Entry # 7 Me & Blogging

Well, hello again. Today, I wana talk to you about me and blogging (as you could probably tell by the title). Prior to this blog page, I had really no experience with blogging. I had read them and looked at them before, but never had I done one myself. I didn't feel like I could really have anything important to say; and if I did, I didn't really know how to say it. However, that has changed. I have PLENTY to say if you haven't noticed. I can be pretty sarcastic at times and maybe a little blunt in my blogs but hey, at least I don't BS you! Rite? With that said, I have absolutely taken this seriously. I have tried to be humorous at least a little bit to not make it so boring. I hope that hasn't come off as me not caring about this blog or my readers. To the contrary, I ABSOLUTELY care about the content of my blog (ie. what I say), the people who read it, and how I come across. Now, I understand that I am blogging for a class and that is my audience, you. But I didn't change how I would say things or the way i approach topics because of that. I wanted this page to feel as real as possible. For the reader to get a sense of who I really am. I believe that the way I have written this blog has accomplished that. I think I was able to accurately portray my voice; to let the reader know how I REALLY am. As I said before though, I have never written a blog personally. I mean everyone writes on their Facebook page and other social media sites but this was a different experience for me. It was one that I did really enjoy though. I certainly believe that blogging for the class was very valuable. It introduced me to a new way pf writing. I enjoy writing (as you could probably tell by the length of this and other posts) and this was a new outlet to do that. Not only was it valuable in that sense, I was able to interact with my other classmates and get a sense of how the felt and what they thought about what we were doing in the class. I really enjoyed that some of the topics were ones that we could choose ourselves while other ones were topics that were generated for us. Usually those topics related to the class in one way or another so you got a feel for what others were thinking that were in the same situation as you or had seen the same things as you. Along with that, the self generated topics gave me insight into my classmates on a personal level. Chris, when you first gave us this blogging assignment I have to admit I was pretty skeptical. However, after my experience with it, I have to admit it was pretty valuable. I don't really know if there is anything I can suggest to improve upon it. I know I am probably run the risk of sounding like a suck up saying that but it is what it is. Anyways, with all of that said, I really did enjoy this blogging thing. I think me and blogging could do well together. It's probably something that I will continue. It probably won't be on here but I will find an outlet for it. So, I guess that's it huh? Done with English 101? Feels weird. Until next time neighbors. As they say, ONWARD & UPWARD!!

Entry #6 Me and animals. Lemme explain neighbors

♫Ding Ding♫ ♫Ding Ding♫

Well hello neighbors! How are you? The past couple of days, I have been seeing some things that are pretty unsettling to me. Soooo, lets chat. Now, I am REALLY disturbed when it comes to seeing animal abuse. Now, I know you guys are probable saying, "Well, weren't you in the Army? Seeing things like feed lots shouldn't bother you at all." Ummmm, WRONG! Thee is a pretty big difference to me. I am not really sure why, but I think I have an idea. Lemme start by saying I know that when it comes to things like feed lots, they are necessary for me to eat. I'm not saying that I'm gonna go vegan or something, but I just don't wana see it. On the other hand, when it comes to domesticated animals like dogs, cats, etc, I just wana strangle these people who abuse their animals!! I have always been this way but it got significantly worse when I got my dog that I have now. His name is Duke. Here he is......

As you can see, I LOVE MY BUDDY!!! Now, before him, I wasn't such a big advocate of animal welfare. Don't get me wrong, I definitely didn't like animal abuse, but I never got upset like I do now. This dog changed my life. Due to some of the things that happened to me in the Army, I now get seizures. When I have the seizures, I have to I guess you could say be "woken up". Now this is hard because I have these seizures most of the time at night. I would have to have someone watching over me all the time. Before I got Duke, it was hard. Now, when I got him (he was originally my moms dog. Long story) he was really young. He's been around me since he was 6 weeks old, but he became MY DOG when he turned like 6 months. So one nigh, I have a seizure, a pretty bad one apparently. I "come to" with Duke licking my face. I was pretty bloody because I had busted my head open when I fell down and what not. Apparently Duke had seen me have the seizure and "woke me up." Had it not been for him, I could not be here rite now. Ever since then, he warns me when he feels me about to have one, and "wakes me up" after I have one. So I'm trying to get him certified through the VA for a service dog. Now, all Duke (and pretty much ALL dogs) asks for in return is to be loved. All dogs just wana be loved. People abuse dogs and the dogs are sometimes just as happy to see their abusers as if they hadn't been abused. It's crazy for me to imagine why someone would abuse a dog. Man's best friend rite? So, that is why it's really hard for me to watch animals get slaughtered for food, because it makes me think of things like dog abuse. It breaks my heart. So hopefully that sheds a little light on why I am the way I am. So until next time neighbors!

