Currently: He Ain't the One - Stevie Hoang (All Night Long)
I'm still weary. So fucking weary.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Max // Neutrality
Currently: Hello Seattle - Owl City (Of June)
Dante once said that "the hottest places in hell are reserved for those who in times of great moral crises maintain their neutrality."
Dante once said that "the hottest places in hell are reserved for those who in times of great moral crises maintain their neutrality."
Monday, November 16, 2009
Max // Navy
Currently: The Riddle - Five for Fighting (Two Lights)
It's interesting, this sense of duty, of a need to fulfill some obligation. It came up in conversation today, and it made me think. Of course, if I could go back and redo things, academically, I would.. but hindsight is 20/20, and there's no way for me go travel back in time. I'm not exactly jealous, but I find myself yearning to do the same as a certain like-minded compatriot of mine has done. It could've been me, if only I'd realized earlier. I wish him the best, but it's bittersweet in a sense, because I know that I could've been in the same position, if only I'd applied myself more. But in the end, it's okay, because in either two or four years, I will be in practically the same position, albeit in a different branch (most likely). There's a lot of pride there, for him as well as for this country. Despite the propaganda of the fundamentalist right, being a liberal and being a patriot aren't mutually exclusive, which makes things much simpler for me, as I consider myself both of those things. I can't speak for my future self, but I feel like this is something that's definitely on the horizon for me, and it gives me a sense of security and reassurance, though I'm not quite sure why. I'd like to think that, even if it weren't for the monetary issue (because it's not really about the money), I would still hopefully make the same decision, simply because of said feelings of duty and obligation, pride, a need for discipline in my life, as well as the fact that it's something of a family tradition, albeit it did skip a generation. My paternal grandfather served in three wars, as a gunner on bombers, and later as a chaplain. It's interesting, how two defining characteristics of his life have skipped my father and, in many ways, live on through me: religion and military. It makes me proud, in some odd way, for that to have happened. It seems like it's always been this way, because I can remember as a kid being interested not only in planes and tanks and ships and guns, but tactics and strategy, and the history of wars and the development of weapons and armor through the ages. I read books on the subjects voraciously, even as a young child, and I distinctly remember spending hours in front of my computer, transfixed by the genius that was Age of Empires II. I suppose, in many ways, military-related stuff is something that I'm passionate about. Yes, it seems odd and in many ways ostracizing, especially given the liberal climate in which I've grown up, but that only seems to steel my will and determination, perhaps there's an aspect of wishing to break with my family on this, as I don't think they'd be exactly chuffed. The bottom line, however, is that I do strongly believe in the virtues that this nation of ours was founded upon, and believe that they are worth fighting for. When it comes down to it, I can only give my time and abilities, and if need be, my life. Thinking on all this has given me a new sense of respect for the men and women who are currently serving, as it cannot be an easy decision. I only hope and pray that I will have the courage in the future to make the same decision, because the fact of the matter is, I'm proud to call myself an American, proud of this country of ours. Yes, America isn't perfect, isn't a shining city on a hill, but we spent too much of the time focused on all of the negative things our country has done in the past, and overlook the good things we've accomplished in the name of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
It's interesting, this sense of duty, of a need to fulfill some obligation. It came up in conversation today, and it made me think. Of course, if I could go back and redo things, academically, I would.. but hindsight is 20/20, and there's no way for me go travel back in time. I'm not exactly jealous, but I find myself yearning to do the same as a certain like-minded compatriot of mine has done. It could've been me, if only I'd realized earlier. I wish him the best, but it's bittersweet in a sense, because I know that I could've been in the same position, if only I'd applied myself more. But in the end, it's okay, because in either two or four years, I will be in practically the same position, albeit in a different branch (most likely). There's a lot of pride there, for him as well as for this country. Despite the propaganda of the fundamentalist right, being a liberal and being a patriot aren't mutually exclusive, which makes things much simpler for me, as I consider myself both of those things. I can't speak for my future self, but I feel like this is something that's definitely on the horizon for me, and it gives me a sense of security and reassurance, though I'm not quite sure why. I'd like to think that, even if it weren't for the monetary issue (because it's not really about the money), I would still hopefully make the same decision, simply because of said feelings of duty and obligation, pride, a need for discipline in my life, as well as the fact that it's something of a family tradition, albeit it did skip a generation. My paternal grandfather served in three wars, as a gunner on bombers, and later as a chaplain. It's interesting, how two defining characteristics of his life have skipped my father and, in many ways, live on through me: religion and military. It makes me proud, in some odd way, for that to have happened. It seems like it's always been this way, because I can remember as a kid being interested not only in planes and tanks and ships and guns, but tactics and strategy, and the history of wars and the development of weapons and armor through the ages. I read books on the subjects voraciously, even as a young child, and I distinctly remember spending hours in front of my computer, transfixed by the genius that was Age of Empires