be! Of course there are two objectives you should shoot for at any party. Getting shit-faced and getting laid. Accomplish both of these and your night was a success! So I'm happy to report my Halloween was a success.

She was dressed in a shiny, black vinyl catsuit teddy. Complete with knee-high stiletto boots, cat ears, a tail, and a whip to match! I was dressed as Captain Morgan, the spiced rum pirate. I had never seen her before and was never introduced. So when she turned and smiled at me, I tipped my hat and smiled back. Then I called her over. "Here, kitty, kitty, kitty." She laughed, started to walk towards me, then stopped. She cracked her whip and pointed to the floor, instructing me to come to her instead. I like this girl already. She wants to dominate!

There is often a rude awaking to one-night stands. Come morning, you roll over and realize what you’ve done, or rather who you’ve done. Somehow they always lot better through beer goggles in dim club lighting. But what’s done is done. The important thing is she didn’t have a penis. So you’re in the clear. It’s time to collect your shit and roll out. Of course in the case of the sexy kitten, I had no complaints. She looked just as great out of the black vinyl catsuit in the morning sunlight as she did in it under the pale moonlight. Her name, I didn’t catch it. She will just be forever known to me as the sexy kitten who cracks a mean whip.

I promised I wouldn’t blog about my sexcapades, but what can I say? I lied. Lesson #1, never trust a manwhore. This concludes another session of Manwhoring 101. Any comments, questions, or concerns? If so, you know where to leave them. Now class is dismissed.

(And don’t forget to grab a complimentary Snickers bar on your way out. Full sized, none of that chocolate miniatures bullshit. Because being fat is only fun when you have an equally fat friend to gormandize with.)

The First And Last Time I Guest Blog For Anyone

(heavy sigh)

I don’t understand it. I really don’t. Maybe one of you can explain it to me. First, you need to read my guest post 9/23/09 - We Prefer Lazy Love to fully grasp what I'm about to say...

Last month I guest blogged for freelance writer Melissa Blake. I took my time on writing the post, partially because I was extremely busy with work when she asked me to write and partially because I wanted to get the words just right. I wanted to give it some thought. Although at the same time, not so much thought that I was no longer speaking from the heart. I wanted to be clear and to be perfectly honest with her. And I was. I answered the question she proposed to me. "Why do guys run the other way when they see me, especially in my wheelchair?"

Now anyone would find some degree of difficulty in answering a question like that! And I have to admit, I was a bit nervous in doing so. Still, I did it. Then I worried how readers would receive it. But decided my work was done and to let the chips fall where they may. However, to my pleasant surprise, everyone seem to love the post! Even Melissa Blake herself called it, and I quote, "great!" Then suddenly she had a change of heart. It turned black when she wrote this very insulting response to my post...

Girl Talk: Why Are Men Reluctant To Date A Woman With A Disability?
by Melissa Blake

I recently met David through my blog. He was charming, witty and funny. After a bit of friendly Twirting (flirting via Twitter, the equivalent of computer footsie), he said he thought I was pretty funny too and even admitted to being a bit intimidated when I told him how strong my physical disability, Freeman-Sheldon Syndrome, had made my arms. This bone and muscular disorder has resulted in more than 26 surgeries to correct joint contractures, scoliosis and to straighten my leg muscles. You’d be amazed how strong my arms could get just from using a walker for 20+ years. They’re like giant muscles of steel, only smaller and dotted with cute freckles.
Well, this was a first, so feeling a bit bold, I asked him to guest-post from the male perspective on a question that has nagged me since my days in high school when I’d look at other girls and how the guys easily flocked to them. The question: Why are guys so reluctant to date – at the very least, approach – a woman with a disability?

His response: “Men are lazy.”

I thought his honesty was refreshing (heck, sexy even) at first. Here was a guy with enough decency to be open and honest with me instead of placating me and treating me like a breakable, fragile China doll. It seemed too good to be true, which is probably why the feeling didn’t last long.

You see, honesty is only attractive if it’s true. The more I thought about his “laziness” explanation (which was quite a lazy one at that; irony, anyone?), the more it started to seem like one of those Warhead candies I used to love as a child. They’re sweet on the outside, but suck on that candy long enough and you eventually find yourself at its sour center.

Insults sugar-coated as compliments aren’t honesty. They’re cop-outs. Big time. David wasn’t trying to let me down gently. He was just trying to let himself off the hook.

