A Drop of Water

A few minutes of light rain was just enough to make for a bad day for one particular driver. 

I took this picture just as the sun was coming out.

Water Fountains

I understand that water fountains are low enough for smaller children in being able to get some water to drink. But in locations where there are more than one, they are still very low for people 6 feet and taller to use and still retain any form of dignity. Leaving many people like me assuming the position for a proctology exam.

Words of Wisdom

1. A day without sunshine is like night.

2. On the other hand, you have different fingers.

3. 42.6 percent of all statistics are made up on the spot.

4. 99 percent of lawyers give the rest a bad name.

5. Remember, half the people you know are below average.

6. He who laughs last; thinks slowest.

7. Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.

8. The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese in the trap.

9. Support bacteria. They're the only culture most people have.

10. A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.

11. Change is inevitable, except from vending machines.

12. If you think nobody cares, try missing a couple of payments.

13. How many of you believe in psycho-kinesis? Raise my hand.

14. OK, so what's the speed of dark?

15. When everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.

16. Hard work pays off in the future. Laziness pays off now.

17. How much deeper would the ocean be without sponges?

18. Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.

19. What happens if you get scared half to death, twice?

20. Why do psychics have to ask you your name?

21. Inside every older person is a younger person wondering, 'What the heck happened?'

22. Just remember -- if the world didn't suck, we would all fall off.

23. Light travels faster than sound. That's why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

24. Life isn't like a box of chocolates. It's more like a jar of jalapenos. What you do today, might burn your butt tomorrow.

25. If you stand on a toilet are you high on pot.

26. If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you!

27. If someone with multiple personalities threatens to commit suicide, is that considered a hostage crisis?

28. If a man runs behind a car will get exhausted...if he runs in front of car he will get tired.

29. If FedEx and Ups merged, would they call it Fed UP?

30. Ham and eggs: a day’s work for a chicken, a lifetime commitment for a pig.

31. There once was a dog named Tax. I opened the door and income Tax.

32. There are three ways a man wears his hair: parted, unparted or departed.

33. Age doesn't always bring wisdom. “Sometimes age comes alone”

34. Never say, "Give me a break" to a Black Belt in Karate.

35. Marriage is a relationship in which one person is always right, and the other is a husband.

What is a celebrity?

With the recent announcement of the passing of Steve Jobs, I am reminded of what I considered to be a celebrity. Many years ago Albert Einstein was looked at like a rock star. A man who educated the world to a new science that many of us today take for granted.  Newspapers and film crews all across the world reported everything he did. The man who changed the world. But today the world has changed but not the way it was meant to be.

Over the years since Einstein, America in particular, began to celebrate what they considered to be popular. That has evolved to the point a girl named Snooki on a music cable show is more popular today than Martin Luther King Jr. Just looking at the magazines by the cash registers at grocery stores clearly shows what is considered popular now; unwed teen mothers, a war between Jennifer Aniston and Angelina Jolie, unfaithful spouses and who’s sleeping with whom now.

Over the years of medical cures, traveling to the moon and other planets, overcoming social injustice people are more concerned on what Lady Gaga is wearing today or if there is a new sex tape of Kim Kardashian. Ichiro Suzuki breaks baseball records what feels like every season but it means nothing compared to the press and publicity professional athletes get for using steroids or the University of North Carolina for taking impermissible benefits and multiple academic misconducts. Doing what is immoral or bad is now rewarded with fame while those who accomplish great things for the better of a society or culture are forgotten by the next commercial break.

I do not watch the Emmy’s or the Oscars nor do I care who wins. It’s basically Hollywood millionaires rewarding themselves. But the real celebrity who helps that industry become even more popular was also attacked by that same industry. George Lucas. He has created more technologies for the movie industry than any other person or company to date. Just reading about all his accomplishments on digital recordings, sound, special effects, etc. has Hollywood create movies that years ago would be impossible to do. CGI effects like PIXAR which was one of his creations, has created amazing works of art for movies and TV shows.

