If I Die In My 1st Marathon...

1. I should back track. If I'm to survive my 1st marathon, please note that I promise to purchase a watch in preparation for my 2nd. I will also study a pace chart, thoroughly get to know the course and do long runs that span longer than 7 miles.

2. Big Sur to Monterrey isn't a bad location to keel over. Amongst the redwoods and with an ocean view.

3. I want to be cremated, my ashes tossed in the Pacific. I want a memorial service with many friends and family, a post-party with Marty doing something stupid (probably a female), and a picture of me shirtless and a caption reading, "The Incredible Hul-labaloo"

4. A picture of me doing stand-up with a caption reading, "please don't laugh."

5. For some of the meaningful things I've tried to say to take on some sort of meaning, and furthermore, application in others' lives.

6. To know that jokes and goofing around have a meaning far beyond the exultation a punchline exudes.

7. If you want something, do it now. Don't wait. Don't rationalize it until later. Do it now. Hence 26.2.

8. The Simpsons is a great education.

9. Why I could die happy at 23 and why I'm running a marathon:

"...Hans felt...at peace with himself and what he was doing. He had always been terrified of plane turbulence, as if he might die with the best inside of him, but now he could fly through a violent storm sleeping like a baby. Strange indeed." - The 4-Hour Workweek, page 39.

and... "you don't need to prove nothin' to nobody except yourself." - guess the apropo movie title

Yellow: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qI8I6qcxWyU

Prosecuting Torture...and Surprise from Fox's Shep Smith

I've been waiting to talk about this as it continues to develop. However, it seems a few things are quite clear on the subject of what we've done to suspected terrorists. Memos have been released. We knew it before but now it is a bit more official.

People at the highest level of the Bush administration (including Bush himself) authorized tactics such as water boarding. Who took the heat? Ground-level people -- soldiers, sergeants -- pawns in a classic government game. Some were jailed, careers were ruined, embarrassed, one went as far as committing suicide.

Some still argue, including the former Vice President Dick Cheney, that the methods were effective in obtaining information that prevented further terror attacks. So, even if it is immoral and illegal, if it is effective, should we do it? Do the ends justify the means? Do we have principles, or do we just say that we do until times get tough? Does America torture? Is it wrong if we do?

And so is the same with going forward to prosecute Bush officials who committed these acts. Logically, it'd make sense to hold those who made an illegal call accountable. But what a bind to be in when those people are the opposition party in the highest government office in the most powerful nation in the world? Serious conundrum for the Obama administration.

Lets be clear. Torture is an ineffective long-term strategy. At the most, if Dick Cheney is right, torture is a band-aide and that's it. On the flip side, terrorists who have been innocently tortured have gone back to attack America after their release. There is a much larger systemic problem having to due how we deal with terror organizations and enemy countries. This is an answer for smart, sophisticated, and policy-driven people.

So should we prosecute Don Rumsfeld, Dick Cheney, and Condoleeza Rice? Legally, if it looks like they did what it looks like they did, yes. Morally, is it right to go after people at the top (even if those people are the very top level elected officials), yes. No one is above anyone else, right? Politically, should we? Maybe not. This is Obama's conudrum.

Here's one offered solution that I don't know if I agree with, but I'll offer it: Free up the ones who paid the price down the line, acknowledge the mistake on the part of the country, make known big time throughout the world who signed off on it, and then make clear that this administration won't do the same.

This was surprising as hell, but am pleased to see it:

Shep Smith, Fox News Host, "We are America, We Do Not Fucking Torture": http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/22/shepard-smith-torture_n_190350.html

Hot as Hell in LA

3 triple digits days in a row, the dogs are panting, and small colonies are cloning in my nether region. It is hot as hell in LA. Even by the beach, balmy weather. My regards go out to those in the Valley...any valley. Florida is suffocating with the humidity. Same with Louisiana and the bayou. Out here, it seems to cook instead of engulf you. A sauna vs. an oven, is how my friend referred to the comparison.

Running wise, I have to say the oven is better. I like not having to ring out my shorts, or for the frat boy in me, lose eyesight over the burning hair gel that floods into my vision. Either way, I've figured out why people live in Colorado and/or have working AC. Of course, my slum lord has yet to get around to fixing the AC just like the lack of heat from December-February. But he's such a nice guy because he "lets me have a dog."