II. I suppose, in many ways, military-related stuff is something that I'm passionate about. Yes, it seems odd and in many ways ostracizing, especially given the liberal climate in which I've grown up, but that only seems to steel my will and determination, perhaps there's an aspect of wishing to break with my family on this, as I don't think they'd be exactly chuffed. The bottom line, however, is that I do strongly believe in the virtues that this nation of ours was founded upon, and believe that they are worth fighting for. When it comes down to it, I can only give my time and abilities, and if need be, my life. Thinking on all this has given me a new sense of respect for the men and women who are currently serving, as it cannot be an easy decision. I only hope and pray that I will have the courage in the future to make the same decision, because the fact of the matter is, I'm proud to call myself an American, proud of this country of ours. Yes, America isn't perfect, isn't a shining city on a hill, but we spent too much of the time focused on all of the negative things our country has done in the past, and overlook the good things we've accomplished in the name of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Max // Nowadays
Currently: Knock Knock - Lenka (Lenka)
While being single has it's perks, I do honestly miss being in a relationship sometimes. Most of the time, it's not really an issue, as relationships can be full of drama, can be a royal pain in the ass, and can be something of a sinkhole in terms of money; but there are times when I just miss that sense of togetherness. It's as if there's a strange vacuum left inside, one that cannot be filled except with the prospect of loving someone and being loved in return. People always say that God is all that we need to subsist, and while that may be correct in the theological sense, I don't think I could ever be a monk. Celibacy, no thanks. And don't take that the wrong way: there is much more to romance and relationships than sex, obviously. I mean, it's undeniably a component, albeit one that isn't critical in this stage of my life.
Maybe I'm just being silly and nostalgic and sentimental, but there are times when I long for the comfort that's to be found in a good love.
While being single has it's perks, I do honestly miss being in a relationship sometimes. Most of the time, it's not really an issue, as relationships can be full of drama, can be a royal pain in the ass, and can be something of a sinkhole in terms of money; but there are times when I just miss that sense of togetherness. It's as if there's a strange vacuum left inside, one that cannot be filled except with the prospect of loving someone and being loved in return. People always say that God is all that we need to subsist, and while that may be correct in the theological sense, I don't think I could ever be a monk. Celibacy, no thanks. And don't take that the wrong way: there is much more to romance and relationships than sex, obviously. I mean, it's undeniably a component, albeit one that isn't critical in this stage of my life.
Maybe I'm just being silly and nostalgic and sentimental, but there are times when I long for the comfort that's to be found in a good love.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Max // Necessary
Currently: Drift Away - Uncle Kracker (No Stranger to Shame)
Georgetown! NAIMUN, to be more specific, but who cares. I'm juiced. $900 is a lot of money though, but hey, who cares. I want to travel, to remind myself that there are places outside of this stupid little town. I want to get on a plane. I want to get out of here, away from here, however temporarily. This small town does have a few positive things about it: namely, that it's where a few people who I truly care about and love live. On the other hand, it's so damn stifling. I could never live here, simply because I'd never grow, I'd never get anywhere. It's long past time to get out of here, to move on and move out. Just a few months left, just a few more months of all of this shit. Then I'm gone, no looking back.
Georgetown! NAIMUN, to be more specific, but who cares. I'm juiced. $900 is a lot of money though, but hey, who cares. I want to travel, to remind myself that there are places outside of this stupid little town. I want to get on a plane. I want to get out of here, away from here, however temporarily. This small town does have a few positive things about it: namely, that it's where a few people who I truly care about and love live. On the other hand, it's so damn stifling. I could never live here, simply because I'd never grow, I'd never get anywhere. It's long past time to get out of here, to move on and move out. Just a few months left, just a few more months of all of this shit. Then I'm gone, no looking back.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Max // News
Currently: Booming Right At You - Junkie XL (Booming Back At You)
The delegate from the United Kingdom would like to acknowledge that it has received the following:
From:
Registrar
Mr. Philippe Couvreur
International Court of Justice Peace Palace
Carnegieplein 2
2517 KJ The Hague
Netherlands
Telephone: 31 (0) 70 302 23 23
Fax: 31 (0) 70 364 99 28
To:
Diplomat Chen of the United Kingdom
Council of NATO
Building 200-107
400 Serra Mall
Stanford, California 94309
United States of America
Dear Mr. Chen;
Pursuant to the events of November 7, 2009, you are hereby ordered to appear before the International Court on November 8, 2009, to answer the following criminal charges:
Sincerely,
The International Court of Justice
In addition, the delegate from the United Kingdom would like to express strong support for the adoption of the following resolution [as proposed by delegate Yang of South Korea (Six Party Talks)]:
Resolution 6.9
Preambuatory clauses:
1. Recognizing the need for international justice on a global scale.
2. Seeking to assess, combat, and effectively neutralize a modern era of terrorism, known as "brofanity."
Operative clauses:
1. Urges the immediate implementation of the United Nations Jim Bro Laws (UNJBL).
2. Encourages the eventual replacement of atomic element #35 "bromine" with a neutral name of "bomine."
3. Addresses the need for severe humanitarian aid on behalf of bro-rape victims.
a. Creates separate medical facilities in accordance with the UNJBL to provide aid.