All the while as George Lucas was just getting started, Hollywood bosses and unions were pushing him away. But now they can’t live without him or his technology. But during the Oscars its more on who is wearing the most revealing dress, who is with whom. And while nearly every other speech is a political attack on a politician or program, the whole event feels like it is promoting itself for the next line of movies coming out soon. All the while the man who brought new life and spirit to the industry is ignored.

Steve Jobs is another man who in a normal world would have rock star statues like Albert Einstein. Starting a company from scratch, he has accomplished so much and revolutionized many technologies that years ago were unthinkable. Even coming back to the company he started years later, his ipod, iphone and ipad has moved technology and the lifestyle of people more forward in this area than any other.

There are many other famous celebrities all over the world that by today’s standards are nobodies. Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King Jr., Thomas Edison, Claus von Stauffenberg, Jonas Salk, The Wright Brothers are just a few real celebrities with rock star statues. But the only thing that people really care about today is what Justin Bieber is doing. We basically worship the millionaires while it’s the poor people saving the world from itself.

My September 11th Story

September 11, 2001

Another boring day at work. I left for work while my wife took care of our 22 month old and seven month old boys. At the time I was working in the Dairy Department for Food Lion in Zebulon, North Carolina. As I was filling the milk case a customer came by to tell me a plane just hit a building in New York City. A little doubtful at first but then another customer said that he had heard the same thing.

I got out my cell phone to call my wife to see if she could check the news for any info. As she changed the channel I could tell by her silence that something wasn’t right. I could hear her speaking Japanese as she was by now crying. She calmed down to tell me that it was a huge airplane had gone into one of the Twin Towers. Very quickly she screamed out followed by more crying.

 By then I’m walking to the front of the store to see the manager. My wife composed herself to say she just saw on TV another plane flying into the other Tower. I told my wife I had to hang up as I informed my manager what I just heard and he made a phone call to get more info. A couple of minutes later it looked like a store meeting in the front of the store as nearly all the employees and customers were trying to get as much info as possible.

The manager got off the phone asking if anyone had a TV set that they could bring to the store. I told him I did and I can have it here quickly. He told me to go get it and not to clock out. I drove home fast as I listened to news reports of the Pentagon being hit. I was moved to tears. When I got home my wife was camped in front of the living room TV crying her eyes out as I ran past her to get the small 13 inch TV set. Before I left I hugged her and the boys as I told her that everything was going to be OK. She knew as well as I did that I was lying.

I got back to the store and quickly set up the TV to the store intercom, broadcasting throughout the store of everything happening. Customers were coming in just watching the events on TV unfolding as employees came up front to look as well. After a while it was like a ghost town in the store. People were either at home or in the cars listening. Even the most macho of men in the store were crying. The store manager went to a Roses store at the other end of the shopping center and came back with an American Flag to hang in the store window.

People began to talk about going to war and killing those behind the attacks, so much so after seeing many Middle Eastern countries celebrating these attacks. News channels were showing Palestinians cheering, dancing and praising the terrorist. To this day I still think of Palestinians as terrorist supporters. The video images and the way they still act constantly prove me right on this. And these so called ‘friends of America’ give wonderful speeches on how they support America but then they go before the people in their own county to chant for our destruction as they continue supporting the terrorist financially.

 As the President spoke to the Nation that day, nobody was shopping, for that matter doing anything. Nobody talked. Everyone just stood there listening to every word that then President Bush was saying. After the address everyone just looked at each other as the store became alive with nonstop talking about getting those behind these attacks. That afternoon it became very busy as people were stocking up for the long haul. No telling what was going to happen the next day and for that matter the rest of the week. Even employees were setting aside food in the dairy cooler. A few days later one of the grocery stockers quit to enlist into the Army. Couldn’t blame him seeing as everyone wanted to join the service.