As I write this, sweat forms in the crevices of the back of my knees and my dog lays on the hardwood floor, a resourceful pup she is. Outside isn't as bad. But this house traps heat. I remember last summer the house I lived in trapped heat as well. And it was in the Valley! And AC was not in use either! And I lived in an upstairs bedroom! We're talking about a hotbox of 110+ degree temps!

I don't quite know what the moral to this rant is. Maybe, get AC or live near the beach for the sea breeze or summer in Colorado or the northeast. Fortunately, I'm moving next week into a living room in Marina Del Rey. That's right, a living room. For 700 a month including utilities and Internet. That's LA. But I'll be very close to the Venice Beach bars and literally on a Marina. For 3 months...I can swing it. I've had worse.

Ok, here's a moral that may apply. When things get a bit "stressed," remember the toughest circumstance you've ever been in. For me, it was losing my mom. 2nd, the Canton, GA cops. Think about how hard life was. Or, if your life's been a breeze to this point, flip on the news. Maybe NPR. Listen to what others in countries not so well off have to go through. Try hard to not take your circumstance for granted. Realize how lucky you are. Even if you're not the luckiest. Life doesn't have to be hard. If you're in a stuffy house w/ no AC, an extremely messy roommate and an irresponsible landlord, get out of it. Now. Same with the job. Need to lose weight? Get fit? Go. Now. Come on. Stop surfing Facebook/looking up porn. You have it in you.

The Luckiest: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZ-y-bbbwKw

Traveling

Whenever I check out somebody's online profile, one of the most popular "hobbies" or "interests" I see is traveling. If it is not on your list, suffice it to say, it should. I've done a bit of traveling. Not nearly as much as a lot of people. But it's a priority, and it'll continue to happen.

Eagle Rock in Topanga
(where I ran today)

I'm motivated to write this because I ran a bit further today on a trail I've talked about before: Topanga Canyon in LA. The reason why this canyon trail is so cool to me is because it is geographically

centered between Malibu/Santa Monica and the Pacific Ocean and what's often referred to as "the Valley." Topanga has a personality all its own, though. It's like a small Carolina mountain town. But if you run long enough and high enough you get to enjoy the Pacific and Valley view. It is amazing.

Now, I didn't have to travel too far to see this. At least not today. Last May, when I moved cross country from Florida, I did however. People who know me assume I came here for comedy, but I didn't. I came because there's opportunity I didn't have where I was. Yes, opportunity to strike it big in entertainment. But what's so much more appealing was and still is the opportuntiy I had to meet knew people and see some of the most amazing landscapes in North America and the world.

Next week, I'll be running my first marathon in Big Sur, CA. I chose this race, not for time, but for location. I may not even register for the race, because its expensive and I'm a baller on a budget. I'll probably camp Saturday night or even find a cozy spot to car sleep. Again, not running this for a killer time.

Sometimes finances and time can strap you, but we can still pick our best spots and go for them. Kill two birds with one stone...meet a friend half-way and visit a city you've never seen.

I'm not so self-assured to say that traveling is the ultimate learning experience, but if it is not, it has to be pretty high up on the board. Today on my run, I considered advice I've heard and advice I've given. The greatest words don't match actually experiencing something. Sitting in class is static. Experiencing provides retention and offers a truly unique translation of events that happened. Think back to a time when you visited somewhere cool. Now think back to a time when someone told you about some place you had never been to. Which do you remember better? Which one holds more meaning? Conjures up more vivid feelings?

I have a friend from Australia. An Aussie through and through. This guy is tough. When it comes to work, when it comes to partying. One time, after making a crass sexual remark in which I lol'd to, he went on to make an extremely profound statement. "My goal is to travel every inch of this Earth before I die."

I often repeat that statement in my head randomly. It sticks out. It is a simple, yet bold statement. And I often think, "why is it so bold? It's so simple." Because, the word "travel" has so many levels. A word that can rearrange itself from verb to noun. And instead of explaining what I mean, travel for yourself. Keep doing it.

Gomez, See the World: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKJJRnuCwF4

The Android's Conundrum

Part I:

Often times, we -humans - find ourselves wrapped up in a puzzle. The puzzle begins somewhere around age 5 and seems, initially, fairly easy to figure out. At least at my elementary school, they provided motivational speakers who always told us to never say we can't do anything. Somehow, at almost 24, I find myself writing, my friends posting quotes, and my elders buying books about the same thing. Rarely do we live it out. Rarely do we act as if we can do anything.

