The Walking Dead

Am I the only person who watches AMC's The Walking Dead, but secretly wished that I didn't?

I started watching this series at the end of season 2, at the recommendation of a friend. I watched it on Netflix and then caught up with season 3 through iTunes. Now, I'm officially on the full-strength formula via AMC.

It was a very promising series. It was full of cut-throat, zombie-slashing action that cut straight to the chase. There was never a dull moment. People were dying left-and-right. Then, after I wished they would take refuge in the prison, they did.

In prison, they we remain.

I feel like a prisoner on Sunday nights. Instead of living vicariously through these dystopian do-gooders, I am now forced to face the humdrum possibility that the "end of the world" won't be very exciting after all.

Some Sunday nights I secretly think to myself, "I wish I'd blown up in the CDC building in Atlanta."

Of course, please don't tell my friends. On the other-hand, they may agree with me.

What stops a thief from stealing a car?

I was reading through some of Yahoo!'s usual news filler this morning, and I noticed an article that really made me chuckle out-loud. It would seem that the best security feature any car can have is a garage.

Originally, the article made me click on it because I thought it was going to discuss sophisticated anti-theft options on the vehicles. Instead, it made numerous references to "soccer moms" and the "suburbs," which I found a little less like anti-theft for my vehicle and more about what's chic for the modern-day suburban soccer mom to drive around her babies. (Unfortunately, the Chevy Suburban did make the cut. I suppose it doesn't fit so well in those cookie-cutter houses' garages in the 'burbs!)

Boredom

How do you really know when you're bored? You log on to Yahoo! Messenger. The scary part is that you remember your username and password. Then you realize some of your old "friends" are logged on too!

Awkward.

Let's Shut It Down

Shut 'er down, boys! She's had enough.

I think it's about time for the government to shut down for a while. It's worked so hard for the good of the American people over the last many long years.

The only thing is it is driving down my stocks!

It's 3am and a phone is ringing in the White House...

I am reminded of that famous Hillary Clinton 2008 presidential campaign commercial today. It sounds like there is a phone (probably a lot of them) ringing at the White House as I type this. Who is answering that phone?

The President has scheduled an address from the White House today at 1:15pm. He has also done due diligence by contacting the Senate and House leadership, which is customary before an attack on a foreign nation. I think all of the indicators are there to support the fact that the United States has already carried out some sort of assault against assets inside of Syria.

America is not ready for another war, even if it doesn't involve "boots on the ground." We can barely tread water as things stand today. I am saddened that people are dying in Syria, but it is hardly the responsibility of the United States to do anything about it. The proverbial can of worms will soon spill over and we will be left with a much larger mess to actually clean up in the end!

What Embassies are Closed?

Out of curiosity, I did a search to see which embassies across the Middle East and Africa were closed in light of a "major" insurrection by Al-Qaeda. My search yielded that perhaps there isn't a clear answer. Google couldn't give me a straight answer (I almost fainted), so I decided to go to the one place that should have an available list for the public to purview: the United States Department of State.

On the State Department's website, the individual conducting the press interview about the situation indicated that he didn't have a list in front of him. I guess he didn't think the question would arise. I find this strangely odd, considering I was led to believe that Al-Qaeda was a thing of the past. (Does anyone remember 9/11 and the War on Terror?)

For now, I'm stuck with the line I found on CNN.com: major threats are in the "Middle East, Africa and beyond..."

Should that level of vagueness make me feel safe? I suppose this is another example of the government knows best.

The new chic

It seems the new way to die is in an anonymous hotel room. We have examples like Whitney Houston, and now this guy from Glee.

(I think I must be the only homosexual male in the Northern Hemisphere not to watch that show.)

George Zimmerman acquitted

Florida pariah George Zimmerman was found not guilty by a jury of his peers for the 2nd degree murder of Travyon Martin.

For some reason I am not surprised!

Egypt Coup

What we've learned about the "new" Egypt is that if the people don't like you, the military will step in and fire your ass!

The military informed President Mohamed Morsy, as of 7pm local time, that he was no longer the president of Egypt. Further, they dissolved the nation's parliament and suspended its constitution. According to reports, the military council has formed an interim civil government, until the specifics of the forward process can be hashed out.

I know the pharaohs are spinning in their tombs!

Gay Marriage, DOMA, & SCOTUS

If there will be a landmark opinion of the Supreme Court of the United States regarding same-sex marriage it certainly came when the court struck down key provisions of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). In addition, the Supreme Court vacated the order of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, regarding California's controversial Proposition 8, which now makes it legal to marry in California for same-sex couples.

Perhaps, this Supreme Court make-up works in some fashion. We saw liberal justices partnering with conservative justices, and vice-versa, to render these landmark decisions.

In other news, I heard some people say they were going to move to Canada over this.

Such a comment only shows individual ignorance, considering same-sex marriage is legal in Canada! Good luck with that!

Indivisible with Liberty and Justice for All

I'm going to jump head-first into the National Security Agency (NSA) and Edward Snowden maelstrom.