♫Ding Ding♫ ♫Ding Ding♫

Entry #5 Food, Inc. is ABSOLUTELY correct!

Food Inc. is right. What the hell did I just watch? Alright, lemme slow down. I have put some thought into where my food comes from at various periods throughout my life. Being in the Army, a lot of the time you don't really wana know where your food comes from, or what it actually is for that matter. I've seen the movie Super Size Me, so I know how bad fast food is and what not (if you haven't seen that movie, you should check it out). But some of the things in this movie Food, Inc. really had me cringing in my seat. First and foremost, I'm sure all of you guys think I'm just making s BIG DEAL outta nothing when I cringe at the sight of some of the scenes in the movie that show animals in some pretty messed up situations. WHATEVER. I really don't like seeing stuff like that. "But you were in the Army. You should be able to deal with that. I'm sure you've seen worse." Yes, yes I have. There is a difference to me though. I don't know why, there just is okay. I don't really wana get into it, but if you read my next blog, you will understand. Anyways, so yeah. Some of that stuff blows my mind. For example, I knew high fructose corn syrup was in a lot of stuff (pretty much everything), but DAMN!! BATTERIES!! That's pretty crazy. Also, I knew about genetically modified plants and animals and what not. However, I didn't realize that by eating the things that I do, apparently I have a genetic defense against the weed killer Round Up!! I didn't plan on poppin any weeds outta my a** anytime soon. But just in case I do, they'll be taken care of apparently!! Along those lines, I was blown away by the fact that these major corporations can get away with the things that they do. Now, I do a little bit of gardening myself (hey, it's therapeutic. Don't judge me). I am left wondering if my vegetables and what not are able to fall under the same laws that these farmers crops fall under. Come on now, the guys cant keep their own seeds? That's insane! Farming has changed so much from what it used to be. I'm not trying to sound like I'm some old guy or whatever, but I mean it's pretty basic. Or at least it should be. You plant a seed, you tend your crop(s), then you yield the harvest. Now, I know there's A LOT more to it but I'm just summarizing. When did it get to the point that we need all these extra add on's to our food? All these chemicals and what not. When did kids start getting freaking 10 feet tall and 400 pound beasts!? It's crazy! I look at high school kids (or just kids in general, like my own) and it blows me away how big they get now. It wasn't like that when I was in high school. The crap they put in our food is like essentially playing with our genetics. WAKE UP PEOPLE!! I don't know about you, but after watching that, I'm kinda worried. Combine that with the technology that's coming out now and it's even more scary. I don't know guys, I just don't think we should be playing with what mother nature has. She has a system that has worked pretty well so far and now we think we can do all kinds of crazy things to "make it better", ummmmm ya probably shouldn't do that!

Genetically modified apple/orange

Genetically modified kiwi/orange

<<<<I Don't know about you guys, bu I don't think t this is supposed to happen

Is this where we're headed?