Instead, we get married young, sometimes producing kids even younger. We resign to life in a cube. We search for a 401K and a healthcare plan, so we can put off dying. In the mean time, what we really put off is living. We give up. But we do it gradually, and we don't like to admit it. Our sense of wonder wains and is replaced by an easy chair and a sporting event. Ironically, the sporting event contains the type of people many of us are not.

But maybe we were once. Maybe we weren't at all. If we weren't at all, no harm, no foul. But if we were...just for a bit...why'd we give up?

This isn't meant to be a castigation, but an honest realization.

Part II:

3 Situations:

1. The middle-aged guy who sits home and watches the college team. Works the 9-5 and lives for the weekend. Has a wife, some kids. His daily office greeting is just about as predictable as his morning and evening shits, respectively.

2. The connected one. Apparently, in business, it is popular to have a "mentor." What makes a great mentor? I don't really know. But, I'd guess that number 1, you can't be a great mentor if you're not connected or well-off.

3. The Mexican immigrant aunt whose niece I tutor. Her dream is to learn how to use a computer. She's taking classes to learn and when I visit to tutor I've started working with her for a few minutes each time to show her how to use google.

I wonder how often these types think about each other? Put themselves in each other's shoes? Even cross-paths in a typical day? When we vote we presume to have firm stances on taxes, immigration, abortion, war. But do we know the soldier from the ghetto? Are we the well-connected business man with a solid upbringing and good education? Do we know what it is like to live in a really, really corrupt and poor nation? Do we know our advantages and disadvantages, our strengths and our weaknesses as opposed to our fellow humans? Do we care? Do we question? What's wrong with questioning? Have beers, have fun, but is there more to us?

Call it thinking outside of the box, but I think it is much more about thinking outside of ourselves. Thinking outside of what we think we know. Yes, it takes effort. Mental effort. But do it enough, action may even arise. The simplicity of a 5-year-old may even come out.

Le Shins: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHTSxw6zN1E&feature=related

I Tea Bagged Ann Coulter

For many a rational American male, it has been a long-time goal to tea bag Ann Coulter. Her controversial and often times hate mongering statements have made her a best-seller on book shelves, on TV and radio, through public speaking, in op-ed pieces in major newspapers, and in the dirty thoughts that often linger in my head.

God, just for one time, could I get with a tall, pretentious blond whom pawns off narrow-minded viewpoints as erudition of the world. I can't put this any other way. Sorry if I offend you. But damn it, I want to have angry sex with Ann Coulter. Just once. In the morning, we'll swing by the Hardees for an Egg and Bacon sandwich and some Minute Maid OJ. And never again will I call her back.

Yesterday, on April 15Th Tax Day, completely unintended by the inner workings of my head...I got one step closer to my dream. Among the hype of the truly grassroots campaign that was the 4/15/09 Tea Party, during my mid-day nap, I tea-bagged Ann Coulter!

While laying in my queen-sized bed I got from two gay guys for free and with CNN playing at a low-to-moderate volume in the background, the word "tea bag" kept creeping into my dreams as they reported on protestors protesting. Something. I think. Another word --because CNN was actually reporting on various FOX News personalities and camera crews to cover the events throughout the country -- "conservative commentators" also crept into my mind.

For some odd reason, the translation that was processed in my cerebral cortex was not of a Lipton tea bag, but of my balls. And instead of imagining various conservative commentators such as Sean Hannity or Bill O'Reilly, Ann Coulter appeared. And for some reason, in black lingerie.

When my balls and Ann Coulter met, no conversation of any sort ensued. No hot button gay marriage-type issues to argue over. No condemnation on my end for a communication and marketing method of hyping people up by playing into their weaknesses and ignorances simply to make a buck. None of that.

Simply my balls on Ann Coulter. In my dreams, and this is absolutely true, I tea bagged Ann Coulter.

My apologies to Yellowcard for the song follow-up to an Ann Coulter blog...the setting of this song (and the title) are in my hometown, Jax, FL:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFmdjvR1bYI

Rick Warren: In Hot Water with the Christian Right? Politics vs. Policy

Rick Warren, the pastor who presides over the massive Saddleback Church in Orange County, California, is now taking heat by many who share many of his same view points on social issues. Last week, Warren was on Larry King denying that he ever campaigned and supported Proposition 8, the amendment to ban gay marriage in California. Prior to this week, Warren and President Obama were protested from the left when Warren gave the invocation at Obama's Inauguration.