If you didn't agree with what I had to say, that’s fine and you’re welcome to engage in a friendly debate with me. But talking shit on someone behind their back, especially after you lied to their face with an insincere "great" compliment, isn't cool. It's deceitful, cowardly and down right cruel. You posted that on the pages of some minuscule website probably hoping I wouldn't notice it, but I did. Hey, the least you could have done is link back to my original post to let the readers of that website decide whether or not I was feeding you "insults sugar-coated as compliments."

From now on, I have 3 rules that apply to everyone:

1. Don’t ask my opinion on something if you don’t want to hear my answer. And if you can’t handle the truth or think what I’m saying isn’t the truth, that’s not my problem. It’s yours.
2. Don’t ask me to do you a favor if you can’t be gracious or courteous to me in return.
3. Don’t ask me to guest blog. I’ll no longer do it for anyone.

If you think society automatically labels you incorrectly because you have a disability, well society will also automatically label me incorrectly as an asshole because I'm not sitting back and allowing outrageous behavior from someone to slide simply because they are in a wheelchair. Everyone deserves to be treated with a little kindness in this world, including you...and even including me.

***NOTE***
For newcomers to my blog, I know this post doesn’t make a good first impression, neither did my Manwhore Relapse post. Still, I ask for you to forgive. I swear I don’t make a habit of arguing with disabled girls and sleeping around. For the most part, I’m a nice guy...with occasional bad behavior that probably deserves a spanking.

My apologies to my Mother.

The Happy Act - Rewarding Pet Owners With $3,500

The simplest concepts in life tend to be the most beautiful. I do things for and with my dog for one simple reason - it makes me happy to see him happy. Really, that’s love in its purest form, completely unconditional. I’m not looking for a payback, even though I get one. You see, loving a pet is like performing a random act of kindness everyday, one that goes full circle and never ends. The happiness I give to him, he gives right back to me. That is my payback. But let’s be honest, caring for a pet has a price tag, there is a payout. If you read my post titled "Love Don’t Cost A Thing" you know just how pricey loving my pooch can sometimes be! The pet industry is a staggering $43 billion business! That’s $43 billion a year! So I know I’m not the only one shelling out big bucks for food, treats, toys, health care and swanky pet resorts in lieu of standard outdoor cement kenneling.

It’s no surprise that 63% of United States households own a pet. The human-animal bond has been shown to have a positive effect upon people's emotional and physical well being. In families with children, pets help to create a nurturing environment and provide ample educational opportunities. For people in later stages of life, pets offer important companionship. No matter the age of the owner, pets have been shown to reduce stress, safeguard against depression, improve social skills, and even ease loss.

Dogs are known to be man’s best friend. But they are so much more than just your four-legged BFF. Just the other day I read about a dog that served alongside his owner/fellow soldier in the Iraq war. Then when his master became injured and returned home, the dog didn’t stop working. The loyal canine not only became a service dog to the injured soldier, but his therapy dog as well, helping him cope with the anxiety and panic attacks brought on by post traumatic stress disorder. You tell me that isn’t a duo that deserves a break in life! So when I heard about a new bill being proposed called the Happy Act, I started to wag my tail!

(HR 3501 IH) The Happy Act, which stands for Humanity and Pets Partnered Through the Years, is a bill that would allow pet owners to deduct up to $3,500 off their yearly taxes for qualified pet care expenses. And in today's crappy economy, who couldn’t use an extra $3,500 in their pocket? Although the best part of all is that this will actually save pet’s lives! How you ask? Well think about it. Money is tight for everyone these days and the sad truth is that many people who are struggling to stay afloat look at their pet as an extra "unneeded" (ouch, that word makes me cringe) expense. They see their beloved pet as disposable income and simply dispose of them. That is why so many animal shelters are becoming overrun with unwanted, or rather unaffordable, pets. Pets are being put to sleep everyday and it’s simply heartbreaking. So if the Happy Act can’t help struggling pet owners deal with the cost associated with properly caring for a pet, I’m all for it!

I honestly think this will help keep our four-legged friends in our families where they belong. Where they can be properly cared for, live long and be loved like the perfect furry companions that they are. Because everyone deserves to be happy, even a dog.

***NOTE***
Please ReTweet this post to help spread the word about the Happy Act and join me in helping congress pass this bill.