As I made it home that night my wife was talking to her family in Okinawa. The most populated American military personnel area outside of America. Every military base on the island was on red alert as every local Okinawan was scared that they could be the next target for the terrorist. But my sister in law said that even as many military vehicles were moving around the island, knowing the situation, many Okinawans were just as mad as the Americans and just as patriotic as well. Scared and ready to do what was needed.

My wife and I hugged for what felt like an eternity, going through many emotions as we watched the images on TV. The next day we drove for nearly the whole day trying to find a place that sold American flags. Department stores like Wal Mart and Target placed signs on the front entrance saying they were out of stock as did grocery, hardware even toy stores were out of stock. Luckily we went to the mall and found the local newspaper stand had a special edition of the newspaper printed with an American flag covering the whole center page. The front window of our house as with many other houses had this newspaper flag hanging up on it.  

The day started out as a carbon copy of the previous days but ended totally different. The events ten years ago made me more aware of whom we call friends and enemies. It made me more patriotic and determined to make this world safer for my family and others. The end of the world is changing. Before there were world wars as all nations fought one another. Then it shrunk down to a few countries fighting each other that lead to just individual people fighting one another.

The danger of this is the technology has gotten to where one person can carry a weapon that causes more damage that what could have been done years ago. The Cold War was scary but predictable. Neither side wanted to die but the each side played their parts. Now it feels like World War Three where individuals are willing to die in killing others who are different to their own belief and lifestyle. I saw countries like Spain surrender to the terrorist after they experienced their own September 11^th. But there are many other Nations that still stand by America. Nations of different faiths, laws cultural differences and lifestyles realizing that if the terrorist win, we could lose more than the freedoms we so much enjoy.

How To Gain Weight

I recently talked with an old friend of mine who now lives in Korea. After catching up on each other’s lives and the usual topics of the day we began to converse about me trying to loss a little weight. This led to something he learned while living in Korea about the three main reasons why many people have put on a lot of weight over the years.

1. Chemical Imbalance. Whether its medicine, in foods we eat or items put on or in our bodies, these chemicals affects our bodies. As many of these chemicals build up will begin to interfere with the normal functions of the body. Kidney Stones, Gall Stones are examples. Medicines advertised states that the side effects can damage the body in different ways.
2. Personnel Choice. Whatever the reason from stress to partying, people will eat more foods than the body can naturally burn off. People who eat more food than the body can handle will definitely gain weight. Going to a gym, exercising or even changing how much or what type of food you eat can fix this. But it all comes down to how much effort that person chooses to do.
3. Ancestors Sin. Western people may not fully understand this part. If someone is overweight can mean that someone within seven generations of that person’s ancestry was a thief. The only way to clear this problem is indemnification. To pay back for this theft whether to repay the victim and/or through a prayer condition with fasting. Fasting can be a three or seven day fast, drinking clear water only or by skipping a morning meal for 21 days. To constantly pray for 21 or 40 days at a certain time and for a set length of time for forgiveness from God and to those that were robbed by this person’s ancestor.

The Path I Chose

A lot can happen in a day. Even in the span of minute’s one can see if they made a correct path choice from their early youth.

While I was working in one store, at separate times, I met two people I went to high school with. One person I met by his smell and appearance looked like he just got out of bed. It was well in the afternoon but dressed like he just came from the gym even though it was apparent that he never set foot in one to begin with. In school he was cocky, upper class attitude of being better than anyone while tormenting those he deemed the bottom of society. Now he looked like he’s on hard times whether it be alcohol or drugs and making due with whatever he can to get by.

The second person I met was a bit surprising for me. In school I remember her as the one to make it all the way. She had great grades and was able to get into any college she wanted. Smart and likable in school but when I saw her I did a long double take. At first I didn’t recognize her but as we talked for a while I learned that all her dreams died or changed considerably because she and her boyfriend didn’t have protection from getting pregnant.