A good point made by Chris Matthews today...Warren is a pastor, exclusive to some degree to those who follow the same belief system about God. Not rocket science, and hardly controversial is this statement. So why is he so immersed in the political scene?

The answer: Us.

Church vs. State. And the separation, or not, of the two. Religion is something so ingratiated in the fabric of our culture and at the same time, a fine line that his constantly been walked and interpreted by many a political animal.

My argument: Politics is one thing. Policy is another. Politics contains bargaining, negotiating, protesters, people with signs, shenanigans, pursuasive techniques based on ends and not means. Policy is drama-free, a bit unexciting, powerful, meaningful, substantive, and most of all, rational. Policy can be arrived at through the politics of smart and well-intentioned people.

What Do I Mean By This? Marriage is a lawful contract that legally binds two people, allowing for, among other things, the benefit of joint health insurance and tax breaks. Marriage doesn't have to be done at a Church or any other religious institution. The Church is a ceremonial place, bent on tradition and dogma. Fine. I find the same tradition and dogma at the beach. But marriage, the legal contract it is, has just as much to do with a Church as does a beach. Meaning, it doesn't. A separation of Church and State that's already built into our system.

So why is this an issue to literally rewrite the rules to ban gay marriage, or how the Christian Right says, define it as a binding contract between a man and a woman? Politics. Not Policy.

John Mayer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPOBMzMTP4U

No Need To Beat Around The Bush

No, the headline wasn't intended to be a dirty joke for once. Although, sexual innuendos are usually peppered throughout my prose.

The best part to come out of the economic crisis is watching people self-actualize. Screw comfort...take risk. Screw cudgels...be straight up.

I'm a big fan of those people who wear shirts that say, "Hire Me." I hate to admit it, but in some ways, that person deserves a job over me. It takes some balls I suppose to wear that, and at least based on that, he or she wants it more.

I have this problem. I'm apprehensive a lot of times. I like to handle things and deal with people in a nice way. I also don't like to be sure of myself. Because I'm worried that by being so sure of myself, I close off questioning. And questioning can be very valuable.

So there's got to be a middle ground I think. Or at least, times to be sure and times to question. Oh, a time...

Maybe the best answer or at least the most logical one lies in the depths of honesty. How do I feel? And why do I feel it? If I can interpret and understand this, maybe I can make the wisest decision.

The other part to it is balls. And maybe this isn't as rational. Guts. Fortitude. Whatever. It's the ability to not give in to impending embarrassment.

Last week, I did a comedy show where the comedian before went up and trashed a bunch of the other comedians for not listening to each other's set. They stood outside and chatted it up. They left after their own set. This comedian also made sure to have the emcee announce that he was performing at the Improv the following Thursday, as if the 8 people left in the room (including myself) really cared.

Now, did the comedian have a point? Maybe. But why trash everybody in an open mic night that has 25 comedians on the bill in a room that is only comedians. Many had heard each other's sets. Also, no one gets paid for these open mics. People have to pay rent. Point or no point, this guy was harsh.

So, what did I do? Maybe not making the most conscious decision, but not being scared to fight back a little, the first thing I said was, "that guy was kind of a dick." Now, that may have not been the best decision for me. I made a small room feel a little more awkward. I also probably made enemies with this guy. But guess what? The guy was being a dick. It wasn't pretty. But I said my peace. Better than holding back. Next time, I'll be more articulate maybe. I'll address it in a different way. But at least I didn't beat around the bush.

Man Crush on Tiger Woods

Since he won the '97 Masters, I, like many, have been a huge fan of the guy. This Easter weekend, I'm looking forward to being entertained and enthralled when I watch another Masters.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kotQfs6VpXQ&feature=PlayList&p=B0880AE4005D248A&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=13
(Tiger Masters Chip)

For all the press, praise, and adulation he receives by announcers and commentators, his performance continues to outpace the former. In his last outing two weeks ago in Orlando, Tiger showed that the knee was back. Deja vue from '08 came when he sank another long putt on the 18th to win Arnold Palmer's tournament.

How does he do it? Anyone who isn't him can only speculate. Maybe Jordan or Nicklaus or a cardiac surgeon could give us some insight, but my journalistic integrity isn't so high as to perform much research. I do hear Malcolm Gladwell, in his book Outliers, may be able to shine a light on it.

