Hell yeah!

It was the Christmas special too.

Holy cow!  Bush almost got hit by a shoe!

I just realized that Christmas is next week, and we don't have a tree yet.

Lots going on.  It's funny, since The Dark Knight has been at Briarwood... I've yet to go see it there.  I've never really had much of a chance to.

Bethany's birthday was last week.  The 10th.  She's 24 now.  I woke up at the butt crack of dawn, went over to her place and made her breakfast before she left for work.  Pancakes, sausage, and scrambled eggs with cheese.

I felt a little bad because after that, she really didn't want to go to work.  Way more so than usual.  She took a tiny nap before she left.  She left for work and I stayed to clean the dishes and put her birthday present in her bathroom.  An orange toilet lid cover with a matching rug.  She loves it.  

My parents and I recently moved my Grandma Kellman in.  Before she moved in, my dad, uncle Keith and I moved stuff around to prepare for the move.  We turned the computer room into Grandma's room.  We had a lot of stuff in the basement taking up space.  Most of that is sitting in the garage until a decision is made on what to do with that stuff.  The computer and heavy-as-hell desk was moved to the basement.  I guess the plan is to have grandma stay with us until my dad and his sisters find an assisted living place for her.

My boss at the studio has got to be one of the most full-of-shit individuals I have ever met.  About a month ago my hours were cut because business has been a bit slow.  So instead of going in Monday through Thursday from 1-5, I don't go in on Wednesdays anymore.  It sucks, not just because it means a thinner paycheck, but there's actually a lot of shit I still need to finish: Design a 30 page wedding album, edit and post on the website photos from a recent family shoot, re order preschool pictures of 2 kids where the kids faces are "blown out" (over exposed highlights) which is bullshit, I think they're just fine.  I had a ton of other stuff that need to get done but I was able to get that all done last week.  The wedding album i need to get done before the weeks end... because Judy is full of shit.  The mother of the bride came in last week to pick up a bunch of prints that she and various other family members / friends had ordered and asked judy when a rough draft of the album would be completed.  Judy told her it'd be ready next week (being this week) and when i heard her say that, I banged my head on the desk, because thanks to all the other shit I had to do, I hadn't even started designing the album yet.  I managed to get 5 pages done during work yesterday.  And I still need to edit that family shoot.  I was hoping to get those online this week but that ain't happening.  

And Judy doesn't know shit about photography.  I'm pretty sure laura would happily agree with me on that.

So with my hours being cut at the studio, I told my supervisor at best buy that i'm available to work more hours, which, unfortunately hasn't quite worked out how I wanted.  Before I was working tuesday and friday truck shifts and closing on sundays.  I updated my availability so that I can now close on wednesday nights as well.  Hasn't really worked out that way because now I'm only scheduled to close on either Sunday or Wednesday.  Though this past Sunday sucked a lot because I was only scheduled for 4 hours.  1-5.  We closed at 10.  Granted it was nice to get out early and spend the rest of my Sunday with Bethany, especially since it was crazy busy and I was running all over the place the entire shift fulfilling dot com orders and doing caryouts, but i need money, which means i need more hours.  

This turned out to be a far longer post than what I was expecting.

I've decided that I want a replica of Tiger Stadium for Christmas.  I shall tell my parents tomorrow.

That's another thing.  I still have christmas shopping to do.  Dad's easy.  He usually wants movies, and this year proves to be no different.  I have an idea on what to get mom.  I haven't a clue on what to get Bethany, and "I don't know" in response to "What do you want?" doesn't help.

A message to those going 65mph in the fast lane...

Speed the fuck up!  You're going the same speed as the semi next to you!

Building Steam with a Grain of Salt

This is a little bit of an update post since it's been a while.I probably should have made a post before Thanksgiving about my dad participating in Detroit's Thanksgiving Parade.  He drove a Model T of course.

Well at least he smiled on television.

On the way to the parade we drove past Tiger Stadium.  I always get rather emotional inside when ever I see what's left of the stadium.  On the way home I asked my mom to pull over so I could get a couple images, because I've been wanting to pay another visit for a while but never had much of a chance to.

On the way to the parade

On the way home

It makes me really sad.  I know it sounds

silly but she definitely holds a piece of my heart.

A few weeks ago, my cousin Lauren gave birth to her second baby, Noah.  I finally got to meet my godson when we went over to my aunt's house for Thanksgiving dinner.  He's so cute.

Work at Best Buy has been crazy busy the couple weeks before Thanksgiving, obviously for Black Friday.  On truck nights (Tuesday and Friday nights), I'm in charge of putting away all of the lock-up items.  That's laptops, mp3 players, still and video cameras, cell phones, and GPS's.  I'm normally scheduled 7pm - 2am.  There's an overnight shift that comes in usually around midnight.  Now, I don't like to leave until I finish putting away all of the lock up, and the 4 trucks before thanksgiving, we've been getting so much stuff (note 400+ GPS compared to the average 10 - 20) that I wouldn't leave until around 4 in the morning.  The Tuesday before Thanksgiving, I didn't leave until 5:30.  You better believe i'm expecting a hefty paycheck.  I've told a few people about my late nights and they're like "damn," and i realized that I failed to mention that they're not scheduling me till 5:30, that I choose to stay that late.  Because technically i can leave at 2.

