BigGator5.net

I just finished Atlas Shrugged a couple of days ago and my head is still spinning. And I have to say, don’t listen to the critics. It is a great read. I am not going to give an in depth analysis of the book or it’s plot, but I do have a few things to say about it:

Once around the age of 20, I picked up this book and was bored though the first chapter and stopped. I pick it up now and I couldn’t put it down. Now I can hear nothing but the antagonists from some politicians and it scares me that we are too late.

Someone said to me the other day: “I think part of the attraction is that it’s basically one train wreck after another, metaphorically and literally.”

Maybe, but I also think I had to grow into the book. Atlas Shrugged is not for intellectual lightweights or immature people. I’m not trying to be insulting, because I had to grow ten years before I could fully appreciate this book myself.

I most connect with the characters of Eddie Willers and Jeff Allen. I would assume most people do, since both were written as the “everyday man” for the book. I’m not an inventor like John Galt nor will I ever reach the level of success of Hank Rearden, but I do think that I can make something of myself one day. However I do break with Eddie Willers in not joining the men in wagons in the desert at the end of the book. You have to know your limits and when to walk away.

There is hardly much I disagree with the book’s philosophy, except on the idea of giving and Ayn Rand’s ideas on religion (which goes hand in hand). I think that if you are giving of yourself freely for some cause you believe in with the understanding that you can stop giving to said cause and to believe in something greater than yourself (without devaluing yourself), that is free will. If a government forces you to do something beyond your moral code, then that is slavery. Having your money (a representation of your value and work) taken forcibly through taxes to give to another (wealth redistribution), is also slavery.

Again, I think it was a satisfying read. I think everyone should try to read it at least once. They should find a enjoyable read.

Well, see ya’ later!
(more…)

I finally got word from DragonGate. If anything, I can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that she’s alive. I was honestly worried she got hurt there in Italy or on her way there. I’m just thankful she’s back in my life.

You know, I just finished up Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand and one of the things about love in that book is that it should be earned. I agree. She has earned my love to her, but I have yet to earn her love.

And that’s ok. I need to do her right in life and that means being able to stand on my two feet. I want her to be proud of me, like I am proud of her. Once that happens, I can really love her the way I should be able too: Looking right at her, instead of up at her (metaphorically, of course).

Anyway, I am thinking of writing a short review of Atlas Shrugged. It is really a great book and want to get down my thoughts.

Well, see ya’ later!
(more…)

Awww… Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow this morning and it’s going to be six more weeks of winter. However I don’t mind that much, because I honestly don’t like the heat (but I can’t see myself living anywhere else but Florida). Going to Punxsutawney and seeing the groundhog is one of the items on my bucket list.

But I also came here to talk about one of my all time favorite movies, which is also called Groundhog Day! It is one of my all-time favorite movies and one where I will go out of my way to see if I can.

Bill Murry plays Phil Connors, an egocentric and very unlikable Pittsburgh TV weatherman. He doesn’t like Groundhog Day and he can’t stand Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania in which they are trapped there by a blizzard with his news producer Rita (Andie MacDowell) and cameraman Larry (Chris Elliott). Then he starts to relive the same day over and over again. When Phil Connors losses his fear of long-term consequences, he takes complete adventage of the town. He even tries to suduce Rita (unsuccessfully I might add), which turns to love for her. He then meets an old homeless man which he unsuccessfully tries to help many times. When this leaves him unfullfilled, he tries to kill himself. However he wakes up again everyday at 6 o’clock on the dot.

On advice from Rita, he chooses instead to improve himself. He learns to play the piano, ice sculpt, and speak French. He also begins to use his knowledge of the town to help people. He even starts to buy insurance from his once annoying high-school acquaintance that he had forgotten long ago.

After one successful day, he and Rita finally kiss. It snows right then, an event that never happen before, and in the morning he wakes up with Rita (in which they did NOT have sex). It’s February 3rd and the time loop is at last broken.

Now I don’t know if it is the “most spiritual film” of all time, but I do think it is a film of individual redemption. Also, he is selfless for himself than for anyone else. After indulging in his ego’s self-indulgent nature and multiple suicide attempts when that brings him no fullfillment, he turns his life around (though some promting). This is indeed a great film and a great message. I suggest everyone watch it at least once.

Well, see ya’ later!
(more…)

Wait, Twitter has a follow limit? Weak. I like Twitter, but I’ve hated this “New Twitter” and now this follow limit that I knew nothing about.

You know, go ahead and follow me. I will follow you back as soon as I can. I created a hidden list and as soon as I can get back to follow you, I will.

Couple of random stuff:

Finishing up Lord Of The Rings soon. I am reading it (and The Hobbit earlier) because of the upcoming Hobbit movie. Judging by the trailer that came out, it looks to be good. There will be more trailers to come and can’t wait for when they come out.