Some things I pick up from being a huge fan, though:

1. Focus

Not just a slogan on a Tiger Gatorade bottle. He has a way of not giving a flip what the large galleries, tv cameras, media, other players are doing. How is he not caught up in the spectacle? Lots of practice. Having been in that moment over and over. Oh, and maybe there's something in his head that doesn't allow him to give in to all the crap because he realizes the second his focus drifts is the second he loses ground. He won't hit the shot he wants to hit. Living in the present.

2. Balance

Not talking about swing technique here. His life seems to be relatively in balance for someone of his fame. A wife, two kids, age 32. Apparently, he's pretty funny. Gotta be pretty smart...Stanford doesn't just accept any great athlete. He only plays so many tournaments a year. Of course, he's in a position to pick and choose, but still his focus is on peaking. That can't happen if you're burning the candle on both ends.

3. Articulation

He's given just about as many interviews as drives hit, but somehow he seems to provide answers that interest. Sometimes it is what he says. And sometimes it is how he says it. There's a personable nature he has. Something that comes from him that sounds frank, sincere, honest, and yet, pretty optimistic. As a result, his answers also exude confidence. Confidence that no matter if the round was a 68 or a 78, the moment is fleeting. Tomorow will come and the questions will be slightly different.

Yes, I do have a man crush on Tiger Woods.

60 minutes interview w/ the late, great Ed Bradley:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kotQfs6VpXQ&feature=PlayList&p=B0880AE4005D248A&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=13

Running and News Converge

I was scanning PBS.com today and found an article on their home page about "environmentally conscious kids." A major point within the article, written by Alan Fortescue -- the Director of Education for the Earthwatch Institute, was how parents educate their children on the environment. The answer: "...one thing does more to foster environmental consciousness than anything else; this is simply the act of getting children outdoors." (to read the whole article: http://www.pbs.org/parents/experts/)

Experiential learning or learning by doing.

Good for PBS, but visit any classroom and I'll bet you'll find a solid percentage of students who are bored from sitting in a classroom. My last year of college I worked at a non-profit organization called Florida Campus Compact. Our job was to serve, enhance and promote service-learning in colleges and universities in Florida. What is service-learning? Basically, its getting a grade based on actually going out in the community and performing service for an organization affiliated with the subject you're learning about.

I'm a solid believer in this type of learning. When you get out of school, there's no road map. No course schedule. No block scheduling. Its all an elective. Inventors and innovators don't sit back and follow every instruction. They get to know the rules and they try to break them to see if they can make the system better.

(Picture of where my first marathon will be in Big Sur, CA)

On a personal level, running has brought me closer to the environment. My love for trails, for the smell of freshly mowed grass, for fields and pines, all comes from my experience running. Some find this same love through cycling, through hiking, through science and discovery. Thus this proves one more point. Health, science and the environment are all related. When we throw money at these things, creating jobs and drawing many more to the outdoors, the economy becomes deeply ingratiated, too.

Admittingly, I stopped reading the whole article as I've written to this point. Before publishing the post, however, I went back one more time to look over the PBS article. Turns out, there's a pretty interesting fact that sort of relates to my prior points.

"A recent study of 300 of the world's most innovative thinkers and leaders showed clear links between childhood immersion in nature and an out-of-the-box creativity and tireless commitment to society."

Matt Costa: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgSHVf_DftU

Just Dick Jokes

Doctors save lives. Judges make decisions that effect whether people spend their lives behind bars or not. Soldiers go to war.

And yet, the #1 major fear in this country is public speaking. All those other jobs I just listed involve life or death decision-making. What is the risk in public speaking? Embarrassment?

I've been doing stand-up now for about 4 years. Since I started, people always say, "Wow! That's awesome. I couldn't ever do anything like that. I'd be too scared." In a certain respect, I feel proud. Maybe its a compliment I think to myself. But for the same reason I have the "courage" to get up in front of people is the same reason I can almost disregard that comment completely. Moreover, I feel bad sometimes for the person making the comment. Why? Because I'm a complete dick. Ok, maybe not completely.

I feel bad because a) I understand people have talents and b) can only be good at so many things but c) feel that the reason why people say they can't do anything is because they're insecure. It bothers me that people say this. If somebody had a gun to your head to do it you would. Its not about comedy. Its not about public speaking. Its about the idea of an individual holding back on something that rationally makes sense because their ego is so goddamn fragile.

When it comes to public speaking, as a tip you often hear, "picture the audience in their underwear." Or if you're constantly horny, "picture the audience naked." I'm the latter. But in the words of Apple CEO Steve Jobs, we're already naked.