She couldn’t handle going to college and taking care of her baby so she gave up school, stayed with her parents while making the best she could do with a part time job. Eventually she married but she also had acquired government assistance in food stamps and medical coverage. I was surprised she had gained a lot of weight for she was very skinny in school. Now she looked like a complete different person.

What worked for me in school may not work for others. But I survived the bullying and being looked down by others as someone most likely to be forgotten. Most of those I went to school with did accomplish a lot in their life while other didn’t. I chose to not care about being in the different schools class societies such as: the jocks, nerds etc... I chose to instead to get through school by watching from the sidelines. Still bullied a lot and treated like an outcast but I survived.

Many former classmates have died since graduation due to drugs, alcohol and other vices but what surprises a lot of former classmates is that I’m still alive. And that I have been very active at that. Visited and lived in many different countries, almost arrested or killed several times as well as traveling across the country many times while meeting and experiencing many people and their cultures.  Most people who knew me have never journeyed at least 100 miles from their home or even went someplace outside the state of North Carolina.

That day I saw the path I chose to take in school as a justifiable one for me. It was a difficult one at the time but it ended up making me stronger. More prepared for the harshness that life after school was and did offer. I could have tried to be with the in-crowd and faked all those usual attitudes that people have in those groups. But I never could fake on who I really was, even though at the time I didn’t fully know my potential. But in the present day, after meeting those two, I believed that the choice I made a long time ago worked. 

Stealing Pictures (without credit)

My wife was a little taken aback by a few websites she found by chance today. Apparently someone took many pictures she had drawn and placed then on their own blog site claiming them as their own. She was happy by all the comments on the website saying that they loved the pictures but felt let down that no credit was given to her.

My wife's site where she post pictures
http://www.pixiv.net/member_illust.php?mode=manga&illust_id=15706583

The person who took the pictures without given credit to her
http://ultimate-spear-lust.tumblr.com/post/5759430807/fmt-strippers#

Universal Laws

Law of Mechanical Repair: After your hands become coated with grease your nose will begin to itch or you'll have to pee.

Law of the Workshop: Any tool, when dropped, will roll to the least accessible location.

Law of Probability: The probability of being watched is directly proportional to the stupidity of your act.

Law of the Telephone: When you dial a wrong number, you never get a busy signal.

Law of the Alibi: If you tell the boss you were late for work because you had a flat tire, the very next morning you will have a flat tire.

Variation Law: If you change lines (or traffic lanes), the one you were in will start to move faster than the one you are in now. (works every time)

Bath Theorem: When the body is fully immersed in water, the telephone will ring.

Law of Close Encounters: The probability of meeting someone you know increases when you are with someone you don't want to be seen with.

Law of the Result: When you try to prove to someone that a machine won't work, it will.

Law of Bio mechanics: The severity of the itch is inversely proportional to the reach.

Theater Rule: At any event, the people whose seats are furthest from the aisle arrive last.

Law of Coffee: As soon as you sit down to a cup of hot coffee, your boss will ask you to do something which will last until the coffee is cold.

Murphy's Law of Lockers: If there are only two people in a locker room, they will have adjacent lockers.

Law of Dirty Rugs/Carpets: The chances of an open-faced jelly sandwich of landing face down on a floor covering are directly correlated to the newness and cost of the carpet/rug.

Law of Location: No matter where you go, there you are.

Law of Logical Argument: Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.

Brown's Law: If the shoe fits, it's ugly.

Oliver's Law: A closed mouth gathers no feet.

Wilson's Law: As soon as you find a product that you really like, they will stop making it.

Taiwan CG report on Bin Laden's death

Bin Laden Death Picture

The Future Looks Bright

I am reminded of an event that took place in Germany after the end of World War 2. An American military unit was in a German town patrolling the area. They visit one family still living in a house that was partially destroyed. After making sure the family was OK the soldiers left. A private was sad to see people living in that condition. His commanding officer stopped him and made a comment that changed the soldiers’ outlook on things. 