Big election tomorrow here in Florida. I will be getting organized today and heading out to the polls to get signatures tomorrow so I can get on the ballot.

Well, see ya’ later!
(more…)

Oh.

My.

God.

I have been watching Adventure Time and I can’t get enough of this show! Yeah, I know it is a cartoon made for kids, but it is one of the best shows on right now. While it is on the silly-side often and it has a nonsensical-side at some times, it has a depth that most live action shows, that are made for adults even, greatly lack. The world has a very mysterious past, which I hope never gets fully answered or explained.

Just to prove my point, it has it’s very own wiki site in which you can get lost in. There you can explore the world after you are done watching the show.

I am personally enjoying the show when I can catch it, which is less often than I would like.

Well, see ya’ later!
(more…)

I still haven’t heard anything out of DragonGate going on NINE MONTHS* now.

While I worry about her, I know she’s an adult and that she can take care of herself. However not hearing from her has upset me greatly. Just wish there was some way I can get in contact with her and to hear her voice or know she’s ok.

But I must push on. Life stops for no one, including love.

Well, see ya’ later!
(more…)

You might have seen a few changes being made around here. That is because I am now really sick of being pennyless. So I am seeing if I can make a few bucks around here. From now on, below the fold, Music and Books I am listening and reading will be linked to Amazon so that you can buy what I am reading/listening at this very moment. I suggest you check them out.

I also have a store that I have a few items (please send suggestions) in or you can go right onto Amazon and buy stuff. I will also have stuff there to buy on the side scroll. Even if you don’t buy any of the items listed, just click on through and then buy whatever (I still get the sell).

Buy some music:

Or shop a while at Amazon. Get stuff and help a brother out.

Well, see ya’ later!
(more…)

I have had a cough for the last week and I have had enough today. So I took to the internet to see if it was worth heading to the doctor.

I punched up dry cough for a week and came accross this web page. After doing some quick research on items on the page, I can safely say that what I have is just post-nasal drip due to my allergies. I am not feeling sick, I’m just coughing all day long.

The reason why I was so prelex about this coughing, is because this HAS NEVER HAPPEN BEFORE (not against my sharp memory). The disavantage of getting old, I guess.

I’ve been taking cold meds for the last week, which is coming to an end right now. What a waste.

Well, see ya’ later!
(more…)

Well, only one real resolution which I already stated some posts ago: Lose some weight. This is of course, not really a hard and fast New Year’s Resolution.

Yesterday, one of my friends (rightly) berated me on the fact that I don’t have a good answer about my past and that people won’t elect me because of that. She’s right, I don’t have a good answer. However I will not be apologetic about my past. Everyone would like to have had a stable career and/or a job right now. Yet I am making no excuses for this, because life is not fair. I can sit in the corner and cry about it or I can bring focus to my life while moving Lake County Elections into the 21st. If people don’t want to vote for me because I am unapologetic or don’t have a good answer about my past, so be it.

Yesterday is dead and gone. I have always said you can either sit around feeling sorry for yourself or do something right here and right now. Today is the first day of the year, but it is also the first day of the rest of my life. A new chapter is being written and I know how I will write it, for no one will do it for me. The fight is only over when I give up. I will never give up and never surrender.

No, I have no current New Year’s Resolutions. I love my life and have no regrets. Time to get busy and get to work.

Well, see ya’ later!
(more…)

At the December 20th Meeting of Lake County’s Board of County Commissioners, I was appointed to the Elder Affairs Coordinating Council by Commissioner Jennifer Hill.

I know I am not an elder per say, but I do currently live with my grandmother and I hope to grow old in Lake County. So, if anything, I do have a unique perspective I hope to bring to the council.

I am also running for local office here. However seeing that meetings take place on Thursday mornings at 9am, I don’t think there will be any conflict. I told Commissioner Hill that my top proity would be the council.

There are two things I want to do while on the council:

1. Lake County Senior Fest 2012, 2013 – Don’t know what happen to 2011 Senior Fest (don’t see anything on the site), but I think this is great event. Look into seeing if the VA can also come to assist senior veterans as well.
2. Restart Lake’s “The Elder Council Ledger” – The last one was published in June of 2009! I know most senior citizens are not taking advantage of the internet, but Baby Boomers and those behind them will definitely use something like this online. I will more than happy to offer any help that I can in this effort.

Again, these are just a few of the items I see that maybe we can do again and better. I hope to work with the other twelve members of the council on these and other important items.

[UPDATE] My first meeting will be Januray 26, 2012 at the Lake County Agricultural Center, 1951 Woodlea Road, Training Room A, Tavares, FL. Please come out and visit.

Well, see ya’ later!
(more…)