Again, it goes back to not being scared to fail. The point is that we already have nothing to lose. We're all going to die. Some of us sudden and without warning. Not trying to be dramatic, but its true.

So Man or Woman Up. I'm committing to 4 days per week of performance. Because for all my words, I still fight that fear of failure even after performing for 4 years. But I need to get over myself. So I am.

OK Go: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pv5zWaTEVkI (awesome video)

ps- I'm trying to spice up the blog w/ some pictures. Why not throw Clay in there? And no, that's me when my hair gets long.

A Short Entry

If you're reading today, I appreciate it.

Its Saturday, and in So Cal its 100% sunny. I've been out and about so not much time to write but wanted to drop in. Tomorrow, I think I want to write about this debate over gun control. It seems to come up often when terrible events like the recent shootings we've seen arise. Unfortunately, these debates seem to be ripples in a current that contains much more. Hopefully, I can arrive at something a little deeper. I'll certainly attempt to.

For today and tonight (on the east coast) and if you read this Sunday morning, hope all is well where you're at. Hope you're enjoying the weekend. Just remember that enjoying life doesn't end on Monday morning. That's my philosophy.

Going to, as the very white men at the country club say, "induldge myself with an adult beverage." Damn, they're white.

White Boy Music or Punk Rock for Sissies: Ben Folds http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKcuHaZlFiY&feature=related

A Friday Without Worries

Running is fun. News is important.

Today, on this Friday, not a cloud floats in the sky. If there is one, its soft and delicate. Calming like the soft wind that blows these trees outside my window as I write this.

Sometimes I feel like I've always worried myself, even stressed myself. Then, it was school. Maybe girls. Some stand-up performance I was doing. But somehow I've always made it through. My life hasn't burned to the ground. I owe good family and friends for a lot of that. I also myself for that. And now, as I reflect on a Friday where I can't help but smile, I won't stress. In fact, I find it difficult to stress.

My current circumstances aren't the worst, but probably not the best. As a freelancer, I struggle to pay bills and sometimes feel guilty for choosing to be a freelancer (why don't I just wait tables? oh wait, I did that, and got laid off). I worry about family. I stress about accepting and conforming to the rigors of living the life of a comic. I wonder where I'm going with life. I live in a house with quite possibly the laziest person in the world -- beavis meets butthead meets various half-baked character meets "Super High Me" character (this guy's favorite movie) meets the dude. As a result, the house is constantly a mess. Even when its somewhat clean, he has a way of shitting it up. To try to maintain a bit of credibility, I'll stop myself now. Including the disclosure about the various puppies filling up the back yard due to the roommate's inability to spay his dog. Ok, so I'm ranting.

I'm going to stop. In May, I'll be out of this place. Plus, hell, I live in LA. I live by the beach. I have my own dog that's cute as hell. The pups are cute, too. I'm working hard to build my business. I'm taking chances. When there's a crowd, and I'm not drunk, the people tend to laugh.

Bills will still be there. Crazy people, too. Maybe, I'm crazy and don't realize it. Probably.

But I'm going to stop now.

Because today I ran a couple hard mile loops and now my legs feel a bit heavy, but relaxed. It was as sunny as it ever could have been. Good music on the ride back. McD's had Fish Filet Fridays. The level of Mercury in my body has now reached a "too close for comfort level" but I don't care.

It's Friday, baby. If you haven't gotten out of the house, do it. Milk the sun. Milk the weekend for all its worth. Get excited! Smile. The act of smiling actually forces you to be in a better mood. Seriously, I read that from some credible source, I think.

To wrap this up, I've got two songs. I think they speak to what I'm feeling much more than my stream of conscience that's being blurted on this page. Take a listen and happy Friday!

(my suggestion: watch w/o the video)

Third Eye Blind: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXRLEyIoJZA

Snow Patrol: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfZUxPF7AMI

Obama Bigger Than God, Queen Gets Ipod, Sarkozy Still More Fiesty Than a 1 Yr Old Chiuaua

All of which are extremely accurate headlines from the ongoing G20 Summit in London, England. If you're not familiar, the G20 is an economic summit between the 20 wealthiest countries in the world where they discuss the intricacies of frolfing, the 20 finest places to go windsurfing, and sweater vests, all the while touching on the global shit storm that is the economy.