The Dark Knight is at Briarwood...

If anyone needs me, you know where I'll be...

It's the End of the World As We Know It... And I Feel Fine

I'm going to start off by saying that I am absolutely pleased with the results of the election.  Obama won the presidency and proposal 2 passed.  However, I can't get over the ridiculous over reaction of McCain supporters.  Some of the status' on facebook I've seen lately have made me shake my head:

Joe watched in silence as a nation fell, slaughtering it's own people, stealing from the accomplished, putting skin color above intelligence, and sacrificing hope.

Joseph feels very very sick. The state of Michigan is officially evil, and the U.S. is in trouble.

Mary is sick to my stomach over this. We are in huge trouble. God, have mercy on our country.

Now, most of the negative status' that I've seen are from the single issue (abortion) voters.  So because prop 2 passed and we elected a president who doesn't have the most ideal views on abortion, there is no hope in the country and we're doomed?  There's people who seriously believe Barak is going to put on a turban, and that he will let the terrorists into our country and everyone will get shot.  Really now?  Come on.

I was at work today taking a little break surfing facebook when out of nowhere, a guy I used to play baseball with popped out of nowhere on facebook chat:

Matt

why did you want proposal 2 to pass

2:59pmDavid

the possibility that it can find cures

3:00pmMatt

but they will kill babies to do it

3:01pmDavid

"Embryonic stem cells are derived from embryos by in vitro fertilization. A greater number of embryos are produced than are necessary or suitable for implantation resulting in "excess" embryos."...

""Fertility patients have four options for these embryos," said Jill Roof, CRC research associate. "They can store them, donate them to others seeking fertility treatment, discard them as medical waste, or donate them to research. If Proposal 2008-02 passes, Michigan scientists will be able to conduct research using donated embryos and derive their own embryonic stem cells rather than relying on those from other states that may not meet their needs." (http://www.crcmich.org/election/index.html)"

3:02pmMatt

not all of the embryos will be from vitro fertilization

besides that wont those still become babies too

3:04pmDavid

what makes you so sure that not all are from in vitro fertilization?

3:04pmMatt

I just know that abortion is legal so what do you think they are going to do with all of the embryos

3:06pmDavid

taken from the proposed constitutional amendment:

b) The human embryos were created for the purpose of fertility treatment
and, with voluntary and informed consent, documented in writing, the
person seeking fertility treatment chose to donate the embryos for
research; and
(i) the embryos were in excess of the clinical need of the person
seeking the fertility treatment and would otherwise be discarded
unless they are used for research; or
(ii) the embryos were not suitable for implantation and would otherwise
be discarded unless they are used for research.

so, they're only coming from donations.

3:07pmMatt

just because it says it in the ammendment doesnt mean that is the only way they will get them

what if they are donated from an abortion clinic

3:10pmMatt

I dont know it just kind of scares me

3:10pmDavid

The proposed constitutional amendment would:...

• Provide that stem cells cannot be taken from human embryos more than 14 days after cell
division begins.
• Prohibit any person from selling or purchasing human embryos for stem cell research.
• Prohibit state and local laws that prevent, restrict or discourage stem cell research, future
therapies and cures.

emphasis on the 14 days after cell division part

3:11pmMatt

but does that mean before the 14 days that it wont become a human

it still would become a human

3:12pmDavid

i'm not arguing with that. That just pretty much seals the deal that they're not coming from abortion clinics.

3:12pmMatt

ok

3:13pmDavid

my argument on the whole thing is that it's better than just tossing the embryos that aren't being used.

so they're not going to be growing anyways

3:14pmMatt

Where do these discarded embryos come from anyways

3:14pmDavid

"Embryonic stem cells are derived from embryos by in vitro fertilization. A greater number of embryos are produced than are necessary or suitable for implantation resulting in "excess" embryos."...

3:15pmMatt

oh I see what you are saying

I just dont see why they dont use adult stem cells

3:17pmMatt

they havent found any cures from embryonic stem cell research

3:17pmDavid

yet

3:18pmMatt

i think they are too unstable

3:18pmDavid

you gotta keep in mind that science is ever advancing. Just because they haven't found anything yet doesn't mean they should give up.

3:18pmMatt

I just am scared that they will start doing the vitro fertilization for this purpose

only

i know it says the left over ones

Now really people.  I think you need to do a bit more of an argument than "It's killing babies."  Otherwise you just look like a fool when you toss out a "fact" (Embryos are coming from abortion clinics) that gets shot down with an actual fact (aborted embryos are unsuitable for research and they're coming from fertility clinics).  