The officer stated that inside of what’s left of that house were kids cleaning up; the father was covering up exposed areas outside of the house while the mother was fixing dinner which consisted of  flowers placed at the center of the table. This family like all families here in Germany has a clear goal for the future and refuse to let their current conditions interfere with it.

Just like Japan now, companies are still producing, politicians are still working, and everyone is cleaning up and making plans for a better future. Even the temporary housing is way better than many modern houses built today. Japan today has rediscovered the same spirit that the German and Japanese people had after WW2.

Sights to See

Dihydrogen Monoxide Poisoning

Dihydrogen monoxide is colorless, odorless, tasteless, and kills uncounted thousands of people every year. Most of these deaths are caused by accidental inhalation of DHMO, but the dangers of dihydrogen monoxide do not end there. Prolonged exposure to its solid form causes severe tissue damage. Symptoms of DHMO ingestion can include excessive sweating and urination, and possibly a bloated feeling, nausea, vomiting and body electrolyte imbalance. For those who have become dependent, DHMO withdrawal means certain death.

Dihydrogen monoxide:

* is also known as hydroxl acid, and is the major component of acid rain

* contributes to the "greenhouse effect."

* may cause severe burns.

* contributes to the erosion of our natural landscape.

* accelerates corrosion and rusting of many metals.

* may cause electrical failures and decreased effectiveness of automobile brakes.

* has been found in excised tumors of terminal cancer patients.

Quantities of dihydrogen monoxide have been greatly found in almost every stream, lake, and reservoir in America today. But the pollution is global, and the contaminant has even been found in Antarctic ice. DHMO has caused millions of dollars of property damage recently in Japan.

Despite the danger, dihydrogen monoxide is often used:

v as an industrial solvent and coolant,

v in nuclear power plants,

v by the U.S. Navy in the propulsion systems of some older vessels,

v in the production of Styrofoam,

v in biological and chemical weapons manufacture,

v in the development of genetically engineering crops and animals,

v as a spray-on fire suppressant and retardant,

v in so-called "family planning" or "reproductive health" clinics,

v as a major ingredient in many home-brewed bombs,

v as a byproduct of hydrocarbon combustion in furnaces and air conditioning compressor operation,

v in cult rituals,

v by the Church of Scientology on their members and their members'

v by both the KKK and the NAACP during rallies and marches,

v by the clientele at a number of bath houses in New York City and San Francisco,

v historically, in Hitler's death camps in Nazi Germany

v during many recent religious and ethnic wars in the Middle East,

v by many terrorist organizations including al Quaeda,

v in community swimming pools to maintain chemical balance,

v in day care centers, purportedly for sanitary purposes,

v by software engineers, including those producing DICOM programmer APIs and other DICOM software tools including DICOM routers,

v in animal research laboratories

v in pesticide production and distribution.

Companies dump waste DHMO into rivers and the ocean, and nothing can be done to stop them because this practice is still legal. The impact on wildlife is extreme, and we cannot afford to ignore it any longer! The American government has refused to ban the production, distribution, or use of this damaging chemical due to its "importance to the economic health of this nation." In fact, the navy and other military organizations are conducting experiments with DHMO, and designing multi-billion dollar devices to control and utilize it during warfare situations. Hundreds of military research facilities receive tons of it through a highly sophisticated underground distribution network. Many store large quantities for later use. Dihydrogen monoxide is mostly remembered by its chemical name as H2O.

An Interesting Story

Nothing like checking up with old friends and finding out a funny situation had grown to look like a Monty Python skit, of sorts. The following events are true and have been building up over the years and recently reached its conclusion just a few weeks ago. The event I am about to share with you happen the way you are reading it but the names have been changed.

For a while I was staying in Berkeley, California. While living there I met a lot of great people as well as encountering people who made die-hard Liberals look like Ronald Reagan. Having to deal with many city laws and ordinances any person can easily break the law and not even know it. It was at this time staying here that I realized that I had an accent. Living all my live in North Carolina never dawned on me that a huge majority of people couldn't understand a word I said. But that's another story I'll share later.