As I write this post, I have my leather bound copy of the United States Constitution setting next to me on my desk; it comforts me. It is a reminder of what this nation was/is/will become. Humbly, I believe that those individuals who drafted this most remarkable document would be appalled with what our government is currently doing. Our government is keeping tabs on terrorists, and now it is keeping tabs on law-abiding American citizens, because, you know, just because. It's no biggie! Or so they would have us believe.

Since 9/11, we as a nation have given our heart and tears to those people who died during this most unfortunate event. We, too, as a nation have grieved the losses of soldiers in the field of battle in Iraq and Afghanistan. As a result, we as a nation must now give our very soul to the machine that drives us closer and closer to an information controlled society. Isn't that exactly what the terrorists of 9/11 wanted?

Unfortunately, they wanted a country that embraced individual freedom above all else to suddenly become a country controlled by xenophobes, who were willing to take from us our most precious personal liberties: freedom of speech, freedom from unlawful search and seizure, and due process of the law. They didn't believe that by flying those planes into the World Trade Center it would cause the collapse of our government or force a coup within our government. But they understood very well that such an act may scare the American people into accepting restrictions of their liberties in the name of protection and safety. That's what they feared most about us as a nation: the rule of law.

If my government must keep a list of who I call, text, and email, without my expressed consent or legal due process for just cause, then I'm not sure I need that government. That's the bottom line. I do not concede my personal liberties or personal choices to the United States of America. I do not believe it is most capable of deciding how I live my life or with whom I communicate.

I am reminded earnestly of the Gestapo of Nazi Germany and the STASI of East Germany, which both gathered information on its citizens in the name of "just because." If we allow this action to go unchecked the next logical step may be to set up a toll-free number for people to call in and report their neighbors, friends, and relatives for suspicious activities. Then, there will be visits by black cars in the middle of the night. Perhaps, people will go missing for hours, days, or forever.

People say that Edward Snowden is a traitor, but perhaps he is a patriot. We use that word a lot (not as much as we used it after 9/11) to describe people who I would hardly classify as a patriot. Like the Founding Fathers, he has put his personal fortune and very life on the line to expose an injustice within the highest echelons of our national government. I applaud him for his sacrifice. I hope that a Western European country will take him in and protect him from the unconstitutional covert fallout that is certainly heading his way.

Will we has Americans heed his selfless warning?

Signed,

A natural born, tax-paying citizen of the United States of America

P.S. I'm sure this post will be collected, analyzed, and stored by the NSA.

Skin Report (Acne and Keratosis Pilaris)

I spent part of my day at the dermatologist's office. Yes, I like to go there, because for once in my life I can feel positive about something personal. I used Accutane (isotretnoin) for many months to get rid of my prepubescent, pubescent, and adult acne. Although, it is all gone, I still take a smaller dose of the drug as maintenance. It keeps my skin smooth and soft, limits oil production, and increases collagen production.

BUT...As the saying goes, "The Lord giveth and taketh away."

It would seem that a possible side-effect of using the isotretnoin is an exacerbation of an inherited skin trait (thanks Dad), called keratosis pilaris. It was one of those minor things I noticed when I took my shirt off and saw my upper arms. My arms looked as if they had a rash of hard, reddish pustules. From what I can gleen about the skin condition, my skin reproduces skin cells at an accelerated rate (sort of sounds like cancer). Then, the new skin pushes the old skin up, which forms little mounds of dead, unshed skin.

It really wasn't a problem until it started to show up on my forearms. I have noticed in recent weeks (and months) that my forearms are developing the same pustules. The same can be said for other parts of my body, such as my chest, abdomen, and the backs of my thighs. People see my forearms, if I am not wearing a long-sleeved shirt. In short sleeves, it looks like I have a rash on my arms. I've been asked if I have poison ivy. To say the least, it's embarrassing.

Before I go any further, I need to disclose another skin condition that I have, called eczema. During my previous trip to the dermatologist, I had a nasty case of eczema on my left forearm. It was red, scaly and hateful. To ease my discomfort--and increase my sympathy factor--I told people, if they asked, that I was a burn survivor. Yes, it looked that bad! The dermatologist treated that with a combination of triamcinolone acetonide cream, with Cetaphil as a vehicle, Locoid Lipocream, and Clobex. My forearm, as far as the eczema goes looks brand new. No hyperpigmentation or scarring, just fresh, smooth skin.

Today, she thought it was possible that the triamcinolone acetonide (which is a topical steroid) could have caused the keratosis pilaris outbreaks on my forearms. So no more of that for my arms. I am now using a new skin care regimen consisting of a keratolytic emollient, Hylatopic Plus Cream, Uramaxin 45% Cream, and Locoid Lipocream. (As a side note: I found out that Hylatopic is sometimes used to treat the skin of cancer patients undergoing radiation treatment.)

And, yes, I'm still taking isotretnoin, like a boss!

Chatty Car

I suppose some people may think it is good for your car to tell you its problems. I agree...sort of.

It's fine to let me know that a problem may exist, but it doesn't have to tell me every time I tap the brake, or even start the ignition.

I have a Mercedes ML350. It likes to tell me that it needs the rear lights fixed, it needs the brakes fixed, and it wants me to check its oil level.

Okay?

