Update

... Jacob Year 3 video is being burned to DVDs as I type. I'd like to give a special thanks to Tom for his excellent editing. It really looks professional and came out as a very high quality product. For all who view the videos, this version will have much better cuts, shorter clips, great music and a lot of clever montages. We owe Tommy a big thanks.

... Jacob is doing really well in school and the class is getting back up to full capacity. Many of his friends are back in school from the summer break. He's been very cheerful lately and a joy around the house.

... I have been really thinking through the short story I have developed. I have really been researching effective character development as well as useful tools for making that character resonate with a reader. For one, I am reading Fyodore Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment, which places the reader into the mind of a person brilliantly. But, my most inspirational enlightenment came from an otherwise mundane class.

I was at a CLE program when I learned the name for my conceptual goal. That is "cognitive bias." I always discuss paradigms and a large part of my story is perception and perspective. So, I have researched cognitive biases and have picked some to apply to my characters.

A judge actually told a story that illustrated cognitive bias. She discussed how two people can perceive the same events very differently without lying. The axiom that "someone must be lying," therefore, is rarely correct. Instead, the lenses through which we see events are tainted by these biases (whether conscious or unconscious).

I try not to have a "post-modern" or "morality is in the eye of the beholder" perspective, but cognitive bias is very real and it colors everything. I see it in my line of work all the time. I will be exploring this in depth in my story and will probably concentrate most of my writing on that in the coming weeks.

... The Broncos will have a terrible season and every college team I usually follow (CU and UVA) both look to have rough seasons. Therefore, for a one-year trial, the guys and I have decided to adopt a team to save the football season. We will be rooting for the Cal Bears this year. I'm all in! George Carlin once put sports into perspective by saying "you don't leave an opera angry, and the same should apply to sports." I'll still follow my teams, but I'm in on Cal so I can taste a good season. It'll make the otherwise crappy taste of multiple bad seasons go down a little more smoothly.

Health Care Debate

What about this campaign sign says "Status Quo" to you?

Health care reform. It's coming. It's needed. It's time.

Unfortunately the rhetoric and anger has managed to steal the spotlight, as usual. We must be discussing an issue of importance because the usual words are flying around. "Socialist" has made its triumphant return. *Sigh*.

Somehow, in a stroke of unspeakable ignorance, some have managed to convince themselves that the reform will lead to "death panels." Again, *sigh*.

The torches and pitchforks are ready for deployment.

Distraction and ignorance aside, I think this is a crucial issue. I also think that the people of this county have already decided to change our current system. My reading of the extreme opposition is that there is an attempt to restart the debate about whether or not reform should happen at all.

That debate has been decided. To paraphrase the White House spokesman when addressing criticism by Dick Cheney, "the American people debated the issue... it happened in November... we even kept score. We won."

Therefore, the legitimate question is how health care should be reformed. It's a legitimate debate. There is room for discussion, and the details should be hashed out. It's a big decision.

Shouting does not accomplish that.

However, the shouting has reached such a pitch that the hand has officially been overplayed. The party of "the silent majority" and "love it or leave it" has not taken well to being the vocal minority.

I support the proposed plan for a variety of reasons. First, it is very consistent with the message given on the campaign trail. I feel like President Obama is trying to fulfill one of the promises that led to his election. I'm getting what I voted for. Woot!

Second, it makes sense and addresses key specifics. It's not perfect, but its an improvement. After all, politics is the art of the possible. Single-payer won't pass and the status quo is not an option. Despite the charges of socialism, this is another middle-ground proposal by Obama. Again, this is what I voted for.

I like the idea of ridding the world of pre-existing conditions. I like having an affordable option so we won't have 47 million uninsured people (which makes everything more expensive). I like the streamlining of paperwork and the introduction of efficient technology to help cut costs. Standardizing forms should mean less manpower needed to deal with the vast array of forms and procedures that come from each different company.

