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!

Mood:
Music: “Wyatt’s Torch” by Immediate Music
Book: “Atlas Shrugged” by Ayn Rand

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!

Mood: Excited
Music: “1,000 Hours” by Green Day
Book: “Atlas Shrugged” by Ayn Rand

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!

Mood: Happy
Music: “I Got You Babe” by Sonny & Cher
Book: “Lord Of The Rings” by J. R. R. Tolkien

I want everyone to understand that I have nothing personal against Emogene Stegall (D), Lake County’s (FL) current Supervisor Of Elections. She and her staff have been very nice to me up to this point. So I am now saying this with all due respect to her and the office:

Dear Emogene Stegall:

The Presidential Primary is now over here in Florida. Time to make a decision on if you want to run again.

Too many times have people passed up signing my candidate petition, because they are unwilling to vote for anyone but you (which is a shame, because the petition just gets me on the ballot). Also people of both political parties keep telling me you are seemingly unbeatable and thus are unwilling to help me in my efforts. I need to know what you are doing, in order to know what I need to do. This will also be completely unfair to the Democrats of Lake County (FL) who would like to run in case you don’t. Other Republicans may also want to run as well.

Now you will most likely have already decided what to do as of this writing and waiting for the primary to be over. Fair enough. I can understand why you would want to do that. However it is now over with and the sooner you come out with this decision the better. Every single incumbent in Lake County who is going to run again has already pre-filed. Time for you to do the same thing.

Well, see ya’ later!

Mood: Patriotic
Music: “Fanfare For The Common Man” by Aaron Copland
Book: “Lord Of The Rings” by J. R. R. Tolkien

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!

Mood: Pissed Off
Music: “Goi, Rode, Goi!” by Arkona
Book: “Lord Of The Rings” by J. R. R. Tolkien

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!

Mood: Adventurous
Music: “Hero Of The Day” by Metallica
Book: “Lord Of The Rings” by J. R. R. Tolkien

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!

Mood: Worried
Music: “The Fearless Must Endure” by Jasta (feat. Zakk Wylde)
Book: “Lord Of The Rings” by J. R. R. Tolkien

*Shameless Plug: Nine Months

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!

Mood: Patriotic
Music: “Money (2011 – Remaster)” by Pink Floyd
Book: “Lord Of The Rings” by J. R. R. Tolkien

SOPA is being sold as a way to stop the piracy of movies and music from overseas sites, and this is a problem, but the bill goes much further than just addressing this issue.

For instance if you are the owner of a website and someone posts a bit of copyrighted material in a comments section or in a forum, the owner of the copyright can ask the government to take down your site. You may not even know that someone posted such content, yet you wake up one morning to find your site, and perhaps livelihood, gone from cyberspace with only digital tumble weeds left in its place.

Imagine how this would affect some of your favorite sites, Facebook for instance.

I also agree with Nick Sorrentino that online piracy of movies and music is bad. If I made a movie or was a musician, I would what to stop piracy of my work. However this is the wrong way to fight piracy. I will not sit back and see this happen.

So I am joining the bipartisain “Strike” to show that I oppose SOPA/PIPA.

Well, see ya’ later!

Mood: Patriotic
Music: “Demanufacture” by Fear Factory
Book: “Lord Of The Rings” by J. R. R. Tolkien

“But Gator, why are you wasting your vote?”

I can do so if I so choose. This is, after all, still a free country (at least for the time being) and it is my vote. I understand this is a protest vote, but I don’t care anymore.

I still love and support Herman Cain’s 999 Plan. I think it is a just plan and thus I declare it on this day. Remember that Martin Luther King Jr. once said:

“The moral arc of the universe bends at the elbow of justice.” -Martin Luther King, Jr.

Note that Martin Luther King Jr. did not say fairness, for even he knew life isn’t fair. Martin Luther King Jr. knew justice and the rule of law was more important.

Herman Cain also understands that life isn’t fair. He once said:

“Don’t blame Wall Street, don’t blame the big banks. If you don’t have a job and you are not rich, blame yourself!” -Herman Cain

He’s right. I have no one to blame because I don’t have a job.

So I will vote for Herman Cain, not just because he’s black and not just because this is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. I will vote for him because in my heart of hearts, I feel it is the right thing for me to do. I will go to bed knowing I voted for the right person, running for the right reasons, for the job of President of the United States. I will fullfill Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream for the right reasons, for content of character and not color of someone’s skin.

Well, see ya’ later!

Mood: Patriotic
Music: “Amazing Grace” by John Newton
Book: “Lord Of The Rings” by J. R. R. Tolkien