Women Never Cease To Amaze Me

Women never cease to amaze me. I just never know how you will react. For instance, the post titled A Letter To My Future Girlfriend, which I thought was rather warm and fuzzy, somehow promoted one of the angriest hate mails (Love Me Some Hate Mail) my blog has ever received! So when I wrote The Manwhore Relapse post, I was bracing myself to be flooded with hate mail. In that post I basically bashed women and made a bunch of crass statements while vowing to return to my manwhoring ways. However, to my pleasant surprise, I didn’t receive a single hateful e-mail on it! Not a one! In fact, what I did receive were letters of understanding, support, praise and even encouragement! Now of course there were those advocating against it, but even then it was expressed in a very sweet and sympathetic way. Thank you for that. Thank you for understanding. Thank you for seeing pass this ugly phase of mine and seeing who I really am, or rather who I have potential to once again be.

What’s even more shocking is that his new "fuck it" (I swear no pun was intended) attitude that I have seems to actually attract girls. For example, in the past week I’ve been asked out twice, by two different girls. Baffled by this sudden turn of events, I had a little talk with my buddies to get their thoughts...

Mike: "Most guys don’t get asked out once in their life, let alone twice and in the same week!"
Chad: "I’m lucky if a girl will go out with me twice."

While their comments made me laugh, they weren't very helpful in determining why girls are looking my way when my head is clearly turned in the opposite direction. I hate women, remember? I said it just days ago here on my blog. Of course they most likely don't know I have a blog so that explains that. Still, I have to believe that I'm giving off a rather cold and unwelcoming vibe. No?

Before I go out with either of these girls, they will have to pass a slew of tests! I just refuse to get involved with any more shady chicks. First I would check to see if she is mentally stable, psychiatric evaluation. Then I would see if she is a dirty whore, STD test. Next determine if she is a liar, lie detector test. Are you married? Engaged? Have a boyfriend? Are you an illegal alien? Are you an actual alien? Were you born a woman? I'll need to know all of that too. Next comes the examination of her criminal record, making sure one doesn't exist. I’ll discover whether or not she is a gold digger - maybe hide my car keys, tell her I drive a bucket and wait for her facial expression? Lastly, I would need to do a drug test on her and check to see that she isn't already preggers...I'm not being some baby's Daddy that isn't even mine!

Although necessary, that probably sounds a little excessive, which is exactly why manwhoring sounds so good right now! Manwhoring is simple and fun. Two things I love - simplicity and funnery. And while I may have updated my booty call list, no one is on speed dial just yet. Although it’s nice to know that at a push of a button that can be arranged. That safe, uncomplicated, meaningless sex is just a phone call away. Oddly enough, that gives me comfort. And because it does, that tells me that I’m in no way ready to dive into any type of real relationship anytime soon. Love is overrated anyways, said the bitter boy.

For now, I leave you all with some advice that was dispensed upon me just last night.

"We settle for far too much in this life...love should absolutely positively without a doubt NOT be one of those things."

The Manwhore Relapse

***WARNING!***
The following post is extremely offensive in nature, mostly to women. I won't deny it, it's crass and it's vulgar. Upon reading it, you may find yourself appalled, disgusted and angry. More than likely you’ll completely disagree with what I have to say and strongly discourage my future actions. But...I hope you understand. And maybe, just maybe, you’ll forgive.

Never putting yourself out there, never caring, always safe. It makes for a very easy life. I think I want to take that road. No twists. No turns. No blindsided corners to navigate through. Eyes always open. Always conscious of your surroundings. No risks. No mistakes. Always safe.

It’s official. I'm returning to my manwhoring ways. Why shouldn't I? There are no reaping of the benefits for putting your heart out there, trusting in another to the point of complete vulnerability. You just get shit on. So from now on, I'll be the first to do the shitting. I'll fuck them over before they even have a chance to fuck me over. Turnabout is only fair play. And no, I won't feel bad for doing it in the least. I've learned the hard way that this is a part of life, so I might as well start playing.