In spite of the overwhelming news coverage, I have heard some well-reasoned arguments in favor of a different structure for reform. What I have not heard is a legitimate argument to change nothing. Those arguments are being made (you can see them on the news, complete with bulging neck veins).

I have had some discussions with some people about this issue. I am always open to political discussion so long as its reasonable and courteous. I've actually had a few good experiences.

Sometimes the discussion is a one-sentence statement refuting the notion that everyone will be required to have government health care. The most rewarding involved a young person who promised to look into the issue for himself after initially springing the "socialism" cop-out.

I don't care if people disagree with the proposed plan. I just ask that everyone research the specifics so we can strain out the nonsense (seriously, there will not be death panels). I am amazed at how dearly held some of the most outrageous rumors can be (no, we will not be condemning everyone over 74 to death... just not going to happen).

Thank you Internet for transferring crazy further and deeper than any printing press could.

Also, bring a proposal to the discussion. It's easy to be against something, so I will be looking for proposed solutions that work. How will the private market create coverage for 47 million uninsured? How will those with diseases get coverage? There isn't one way to do it, but the proposal must address those issues.

I am happy to have the discussion. I love it. I'm excited that this is (probably) going to happen this year. It's just that I refuse to discuss whether or not change should happen at all. That's not what 60 million Americans voted for.

More Music

I've decided to explore some music performances to supplement my music post from before.

Lately I've enjoyed searching Youtube for interesting music performances that I either remember or had heard about.

First up is this Michael Jackson clip. I remain fascinated by how popular Michael Jackson was during life and how that popularity has inexplicably increased after death. No one in the public eye has ever remained an icon despite charges of sexual abuse of children. No politician, no celebrity, no athlete. No one except Michael Jackson has survived even an allegation of that particular offense. Without comment toward his guilt or innocence, it's just amazing that the accusation didn't ruin his popularity.

I actually remember when MJ was on top of the world. I remember when Beat It was released on video and how that sent shockwaves through the schoolyard. I remember dad showing us his recording of the video for Billie Jean. So, I actually remember when he ruled pop culture above everyone else. Just look at the people in the audience during this clip and you will see it.

No amount of plastic surgery, no allegation and no weird behavior could stand up to the love fans seemed to feel for him (which is just intesting to me). And, he could sure dance.

(As a side note, check out old interviews on Youtube with Michael Jackson and you will see that even in his Thriller days he was "eccentric" and showed the beginnings of a life as a strange recluse. For some reason his story fascinates me).



I remember hearing Fleetwood Mac a lot growing up. I even remember working for a newspaper and noticing how often I typed Rhiannon when entering the accomplishments of local children. The band made its mark on a generation.



... All I have to say is Jimi.



KISS, shown in a trippy live performance on some Halloween special back in the day.



DMB doing Cortez the Killer with Warren Hayes. I love the guitar work in this song. It's long, but I loved every minute.




Good beat with this one from across the pond. Great to dance to even if its a bit dark.



I just love this mix. It's Jay-Z, Eminem, 50-cent, Linkin Park and Dr. Dre all mixed together. I've been really getting into mixed music lately.




I think that covers just about every genre that would be on youtube. Everything but Country, but I hate Country music and its my list.

Text Madness

I don't get texting, I just don't. I especially don't get texting while driving, but that's another story altogether. I get cell phones. I just don't get texting.

Maybe I'm just shaking my cane right now, but I don't see the use. I get the purported benefits; short, quick instant messages. "I'm on my way." "Movie starts at 7." "Just drove by your house and it's on fire." (more accurately: "drv by u house, it n fr"). Such things can be more easily just said. Or, and I know this is old fashioned, one could just show up at a predetermined time.

I use instant-message online all the time, but it feels like talking and I'm at the computer reading while doing so, so it seems to fit. Much like taking a cell phone call, I am locked in with IM. Also, I don't have to use abbreviations to communicate.