While staying in Berkeley I was sharing a house with a few other people. One of the joys of living with co-workers. Life was going great as most of our time was watching, for a lack of better word, a group of hippies that grew their own clothing from their over grown yard of weeds as the smell of strange scents drifted from their rented house. The neighbors on the other side of our place were more normal. During the Summer time we would get together at our place for a cook-out while the hippie’s called us murderers for eating meat. Ah, good time.

Our normal neighbors, Max and Raquel had been renting the house from a restate agency for about ten years by the time I moved into the neighborhood. They were able to get a great deal on it when they first moved in. The house had been vacant and was in need of major repairs. They made an agreement with the agency to deduct the price of repairs from the rent. Needless to say they were able to live there for a little over three years before they even began to pay rent.

When they first moved into the house, the back yard was over grown with untrimmed trees and vines covering all parts of the house, rusted plumbing as with the electrical system requiring a huge upgrade. The house needed painting as with several floor boards and crack drywall in need of replacement. A huge task but this was what this couple loved to do in their spare time. Even the real estate agent was impressed with the remodeling that they returned the couples security deposit. These people made Bob Villa look like Mr. Bean.

One side of the house was left almost untouched. The trees still appeared overgrown with a few vines clinging to the house. They kept thick curtains on all the downstairs’ windows which most people did on this side of the street due to the strong sunlight during the afternoon time.  But the real reason for the over growth and thick curtains was due to a more money saving effort.  But over time as the remodeling had come to a finish they became bored with little to do so as they always did, they planned to find another fixer-upper to move into. In time their luck worked with them as his job required them to move to another state where they were able to find several house to choose from.

Before their departure, we had a huge party that even their real estate agent came. Due to the work they did on the house and their friendship with the Realtor they were able to get another couple they work with to move into the house. And so as Max and Raquel moved on with their life, the new neighbors, Brandon and Lynn Ann became close friends with us with summer cook-outs as with outings to different places. Max and Raquel did inform the new couple in on their big secret so as the years marched on, Brandon and Lyn Ann family grew to include a son.

In time Brandon and his family had moved on as well. As with the hippie family, they were arrested due to an electrical short circuited causing a small fire leading the police to find the entire basement covered with marijuana plants. Another couple, Henry and Sonoko eventually moved into the house after Brandon and Lyn Ann left but they kept mostly to themselves. They were never told Max and Raquel’s big secret. Over time they began cleaning up the side of the house with the overgrowth and discovered something rather interesting.

Upon clearing the overgrowth away they found a window that over the years was not visible from inside the house. It seemed that Max had built a book case that covered the whole window area that from inside the room you would never know a window was there. On the outside window was a place card declaring the building to be vacant. Near the newly discovered window was the power meter. And then the real entertainment began. It seems that when Max and Raquel were fixing up the house they discovered the power meter as well as the vacant place card.

They decided to try something that apparently worked pretty well. As the power company came around to check the meter, they would instinctively go to where the meter is located at. Putting thick curtains on the nearby window as well as building a book case around the window to not only block the inside lighting but sound as well. The Meter Reader would see the Vacant building sign before trying to make their way through the overgrowth to reach the meter. Naturally as it was proven, they would simply give up trying to get to the meter and would simply record the last reading from the meter. No power used so no power bill to pay.

So as the Meter Reader made his rounds again discovered the newly trimmed area and successfully recorded an accurate reading from the meter. And as the couple received their first power bill were understandably shocked. I was told that it was over $100,000. Needless to say the new tenants challenge the bill and they were able to clear themselves of having to pay the total amount which was passed on to the Rental Agency. They tried to locate the former tenants with no results. Max and Raquel had already moved a few times over the years and couldn’t be found quickly.