Sit Down Neighbors..Lets Talk

♫Ding Ding♫    ♫Ding Ding♫

Well, hello again neighbors. So, lately I have been doing some thinking in regards to technology (this is because I have had to, not because I want to). Now, I am all for technology, and people using it to make their lives easier and what not. Although, I have to admit, technology can sometimes frustrate the hell outta me. But anyways. So I am all for that. BBBUUUUTTTT, I am against using technology in situations where it is not such a good idea. If you've read my blog before this one, you know where this is going. With that said, people, STOP TEXTING AND DRIVING!!! That rite there is Mr. Tyler's pet peeve, most annoying thing, that will send him through the roof very quickly. Like I said, I've talked about this before but I want to talk about it some more because I want all of you to understand this. Plus, I didn't elaborate on it too much before. So, we live in a pretty technologically advanced age. Rite? Pretty much all smart phones come with a speak to text option, Rite? FREAKIN USE IT!! Wait, lemme go back for a second. If someone or something is soooo important that you have to answer their text rite away, use the speak to text option. If you ask me,if the person who supposudly cares about you sooo much that you have to answer them rite away really did care about your well being, THEY WOULD WAIT!! I have found an interesting website here. Just go check out the link and take a look at some of those statistics. They are CRAZY. I think we need to take a lesson from Alaska, check this out....

Now that's what I think EVERY state should do. Now, most of you guys are pretty young. Maybe you don't have kids of your own, maybe you do. Either way, when someone (or hopefully not you) text and drive, EVERYONE is put at risk. Even those innocent little kids who are just trying to grow up. I know I try to make light here on my blog, but this is something VERY serious and personal to me. PLEASE, this is something that needs to stop. Maybe I won't make a huge impact or dent in this problem, but who knows, maybe I (or even you) can save 1 life. Until next time neighbors.....

♫Ding Ding♫ ♫Ding Ding♫

Entry #3: Wall-E

Let's not resort to this.....

Okay. So, WOW. After watching this clip from the movie Wall-E, that's about all I can say. Well, not all but you get what I'm saying. First of all, that was scary. Not only was every human shown in that clip obese, they were also totally disconnected from the world around them. I think this is an excellent representation of how our world is becoming. Now, I ride the bus everyday so I get to see a WIDE variety of people. Some interesting, some not so interesting, and some downright SCARY (trust me on this). Needless to say, I get a pretty good perspective on society. With that said, this clip could not have nailed it more. It seems like everyone around me, not just on the bus but everywhere, has either head phones in or their face glued to their phone. It blows my mind. One thing in particular that stuck out to me in this clip was how people were going places but no one was driving. The chairs were driven on pre-designated paths and the public transit was driven by a robot. SCARY right. Well kinda. What's even more scary to me is when I see people driving and texting. STUPID! STOP DOIN THAT! Now correct me if I'm wrong but pretty much all smart phone's have a speak to text option rite? Well, if something or someone is that important (or cares so little about your well being and life) that you HAVE to answer them rite away, use the dang speak to text. Don't put everyone else in danger. This clip I think shows where society might (or probably is for that matter) headed. I think that we are so caught up in our technical world that driving ourselves is going to become a nuisance. And I believe that this is where we are headed. Or at least something along these lines. Also, another part of the clip that shocked me is how when Wall-E made the woman take off her little electronic headset or whatever you wana call it, she was amazed/shocked at what she was seeing. Today, people don't appreciate the beauty around them because their noses are stuck in their tech. Just like the clip. If people would stop and check out the world around them, they would be surprised (in a good way). Those two points were only very small one's within this clip. The whole thing is almost like looking into a mirror in a way at our society. Pixar Studios (the creator of the movie Wall-E) does an awesome job at portraying this. What's funny is this is supposed to be a kids movie guys! It's scary to me to think where society is going to be when my children are my age or even older. Will they have the same appreciation for natural beauty as I do? I probably have less appreciation for it compared to others that are older than me. It's crazy/scary to think about. This film, considering all of those points, definitely resonates with today's society. Maybe all of the natural wonders/beauty won't be around soon because we won't appreciate it anymore. If you ask me, I don't wana be around for that.

Don't Forget what natural beauty looks like....

Entry #2 Well Hello again Neighbor. Let's Chat...