Its easy to criticize, pawn off blame on the leaders of these countries, on the respective elected officials, on global corporations and greedy Wall Street people. However, its not completely accurate. We all have blood on our hands. After all, we are the ones who vote, both in the ballot box and with our pockets.

The reality is that we need these leaders more than ever. We don't need everyone to agree on everything. We need dissent. We need argument. But we need results. We need our leaders to eventually reach agreements that move us forward (and sort of fast).

One interesting fact a friend of mine pointed out. It was reported the other day that roughly 87% of the world's wealth sits in the hands of these 20 countries. Mind you, according to my stout research (about.com) there are 195 counties in the world. In a microcosmic way, this is reflected within individual countries when accurately assessing the disparity between rich and poor. In a capitalistic country, the wealth of a nation is in many ways reflective of the size of its middle class.

And just before you jump ahead of me Ayn Rand fans, I'm not preaching socialism. What I am saying is that there is a fine line between capitalism and Darwinism. Google, Microsoft, and Dell are not finite natural resources (in case you live in the greater LA area and have to quickly navigate across the God-Forsaken town). The bubble can get larger, grow bigger. As South Park accurately pointed out recently, the economy is an idea, not a supernatural God. Wealth can grow because money is arbitrary. On a similar note, putting a dollar sign on a job doesn't denote its total value. A teacher and a nurse are not subservient to a CEO.

So what's the conclusion of this blog? Work together and pull together. Support each other. "The whole is more than the sum of its parts," says Aristotle. And hope the leaders of the G20 do the same. And one day there will be a G25 Conference consisting of countries with 87% of the world's wealth.

Quick update: England's PM Gordon Brown proposes $1 trillion bailout for the world!
http://www.cnn.com/video/flashLive/live.html?stream=stream1

On a lighter note, I've composed a G20 March Madness Bracket based on who would win in a wealth-off. Stay tuned to my next post to see who advanced to the Elitest 10:

2 China
19 Argentina (Boise, ID)

7 Italy
14 Netherlands (Boise, ID)

4 Japan
17 Turkey (Miami, FL)

6 India
15 Korea (Miami, FL)

1United States
20 Indonesia (Raleigh, NC)

5 France
16 South Africa (Raleigh, NC)

3 Great Britain
18 Mexico (Atlanta, GA)

8 Canada
13 Saudi Arabia (Atlanta, GA)

9 Germany
12 Spain (Cincinnati, OH)

10 Russia
11 Brazil (Cincinnati, OH)

Beatles: Come Together http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJqNxKdgyqM

Back Home

I've been away from the blog for a week now because of a trip back home. I went back to Jacksonville for a wedding of two good friends, both of whom I've known since early elementary school.

It was a fantastic event, held in a beautiful church with many family and friends present.

Weddings are those type of events. Benchmarks in our lives. Not just for those getting married but for those who attend. For me, this was my first wedding ever. I was a groomsman which came with a small amount of responsibility and a large amount of free boos. Honored to be a part of it.

This time around, going back home was a calming experience for me. I think it had to do with the fact I was able to catch up with old friends I hadn't talked to in a while. One of my friends, Dave, was also a groomsman. We hadn't really hung out too often since high school, 6 years ago. Somehow, it was like nothing had changed. In fact, it was probably more fun...we could legally drink this time. The groom, Jason, was in his prime as well. And our closest friend, Natural Light, was a rock through it all.

Going back home was also a calming experience because, for the first time, I noticed a pretty homogenous high school and even college group branching off into individual pathways. Watching people take chances, deciding to settle down with a partner, working in ad sales, making lots of money, all this was happening all around me with my friends and sinking in for the first time. In a much more personal way than facebook could ever attest to.

It was most calming because I was truly starting to feel ownership over the decisions I had made and the acceptance and approbation of the decisions others were. When you grow up in a bubble like I did, things get competitive. Sometimes that can be good, but sometimes it gets unhealthy. Even without acknowledgement of it, there's a vacuum in the air that sucks people into the lives of others. We then play on the level of others, worrying about keeping up with the guy next door on the girl in your same graduating class. I've constantly fought this on my own.

Life decisions, the paths that people choose, have no right or wrong. Life is. And its very interesting to stand back and watch sometimes.

Congratulations Jason and Kristen!

Now, I'm off to protest the G20 Summit in England. My cause? I'm pro recycling condoms.

Best college commerical?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsid-Y13Pf8&feature=related

or

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVENWl8uBeg