 Brandon and Lynn Ann were contacted but seeing as they were now living in Connecticut chooses not to talk to the Realtors about it. Max and Raquel were located and threatened to appear in court and forced to pay the total amount. This led to an interesting development of sorts. When Max made a written agreement to deduct the cost of repair to the house from the rent there was a much worded clause to cover any future expenses relating to the house’s up-keep. In layman’s terms, the Realtor became stuck paying the full power bill.

So as unlikely that this will ever happen again, it’s great hearing these kinds of stories from old friends. An occasional letter from time to time eventually paints a masterpiece that as the full story is unfolding, keeps us connected no matter how far apart we live.

Dinner with the Sharks

My wife and I recently went to the Crabtree Valley Mall in Raleigh to listen to a Christmas Choir as we enjoyed our lunch as well as to do some shopping of sorts. By one of the mall entrances was a display of a Megalodon shark. Needless to say she took lots of pictures.

Something strange is happening to me.

With all that has happened to me this week I thought it couldn't get any worse. But as my wife and I had a long heart to heart talk Thursday night really putted me at ease. It seamed to have carried over into the next day which putted me in a great mood while feeling like I could conquer the world. At my age I usually have a few aches and pains but not today. I didn’t even feel any chest pains as a result of my gallbladder surgery mishap. Even though I did a lot of heavy lifting I never got tired or broke a sweat. I could run a marathon or even take my wife shopping at the mall and be ready for more. And it all started around 3:30 AM, Friday morning.

After I updated a blog and worked on a Christmas video I finally went to bed around midnight feeling totally blank. I couldn’t even think a thought or remember anything clearly. I do recall feeling pressure around my head, as if I was wearing a helmet. I got a little concern when I went outside for no reason at all. I didn’t even feel cold. But while I was outside I checked the mailbox containing only junk mail. A bit disappointed it wasn’t real mail I went back inside to finally go to bed.

Everyone else was fast asleep with me starting to feel like I needed another trip to the hospital. But the moment I laid down I was out. I can’t even remember what dreams I had which really strange. I remember all my dreams and can have some control over them from time to time but last night I had no dreams at all. But at 3:30 AM I woke up like I was taking my first breathe of life. I was wide awake, breathing like I just finished a marathon race. I used the bathroom and made a quick sandwich and was back in bed by 4 AM.

Then it got weird. I had the same dream three times with each version being played out differently. Like the movie, ‘Inception’, I was able to more around and totally control all of my actions. The repeating dreams were like the movie ‘Invasion of the Body Snatchers’ and the EVO’s from the cartoon show Generator Rex. In each version they attacked me. In two of those dreams I defeated them easily but in the third dream it wasn’t going so good for me. Mainly due to the fact my alarm went off at 4:45 AM before that dream could finish.

And the whole thing carried over into Saturday. That morning I was leaving a store heading to the truck when I was approached by a couple of nuns. Apparently they were stopping to stretch their legs while getting gas for their van. They walked over to me just as I reached the truck and wanted to ask me a few questions. About who I am, do I go to church and the type of faith I have? Apparently, one of those nuns stated that she noticed small light orbs floating all around me for a few seconds as I was leaving the store and was curious as to the type of person I am.

But the rest of the day was a repeat of Friday. I got home by 6:30 PM after working for over 12 hours straight and yet I felt like I could go for another 10 hours without any rest. I don’t do drugs, smoke or on any medication but since it all started early Friday morning my body feels completely different as my mind has been racing with all these thoughts and ideas. One of those I mention to my wife and she’s all for it. We’re going to create a mini comic book or a dojinshi together. She draws the pictures and I add the text.

I can’t wait for tomorrow.

Following Directions

1) Go to Google Maps

2) Press "Get Directions”

3) Set Point A as Naha, Okinawa and point B as Taiwan

4) Read step 72

Words of Wisdom

If you ever want to know how a person drives a car, just watch them while they are operating a shopping cart.

Words of Wisdom

Readers Digest September, 2010