(♫Would you be mine, could you be mine, won't you be my neighbor♫) Well hello boys and girls. Welcome. Okay, I'm just kidding. But welcome. Today, I'm gonna do some venting. I hope you will be able to learn something, and maybe even get some relief it is something that bothers you as well. Now, when I was a kid, I watched all of the cartoons and children shows that most people did. Sesame Street, Mr. Rogers Neighborhood (obviously), etc. As a child, I REALLY enjoyed those shows. WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED!!?? I watch cartoons now for kids and they are LAME. There were the normal one's like I said before, but then you had your AWESOME one's like Ren & Stimpy and others like that. Ren & Stimpy was my FAVORITE of these though. You had Cinnamon Toast Man in there and others. I remember cartoons like Tic Man, Rugrats, all these cool cartoons. There's NOTHING like them anymore. Sure, you have your Family Guy, Simpsons, stuff like that but nothing close to the classics. I don't know if it's because I'm getting older maybe or that T.V. is really getting worse. I doubt it's me though. That's impossible (sarcasm). However, this doesn't only apply to cartoons, it's T.V. in general. I try to watch ALL different kinds of television and I find myself getting sick to my stomach. Don't get me wrong, there are some exceptions. The cartoons I stated before (Simpsons, Family Guy, American Dad, etc) are good, but not comparable. WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON??!! Most of the shows nowadays (wow can't believe I just said that) television is full of nonsense. I feel like a majority of viewers sit there slobbering on themselves from boredom. Well, there's always the news you say. Murder, murder, fire, murder, etc. There, I just gave you the nightly news. It's depressing. America, FIX YOURSELF!!! Get it together!! Please, if I'm wrong, correct me. Otherwise...well I don't know what otherwise. It just needs to be fixed.

Entry # 1. What do I think?

Well well, look who it is. Yeah, you. So, I haven't really said a whole lot about this here blog stuff. To be honest, I have never written one myself. I have read plenty of them but never authored one. When I go to write a blog, I think "who reads these things? Especially mine?" Well, I guess you do huh. It's not that I don't have anything to say, it;s just sometimes I don't know how to convey that message to you through writing. You know, without the non-verbal ques that are involved in conversation. That usually helps me when I need to convey my message. However, I'm being adventurous and trying something new. Like I said before, I've read plenty of blogs. My opinion of them tends to vary on not only subject matter, but author as well. If I don't care too much about the topic, I probably won't waste my time reading about it. Also, if the author isn't somehow interesting to me, I again probably won't read it. Blogs are interesting to me in some respect though because they are usually short and to the point. I like that. Now, with that said, I recently red a blog titled Post Secret. (Here's the link PostSecret) Now, the author or rather author's of this blog can have a wide range of not only opinions, but topics as well. Couple that with the fact that it is all submitted anonymously, ITS CRAZY/FUNNY/AMAZING!! These people are able to post thoughts or confessions, or whatever they want without any repercussions. Because of that, they say what they want and what they really mean. THAT'S what I like in a blog. I don't want to be fed a bunch of bull s*** the entire time I'm reading, I wanna hear the TRUTH!! You might say "But you can't handle the truth!"....Try me. I think I've got a pretty good stock pile of life experiences where not too much is going to rattle my cage. With all of that said, check it out. Now, on the other hand, there are blogs that, dare I say, PISS ME OFF? Ya, that works. There are some things that just shouldn't be blogged about. It's completely unnecessary. This being one of them Don't waste your time. Now, if you wasted your time clicking into that link and reading that blog, and actually enjoyed it, stop reading now. Do not proceed. Don not pass GO. Do not collect $200. I'm saying this because I just might hurt your feelings. Anyways, this has to be the biggest waste of time and space I have ever seen. It is a blog about Twitter. Now, think about that, a blog about Twitter. JUST GET TWITTER!! Why would you waste your time reading about Twitter when you could actually be apart of the fantastical world of Twitter (Sarcasm)? It makes no sense to me. What, is it too scary for you? You just don't want to take that leap of faith. GET OVER IT. Honestly, you probably shouldn't. You know why, it might blow your mind rite outta this world. And we wouldn't want that now would we (Sarcasm)? Well, anyways, hope you enjoyed. See you next time in Mr. Tyler's Neighborhood...