My new outlook is I don't give a fuck about women because they don't give a fuck about me. From now on, in my mind, they are only good for one thing - getting me off. They can fuck me and then get the fuck out. I don't want to get to know you and I don't want you to get to know me. I'm not your boyfriend. I'm not even your friend. I'm just some guy you're fucking. A guy that uses you just like you use him. Afterall, you're going to fuck me over in the end anyways, so let's just cut to the chase and do the fucking up front. Then the rules here are clear. There will never be anything between us other than a physical relationship. I don't have feelings for you and I may not even like you. You're simply in my life because you're a good lay. You’re the equivalent of a booty call. That's it. And that's all. Now lock the door behind you on your way out.

Romantic, isn’t it? Hey, the truth hurts. And it’s time people start speaking the truth, start being honest. I’m being brutally honest here. I'm not using sex as a weapon. In fact it's the total opposite. I'm using it more as a defense mechanism, for my heart. I'm capable of having meaningless sex and feeling zero emotion or attachment after. That's the beauty of being a guy. Not a lot of girls can do that. Besides, I deal better being mad rather than sad. So it should be no surprise that I’ve turned ugly and mean. Documenting the sexcapades would make for very interesting blog fodder. Maybe I’ll write about it, or maybe not. I couldn’t even stomach reading that myself. Honestly, I’m hoping this is just a filthy phase and this too shall pass. Only time will tell. Although I can’t see myself being a manwhore for very long. It's not who I am anymore, nor who I want to be. But right now, I have to do what is right for me. And as odd as it sounds, this feels like my need?

Years ago when my "almost fiancee" and I broke up, it took me forever to get over her! I moped around for months, until my friends couldn’t take it anymore and forced me to go out with someone new. It’s standard guy advice, "the best way to get over someone is to get under someone new." So I tried that. It failed. It was the only time in my life where I could barely get it up. Her attractiveness wasn’t the problem. I simply wanted my ex-girlfriend, only her. And the only way I could even perform was to picture her face. To pretend for just one hour that she wanted me the way I wanted her. Needless to say, the sex was awful.

Although this time around, it’s not like that. I was not in love, just heavily in-like. When girls have boy troubles, they sit around and eat pints of ice-cream. When guys have girl troubles, they go on a fuck fest. I know what the remedy is. So I’ll just jump right into it. Because I don’t have space in my heart to be sad.

The Remedy

To: a pretty girl
From: a sad boy
Date: would like one soon
Subject: Need your help, your advice.

So I have a little problem and I was hoping you could help me out, give me your advice.

I miss you. A lot.

And I was wondering if you have a remedy for that?

Short, sweet, and to the point.

I sent that to her iPhone a couple days ago. I have yet to get a response.

Maybe I should give her a call, but I don’t want to be that crazy guy that keeps bugging a girl who clearly is busy or is just trying to blow me off. If that is actually the case? I can't be sure of either. Although, something doesn't feel right. It's not like her to just disappear. Sure she has withdrawn from the world before, but in the past she has at least told me she needs some alone time, some space, or just isn't in the mood to be around anyone or to talk to anyone.

I wish she would talk to me though, if that is what she needs, if something is wrong. I'm a good listener. I'm a good problem solver. I'm a good comforter. Give me that chance to prove it. I have strong, broad shoulders that make an excellent support system should you need someone to lean on or someone to supply a shirt sleeve to soggy.

On the other hand, if nothing is wrong and you're just trying to blow me off, I can take a hint. And for the first time ever in my life, I hope that is the case. I would be happy if that is all it is. A relief to know that you're ok. That a girl is just trying to blow me off.

Related post of interest...

• 4/20/09 - I Know Nothing About You

***UPDATE***
About an hour after I wrote this post, I got the answer to my question. Not from her, but via a Facebook status change. I fucking hate Facebook! Apparently all the gushing she was doing over me just days ago and all the sweet things she said to me just days ago were all bullshit. She suddenly has a boyfriend? When did that happen, overnight? The least she could have done is told me! That would have been the decent thing to do, but I guess I'm not deserving of even that much. Yes, it's the story of my life. Another shady girl. Another girl I should not have trusted. I hate liars and I hate insincere people. I hate women.

Climate Change Is NOT Caused By Humans?

A wise man once said...

"The best years of your life are the ones in which you decide your problems are your own. You do not blame them on your mother, the ecology, or the president. You realize that you control your own destiny."

In life whenever there is a problem, people are quick to point fingers and place blame.

He did it! She did it! Now look what you’ve done! They should be held responsible! This isn't MY fault!