"I just don't see why they don't use adult stem cells"

They do use adult stem cells currently in research, but adult stem cells come from bone marrow and are already more "specialized" stem cells that can only become blood cells but the embryonic ones can become anything that's why they're more useful. (Thanks Bethany.)

All I can say is that I don't anticipate the Apocalypse will be happening anytime soon.

Legend of Dr. Brainworm

I was disturbed greatly today.  In church of all places.  I guess I should have expected it though.  At one of the entrances of church, you couldn't help but notice the sign screaming out in silence "2 goes 2 far."   Inside the weekly bulletin was an insert in f.a.q. format explaining why (according to catholic teachings) "2 goes 2 far."  At this point I'm just disappointed and upset.  Here's the part that really disturbed me.  The second question : "Aren't the embryos just going to be thrown away?  Why not use them for research?"

To which their response was: "This argument is simply invalid. (wtf?)  For it to be consistent, society would then have to deem as disposable the terminally ill and condemned prisoners."  Behold, one element I hate about gung-ho catholics.  I feel this answer is insanely invalad and i'll explain why later.  They go on to say: "Using" the human embryos does not accurately describe human embryonic stem cell research.  The reality is that the researcher willingly destroys the living human embryo in order to extract the embryo's stem cells.  Besides, the fact that an embryonic human being is at risk of being abandoned by his or her parents does not give the government the right to destroy that infant human life.  The argument fails to consider the long-term consequences of human embryo research.  When the very limited number of human embryos have been destroyed, from where will the additional embryos come?  The answer, as witnessed in both California and England, is egg extraction, a process that is extremely painful for women and opens the door for the exploitation of minorities, the poor and the most vulnerable.  Embryo destructive research is neither pro-life nor consistent with the Church's teaching on social justice."

They make it sound like they just flat out take eggs from women against their will.  What's with the blowing things out of proportion?

Read: Embryonic stem cells are derived from embryos by in vitro fertilization. A greater number of embryos are produced than are necessary or suitable for implantation resulting in "excess" embryos.

"Fertility patients have four options for these embryos," said Jill Roof, CRC research associate. "They can store them, donate them to others seeking fertility treatment, discard them as medical waste, or donate them to research. If Proposal 2008-02 passes, Michigan scientists will be able to conduct research using donated embryos and derive their own embryonic stem cells rather than relying on those from other states that may not meet their needs." (http://www.crcmich.org/election/index.html)

Now here's the part where I (try) to explain how the response to the "invalid argument" is in itself invalid.  Now keep in mind that I'm flat out against the act of abortion, so that makes me pro-life, right?  Now, what's one thing a major difference between human embryonic stem cells and the terminally ill?  Well you see, most of the terminally ill people were conceived in the womb through the act of sexual intercourse.  Let's label this as "natural."  Human embryonic stem cells are conceived in a petri dish.  Let's label this as "unnatural."  Do you see where I'm going with this?  Because I can't find the words to explain this in detail.

I also want to take this time to state my view on abortion.  I'm against it.  100%.  I think it's very unfortunate that women have them.  I don't mean to sound like i think they just go out and have them for the sake of having them.  I know that's not true.  But I am against them 100%.  Here's the kicker though.  I don't believe the catholic church nor the government should interfere with a woman's decision to have one.  Up until a few months ago I was against it just because that's what the church has been telling me all my life.  I recently read a quote that enabled me to finally grow the balls to actually think for myself: "Democracy demands that the religiously motivated translate their concerns into universal, rather than religion-specific, values. It requires that their proposals be subject to argument, and amenable to reason. I may be opposed to abortion for religious reasons, but if I seek to pass a law banning the practice, I cannot simply point to the teachings of my church or evoke God's will. I have to explain why abortion  violates some principle that is accessible to people of all faiths, including those with no faith at all. -Barack Obama, June 28th 2006, Washington DC

Christianity isn't the only religion out there.

Guess that doesn't make me pro-life anymore... for some reason.

The more and more I think about it, the more Catholics and Christians tick me off.  Not all catholics and christians, let's be realistic here.  Many of them are really great people.  I'm talking about the single issue gung-ho ones, the ones who are going to vote for McCain just because of his position on abortion.  Do they seriously thing that if he is elected, he's going to change the law to ban abortion?  Because he isn't.  There's a very small part of me that wishes he would win just so that when nothing has changed at the end of his term, i can say "Told you so."  You could have a presidential candidate, the worst in the world who's like "Bomb every country, raise taxes! Spend Spend Spend!  Drill Everywhere!  Burn money!" and of course no one would like him.  But once he says the 3 magic words "I'm Pro-Life," he's got 90% of the gung-ho catholics.

This is perhaps my first post ever in my life with a very high potential of pissing people off.