Did something happen to me?

You change. I change. We all change. In lots of ways. For lots of reasons.

I used to go crazy over anything that Apple made. iPod? Got one. Macbook w/ Intel processors? Got one. iPhone? Got my wife one. I got a tattoo instead.

But the iPad?

I just don't care. I thought I would. But I don't. Tim and I had a long discussion about things it should have for the price. Its still kinda cool. I'm sure lots of people will go buy one. I'm sure they'll love it. But I won't be buying one. Not because I want more tattoos. I mean, I do want more tattoos. And I'll get more. Not because I'm not getting an iPad. But because I like tattoos. A lot. But I won't get an iPad because I don't care about getting an iPad.

Does that mean I've changed?

Maybe.

The Windy City...

Brittany and I just spent the past few days in Chicago with Jordan and Tim. It was incredibly cold, but a lot of fun. We got to visit with Jessie and her boyfriend, Jorge. The Museum of Science and Industry was awesome, as was the Shedd Aquarium. We didn't even talk about going to the top of the Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower), so I wasn't laughed at and tortured by my wife and family. We did, however, eat at a lot of great places, including Frida's, a restaurant owned by Jorge's aunts (again, off the charts good--best guacamole I've ever eaten). We stayed at a boutique place called Hotel Felix (thanks to Priceline). It was what a hotel should be: clean and modern with good amenities and a helpful staff.

I think Brittany and I have decided to forego a big vacation this year. We are still gonna do some weekend trips like this weekend in Chicago. Brit always talks about going to England and Ireland, and I'm sure I'd love to go and complain about food. So we're shooting for the UK in 2011.

Reporters aren't journalists...

Reporters have the easy job. They aren't real journalists. Maybe that's why I found this video compilation of reporters getting pwned so funny.

Favorite moment? As classic as "Grape Stomp" is, I love when the lady hits the reporter with a purse and says: "Put that on the news!"

*Be warned! There are a couple of bad words.


Compilation of Reporters Getting Owned - Watch more Funny Videos

Latest "Letter to the Editor":

Here's my most recent submission to the BG Daily News Op-Ed section. Brittany suggested lots of changes to the original text--which I made. My first draft was much more scathing and sarcastic; it emphasized the necessity of affordable health care for everyone and talked about how we can afford a public option health care plan if we can afford a trillion dollar war. But, to avoid any angry emails, I cut that stuff out and focused more on Mr. Herrin's apparent bigotry. Its nothing life-changing, but I thought I'd post it anyway since they haven't published it.

"I have a question for Mr. Larry R. Herrin. He wrote on Saturday, January 9th: "Maybe those who buy cigarettes, alcohol, tattoos, drugs, movies, music, concerts, new cars and unaffordable homes should first think about supplying their own health care."

My question is this: are you assuming that people who buy cigarettes, alcohol, tattoos, drugs, movies, music, concerts, new cars and unaffordable homes do so instead of saving those funds for health care? In other words, it makes it sound like you’re saying people could afford health care if they’d just stop wasting their money on other things. If you aren't saying that, then I apologize in advance. If you are saying that, then I must inform you of how grossly inaccurate hasty generalizations (like the one I feel like you made) can be.

I know plenty of people who work hard, yet find they have inadequate funds to make doctor visits when they, or their children, are sick. I feel like all people should be able to visit a doctor and get the necessary medications to deal with health concerns. I dare say you'd have a hard time explaining to a six year old that "mommy and daddy can't take you to the doctor because it's not constitutionally mandated." We all deserve to have quality health care available to us.

But in the end, your letter didn't prompt a response from me because of your feelings on the proposed health care reform. Your letter prompted a response from me because I feel like you're judging all under-resourced and poor people as having a standard of morality that doesn't match yours and a lack of knowledge when it comes to efficiently handling their finances. Please don't assume that all people who are under-resourced or poor are in such a financial state because they spend their money on things such as those listed above. Many people can’t afford proper health care simply because it’s too expensive.

I don't support a certain agenda, individual, or group; I do, however, support positive change and the fight against misinformation."

The new look...

So, to be honest, I'm quite fond of the new layout. I like the art. I like the colors. But, then again, you are the reader, so I want your input.

Thoughts on the new design?

(Oh, and I just figured out that this layout is made for a widescreen monitor. If you can't see the giant squid on the far right, then make your window bigger and check him out. I might need to see if I can compress the background art for a normal viewing ratio instead of widescreen format.)

More than a bank holiday...

I hope today you would take the time to acknowledge what Dr. King did with his life. He said some of the most amazing things. Fought (non-violently) for change. Raised his voice for the oppressed. Gave his life for what he believed.

We've come so far, but have so far to go. Racism is still so prevalent.

May we continue to carry on the dream and be the change that is so badly needed in our world.

Bleh...

I haven't blogged. I've admittedly been slacking. However, with my blog layout being all screwed up, its turned me off from even logging into my page.

So I'm going to overhaul the site. It may take a few days. I'll have to delete most everything except my posts. So bear with me. I'll have it fixed and a new look up soon. Promise.

I shouldn't have to apologize...

For anyone who cares: my blog isn't displaying properly. Its not something I did--I didn't take the links and such down. Then too, I checked the code and its all good. So I don't know what's wrong. Must be a Blogspot problem. Brittany tells me my blog layout is boring, so perhaps I'll change it all and hope it starts loading properly again.

On a side note: Verdi is the best place to eat in town. Consistently the best food. Hands down. Its also the most expensive. Go figure.

Matthew Paul Turner is quite a writer.

My wife very rarely reads any blog I recommend. Our interests when it comes to blog reading differ dramatically. So whenever Brittany actually enjoys someone's blog that I read, I know they're either one of two things: 1, an extremely good writer; or 2, an extremely good storyteller (meaning they use things like satire, humor and wit well). So the fact that she reads MPT's blog says a lot to me.

Anyway, he's got some stuff going on as of late. He'll be going to Uganda with World Vision beginning January 17th. Check out what he's up to:

Here's the standard blog link: Jesus Needs New PR

Such is truth:

"We in the church cannot separate our Christianity from the hopelessness of the urban poor. If so, then something about the Gospel has failed us."

-John M. Perkins

Ever since I read this, I can't get it out of my head. Think about it...

(I keep writing things. Then deleting them. I have so much to say. But nothing says it well. So I won't add anything else.)

How did I miss this?

Terry told me about this video from the Daily Show that aired back in August. I don't know how I missed it. Its no secret that neither Jon Stewart nor I are fans of Glenn Beck. In fact, I rather enjoyed Media Matters' new article on naming him the "Misinformer of the Year." But my dislike of Beck isn't unfounded. I can't stand him for lots of reasons, but mainly because I feel like he doesn't really care about anything. Well, I take that back. I think he cares about making money. I think he cares about being a well known TV/radio personality. I think he cares about convincing people to believe what he has to say. I think he cares about doing a good of communicating what his bosses want him to communicate. I think he cares about his ratings. But I don't think he really cares about the issues he talks about so often on his show.

For instance:

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Glenn Beck's Operation
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Health Care Crisis

Glenn Beck is dangerous. Lots of people watch his show. Lots of people listen to what he has to say. Lots of people believe what he has to say. These people are lead to believe that what they are hearing is "fair and balanced" and that they can trust the viewpoints they're being pounded with by these news networks.

Glenn Beck gets people to believe what his bosses tell him to make people believe. That's as deep as his passions run. I don't know Mr Beck. I doubt I'll ever meet him. I don't see us being friends in the near future. He may be a nice guy. But, he might be the devil, too.