While most will deny the accusations and will try their darndest to pass the blame on anyone other than themselves, a few brave souls will actually stand up and take responsibility for their actions, for their wrong doings. Even fewer will stand and volunteer to cleanup a mess they feel they didn't help create. Although, instead of playing the blame game and debating who should be held accountable, we should all be working together on our solution game and pitching in to cleanup.

Truth be told, there is no bigger oopsie (AKA, fuck-up) in this world than global warming problem we now have on our hands. We are literally murdering the very planet we live on! Contaminating and destroying the air we breath, the water we drink. In the words of my late Grandmother, "this world is going to hell in a hand basket." With all the ways we have to help combat global warming, somehow people are STILL arguing over what caused global warming in the first place! Does it really matter who is to blame?

The vast majority of us believe global warming is a direct result of human activity, but there are a few people out there that say that just isn’t so. While no one is 100% sure exactly what caused global warming to start, I think we can all agree that humans have only added to the problem over the past few decades and sped the process along. The fact is that climate change may result from both natural and human causes. So now what? Well how about we stop debating who or what is or isn’t responsible and start working on ending it...or more realistically, slowing it down. Or how about I just end this post with a warm, fuzzy tale instead of all this nerdy, scientific talk?

Jude Ndambuki teaches high school chemistry, but when he's not in class, you might find him dumpster diving for discarded computers. For the past eight years, the Kenya native has been refurbishing computers otherwise headed for landfills, then sending them to grateful students back home. In the Help Kenya Project, Nddambuki gives the computers away for free, but there is one small catch. For students to receive a computer, they first must plant a tree. While tree planting helps offsets carbon emissions, recycling electronic equipment helps the environment by reducing pollution from the metals inside the devices.

The kids are given new life. The computers are getting new life. And trees being planted bring new life. It's all connected. And as humans, so are we. Climate change is a human issue. And nothing is more human than sharing your love and giving all you can to help change the lives of others and the world we live in.

Humans "may" have not caused climate change, but we can help change it.

***NOTE***
The post you read above is my contribution to Blog Action Day '09. It's an annual event (held every October 15th) that unites the world's bloggers in posting about the same issue on the same day on their own blogs with the aim of sparking discussion around an issue of global importance. It is the largest-ever social change event on the web with over 13,000 registered blogs in 155 countries. One day. One issue. Thousands of voices. Learn more at www.blogactionday.org

You can also see this post featured on BrazenCareerist.com

Don't Compare Obama To Mother Teresa

Can I be blunt for a minute? The media hasn’t cummed over a U.S. President this much since maybe JFK. Although I wasn’t born when JFK was around, so I can’t really say for sure. But you have to admit, if Barack Obama’s ego was a penis, it would have erupted long ago from all the stroking it has received. The latest - winning the Nobel Peace Prize. It’s like Obama can do no wrong, unless of course you watch Fox News then he’s ranked right alongside Hitler.

Look, I like the guy. I even voted for him. I will admit though, he hasn’t brought all this so-called "change" that he promised us during his Presidential campaign. Of course he hasn’t been in office for a full year yet either, so I certainly didn’t expect miracles overnight. I’m being patient. I’m giving him time. And I’m hopeful that the change will come...if not, I want my vote back. Until then, can everyone please stop sucking his you-know-what for awhile?

Whether you love him or loathe him, you can't deny that he's kind of a big deal. He's the first ever black (well half-black) President and that fact alone sets him apart from all 43 other U.S. Presidents in history. However, someone lost their mind when they awarded him the Nobel Peace Prize! I mean comeon. You are tossing him into the same category with the likes of Mother Teresa! Sorry, Barack. You're cool and all and I laugh when you knuckle bump your wife, but you're no Mother Teresa! For over 45 years she ministered to the poor, sick, orphaned, and dying, while guiding the Missionaries of Charity's expansion, first throughout India and then in other countries. In an excerpt from her 1979 Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech, she said...

"I choose the poverty of our poor people. But I am grateful to receive (the Nobel) in the name of the hungry, the naked, the homeless, of the crippled, of the blind, of the lepers, of all those people who feel unwanted, unloved, uncared-for throughout society, people that have become a burden to the society and are shunned by everyone."