b. Calls upon NGBROs (Non Government Bro Related Organizations) to mediate and deliver required aid to victims.
c. Further calls for the rapid research and development for specially engineered broteins and other dietary supplements.
4. Adopts the International Non-Broliferation Treaty (INBT) to address the rapidly developing epidemic of "broliferation."
The delegate from the United Kingdom would like to acknowledge that it has received the following:
From:
Registrar
Mr. Philippe Couvreur
International Court of Justice Peace Palace
Carnegieplein 2
2517 KJ The Hague
Netherlands
Telephone: 31 (0) 70 302 23 23
Fax: 31 (0) 70 364 99 28
To:
Diplomat Chen of the United Kingdom
Council of NATO
Building 200-107
400 Serra Mall
Stanford, California 94309
United States of America
Dear Mr. Chen;
Pursuant to the events of November 7, 2009, you are hereby ordered to appear before the International Court on November 8, 2009, to answer the following criminal charges:
- One count conspiracy to commit homicide
- Two counts negligent homicide of Diplomat Cheng of the Czech Republic and Diplomat Nielsen of Slovakia
- One count violation of the Biological Weapons Convention and the Chemical Weapons Convention through use of bacillus anthracis (anthrax)
- One count violation of the Geneva Convention
- One count criminal malfeasance in office
Sincerely,
The International Court of Justice
In addition, the delegate from the United Kingdom would like to express strong support for the adoption of the following resolution [as proposed by delegate Yang of South Korea (Six Party Talks)]:
Resolution 6.9
Preambuatory clauses:
1. Recognizing the need for international justice on a global scale.
2. Seeking to assess, combat, and effectively neutralize a modern era of terrorism, known as "brofanity."
Operative clauses:
1. Urges the immediate implementation of the United Nations Jim Bro Laws (UNJBL).
2. Encourages the eventual replacement of atomic element #35 "bromine" with a neutral name of "bomine."
3. Addresses the need for severe humanitarian aid on behalf of bro-rape victims.
a. Creates separate medical facilities in accordance with the UNJBL to provide aid.
b. Calls upon NGBROs (Non Government Bro Related Organizations) to mediate and deliver required aid to victims.
c. Further calls for the rapid research and development for specially engineered broteins and other dietary supplements.
4. Adopts the International Non-Broliferation Treaty (INBT) to address the rapidly developing epidemic of "broliferation."
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Max // Needs
Currently: You Belong With Me - Taylor Swift (Fearless)
I admit, I like that song. It's catchy. One of those guilty pleasure things.
As no stranger to death and the numbing effect it has upon the soul and the psyche, I can only hope and pray that I can be of some assistance to those that I know who are mourning the recently deceased. I didn't know him, so I shan't claim that I'll miss him, but his passing stings in its own strange way. I have great confidence in the healing powers of both time and divine providence, and what little comfort my prayers and goodwill can offer will be willingly given. It's sad, that it often takes a traumatic experience, say, the death of a loved one, to remind us how much we need compassion and love, how much we need each other, to stand together in solidarity and unity. It's in the midst of the pain that we reach out to each other, that we truly shine as humans. It's in the aftermath of death that, often, we're the best people we can be, the people we're meant to be. The now cliched C.S. Lewis quote comes to mind, but I've found that time after time, it rings true. All cliches have a basis in the truth.
I admit, I like that song. It's catchy. One of those guilty pleasure things.
As no stranger to death and the numbing effect it has upon the soul and the psyche, I can only hope and pray that I can be of some assistance to those that I know who are mourning the recently deceased. I didn't know him, so I shan't claim that I'll miss him, but his passing stings in its own strange way. I have great confidence in the healing powers of both time and divine providence, and what little comfort my prayers and goodwill can offer will be willingly given. It's sad, that it often takes a traumatic experience, say, the death of a loved one, to remind us how much we need compassion and love, how much we need each other, to stand together in solidarity and unity. It's in the midst of the pain that we reach out to each other, that we truly shine as humans. It's in the aftermath of death that, often, we're the best people we can be, the people we're meant to be. The now cliched C.S. Lewis quote comes to mind, but I've found that time after time, it rings true. All cliches have a basis in the truth.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