I also use my cell phone a lot. It's great. It provides all the convenience a person could need. I call, and receive calls, from anywhere. Huzzah!

Do people text because of the ease alone? Do people text because they can't handle just being alone and quiet? Or do we do it because its just there? For all the benefits of speed and instant, short communication, those legitimate functions seem to have become secondary.

For example, I heard of a teenager who texted more than 1,000 times in a month. I've even heard that such a number has even become common for many people. Of the more-than 30 messages per day it would take to reach 1,000 in a month, most of those would have to be conversational, right?

So, if you text to converse, why not just talk? Judging by how many people will text at the dinner table, text in line or interrupt a conversation to answer a text, either the text or the incoming texter would seem to be preferred. Either way, it pushes us further away from face-to-face interactions.

It was even suggested that Jay Cutler was able to hide behind texting to avoid looking his coach in the eye without his agent there to run a screen. Whether texting actually encourages people to avoid eye contact is to be determined, but it definitely encourages more bold communication and, I believe, a much higher incidence of miscommunication.

Texting also can be maddeningly inefficient.

I received an inquiry about our car for sale via text asking if the car was for sale. I answered "yes." I then received a text asking if he could see it sometime this week. So... I ended the pointless charade and called him and set up a time in about 10 seconds. The texting back and forth took much longer. At that point, texting is not quicker, or more efficient. In fact, I got so tired of the text game I just called and got the matter settled in a snap. How's that for advanced technology?

Finally (and this is where my cane gets out of control), I have read that text language (like "ur" and "plz" etc.) has found its way into school assignments produced by students. I realize that languages are literally alive and that they never stop changing. I also realize that grammar sometimes changes over generations. But, I also don't want someone to find this blog from a cyber-archeology dig and consider it a relic of a language now lost. Imagine that: "These words, they are so inefficiently long! And what are all those symbols? Could they serve any purpose?" (more likely: ths wrds r so crzy lng! symbls? y?).

I spent a lot of time (and money) learning how to make a sentence sound like a voice in your head with those crazy symbols, so, for selfish reasons, I don't want our language to change. At least not until I'm dead. Which has a much higher chance of happening since I keep seeing drivers staring at their laps on the road.

Update and Pictures

Update:

... I have finally developed the skeleton structure of a short story idea. I am cultivating it and working through the story, but I have a ways to go before its finished. At least now I know exactly where it's going. I will enjoy doing this. I have wanted to get kick started on developing some sort of a book, and this is a start. I am really psyched about the story I have developed and look forward to developing it. I may post it here in pieces (it will be long). I have even started looking into how to publish and have found a lot of useful ideas. If you know me at all, you probably guessed that it will focus on paradigm shifts. I may even try a rough draft or two on the blog for any comments. You know, for all you crickets out there to read and comment upon.

... Anyone interested in a 1996 Mustang, give us a call. We have one for sale.

... I've been screaming through books on the Kindle. Just finished number 18 on the year. At least I'm on the final Malcolm Gladwell book. Those books are phenomenal and if I discover another, then my pace will only quicken. Anyone who reads his three books (Tipping Point, Blink and Outliers) will have quite a study in human nature. I actually feel like he has taught me something useful about how we all function. This is the kind of information that can lead to actual change in life for the better and deep understanding of people and how to intensify and deepen interaction. I cannot recommend them any higher.

... Jen and I took vacation last week. We took Jacob to the Aquarium on Monday, to BOUNCE! on Tuesday and then kept him in school the rest of the week. We relaxed, but did not do any traveling beyond Denver. The break was needed, but we are both feeling refreshed.

PICTURES:

Jacob after eating rasberries from Jen's garden.


My Jen:

Jacob stained with rasberry juice:

Caught in the act:

This guy hits the nail on the head

Weekend Pictures

This weekend we took Jacob to a local water park and celebrated our 10th Anniversary. It was a wonderful weekend filled with wonderful weather. Here are some pics.