Wow! Those are some mighty big sandals to fill. Realistically though, can anyone even remotely be compared to the likes of one Mother Teresa? If there was ever such a thing as an angel on Earth, she was it. A truly phenomenal human being and one that no matter how much you love Obama, he isn't worthy of being compared to her. Mother Teresa won for work that she had done. Obama won for work that he plans or says he will do. There's a big difference!

I just don't understand how you can award a man the Nobel Peace Prize who is currently leading 2 wars! Sure, he may not have started the wars, but he hasn't ended them either. Where is the peace in that? And why is that being rewarded? In Obama's defense though, he was just as shocked to hear he won as the rest of us. I have to believe he was also a bit embarrassed and felt a bit unworthy of such an honor as well. Although it's not like he voted for himself to win. So really we should be hating on the panel of Nobel Peace Prize judges, not him.

While Obama's approval ratings are down right now, you would think that winning such a prestigious award could only help him. Although in this case, I think it has only further hurt him. The vast majority of people seem to be outraged that he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. And while I may never be able to wrap my head around exactly why he won, I am forced to accept it just like everyone else. However, I will never accept him being compared to Mother Teresa! No way. No how. Not in this lifetime.

Giving Taboo Topics A Voice

Controversy erupted when BrazenCareerist.com Founder Penelope Trunk tweeted...

"I'm in a board meeting. Having a miscarriage. Thank goodness, because there's a fucked-up 3-week hoop-jump to have an abortion in Wisconsin."

While I applaud her for being brutally honest and speaking out about such a taboo topic, I'll agree that her Twitter wording was a bit crass. However, I think everyone needs to keep in mind that people don't share the same feelings in the same situations. While one person may be devastated by a miscarriage, another person may be breathing a sigh of relief. How a person reacts to a situation isn't wrong or right, it just is what it is. We are all entitled to our own feelings, even if everyone doesn't share them or can handle hearing them.

Read her blog post and watch the CNN interview here.

(It’s somewhat necessary to at least watch the CNN interview linked above to understand what I’m talking about below.)

Penelope is right though. Miscarriages and other taboo topics should be explored. Because how else are people going to learn about, understand and bring awareness to things that happen in everyday life if we are too scared to discuss them? It's the very reason I have a Label on my blog titled "Taboo Topics" where I can discuss things that have happened in my life that others think should be hush hush/off limits topics - things like suicide and child molestation.

The reason I bring this up is not to debate miscarriages or abortion because as a man who has never gotten anyone pregnant, I'm in no position to speak even remotely intelligent on the subject, nor do I want to. Let's be completely honest, the vast majority of men out there don't have a clue what exactly a miscarriage or an abortion fully entails. We get the jest of it, but we really don't know the details of what happens in a woman's body. And it wasn't until I watched Penelope's interview, did I know just how common and frequent a miscarriage occurs. I also didn't know that the process takes literally weeks, which makes concealing what you're going through all the more difficult. We are unaware of these things because society has labeled it as one of the many taboo topics we don't dare speak of! I want to change that though. I think it's time we give taboo topics a voice. So when I read about Penelope Trunk being so brutally honest and candid about what she was going through, I wanted to stand up and clap for her, for giving yet another taboo topic a much needed voice. If we can't talk about things, we can't learn. And if we can't learn, how will we ever grow?

I'm not asking, nor suggesting, that everyone exposes the skeletons in their closet and airs their dirty laundry for all the world to see. I'm just encouraging people to talk. To educate. To bring awareness to things like suicide, child molestation, rape, domestic abuse, miscarriages, abortion, addiction, the list goes on and on. You know what the taboo topics are. They are the very subjects that are so widely misunderstood by the public because the public refuses to give them a voice. But if people would just muster up the courage to discuss them, you would quickly see how many others can relate. We are all more closely tied to one another than we care to believe.

Whether you agree or disagree with Penelope's views on miscarriages and abortion isn't relevant to this post. What I do want to know is if you think it's good or bad to discuss taboo topics? And have you ever been as candid about your personal life as Penelope or myself? Looking back, was sharing that "secret" a relief or a mistake?

I can't speak for Penelope, but I know when I came clean about my battle with depression and my suicide attempt (10/5/09 - My Deepest, Darkest Secret), it was a HUGE sigh of relief! It felt so good to get that weight off my chest. And if I helped just one other person by sharing my story, it made any of the negativity I received from that post totally worth it. What you get from me online is 100% me, but you don’t get 100% of me.