Those are all things I'll get around to eventually (I hope). But, for example, each time you touch the brakes an annoying beep sound goes off and a reminder message goes up on the dashboard screen about the brakes! It doesn't matter if it has told me that 40 times in the last ten minutes; it's going to do it!

Come on! What happened to cars that just threw up a vague symbol on the dash and left you guessing?

Adderall at Betty Ford

I think the very definition of an addiction is a psychological and/or physiological inability to function without a chemical (i.e., drug).

So, if I cannot go to rehab for 90-days without my Adderall (amphetamine salts), then that may point to a larger problem. I sometimes suffer from attention deficit disorder, but that is hardly a reason for me to start taking Adderall.

With that said, there may come a day when I am sent to rehab for a few of my addictions, but I doubt that I can find a facility to accommodate my other addictions, while I'm attempting to kick-the-bucket on another one!

I wonder how my Betty Ford conversation would go?

"Hi. Yes, I'm calling about one of your dependency programs. I have a problem with alcohol. But here's the thing: If I can't double my dose of Xanax to get off of alcohol, then I can't use your facility's program. Oh, really? So, you're saying I can't take Xanax while in rehab. Hmm? That's strange, because it looks like to me you could use one drug problem to help you with another drug problem. Good-bye!"

Bottom line: Unless I can drink alcohol while I'm weaning off of my Xanax, or vice-versa, then I'm not going to rehab.

Sorry. Case closed.

North Korea

We've all heard a lot about this xenophobic little country that sits on the other side of the world. Its neighbor to the south has been threatened, along with the United States, with harsh militaristic tactics.

The threat of "nuclear" war is imminent, according to the propaganda machine of North Korea.

Kim Jong Un, the untested boy, who inherited his power from his father and grandfather, is trying to fill some really big (er...) shoes by picking a fight with the biggest bully on the block (i.e., the United States).

Here's what I think:

1. The Chinese aren't doing much to calm down the rhetoric spewing from the Korean Peninsula, which makes it harder to swallow for countries like the U.S., South Korea, and Japan.

2. The United States seems to be stirring in the pie, too, by sending in fighter jets to South Korea and beefing up its missile detection network in the Pacific. This only serves to encourage Kim.

3. If the United States is going to "up" the stakes, then it needs to make it a real life exercise. With the blessing--or disinterest of China--the United States needs to take care of business by either withdrawing its beefed up operations in the region; thereby, calling Kim's bluff. Or, simply carpet-bomb the little third world country back to the Chinese border, starting at the DMZ and pushing northward.

This would show them that the "boiled pumpkin" really does have teeth and knows how to use them. I know it is cruel for the innocent people who are stuck between a rock and China, but it really is the only way to give this little country a chance for any kind of new start in the international community.

I'm not advocating an occupation. It is more of a calling card: "Hi, we received your message and dropped by. If you want to see us again, just use our name on the television...or drop a note-in-a-bottle into the sea! See ya, Uncle Sam."

Easter

On this holiest of holy days, I want to reflect on probably something I have probably already said at some other time and/or some where else.

Facebook is a good place to keep in touch with people, but it is also a good place to be reminded of how foolish people can be. I am far from the most religious/spiritual person on the planet, but I don't take take out of my day (irony here) to tell people about it by plastering their Facebook walls with countless posts.

Whereas, Christmas has a since of joviality and the spirit of giving (and, yes, a virgin birth for good measure), Easter is simply a day to celebrate something that to me is quite absurd to me: execution, burial and resurrection.

So what's my point?

Were people executed by crucifixion? Yes.

Were people buried in caves/tombs? Sure.

Did someone come back from the dead after a crucifixion? Nope.

Yes, Easter is more about the eggs and bunny rabbits, for me. After all, Easter was originally a pagan celebration of fertility (duh, it's spring). I'll take my fertile little bunnies and life-giving chickens' eggs over the belief that some Jewish person chose to die for my sins, had to be buried for three days, and then brought back miraculously from the dead for all the world to marvel, even 2,000+ years later!

Pope Francis

During the second day of Conclave, the cardinals elected an Argentine as the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. He is the first pope to be elected from Latin America.

Hugo Chavez Dead

Venezuela's vice president, Nicolas Maduro, has announced the death of the country's president, Hugo Chavez.

Now what will happen to the price of oil?

Benedict XVI Renounces Papacy

I suppose there is some consolation that one person can see that he or she is not fit for the job they have and do the right thing by stepping aside. It would seem that Pope Benedict XVI, Bishop of Rome, the Vicar of Christ, and fisherman of men, will stand down from his position as the head of the world's Roman Catholic Church on February 28.

His successor will be selected by 118 cardinals, or Princes of the Church. Of the 118, Benedict has appointed 67.

What do you call it? Resignation? Abdication?

According to his own words, the Pope is "renouncing" it. He's casting it off. His burden is lifted.

There be kings here!

Who knew that a king's final resting place could be under a parking lot?

It would seem that fate was true for English King Richard III, the last of the Plantagenet family to rule, who died in battle over 500 years ago.

This only proves that in the end we are nothing but bones wedged under someone else's dirt. It's still terribly interesting!