Race, Ethnicity & Oppression

Disclaimer: I might piss some people off with this one, but I hope what I write is looked at from my point of view just as I would look at it from those of you that might be pissed. For I am not bashing anyone. I am merely asking for a mind opening.

I AM SO FUCKING SICK OF TALKING / HEARING ABOUT RACE & ETHNIC ACCEPTANCE.

Here's my view: you live in America, you're American. What does being American mean? It only means that your passport says "United States of America". That's it. It does not mean that you've lost your Japanese heritage. It does not mean that you should melt together and forget your Peruvian traditions. It does not mean that you need to be on guard because your skin is not European white. But, it also does not mean that you need to throw in my face that your ancestors came from another country and I need to respect that. Last time I checked unless you're Native American (and even then) your ancestors probably did not originate in this country so you do NOT get my respect for being a transplant.

I might have lost some of you already, but I hope you read on. You DO get my respect because you are a human being. You get my respect because I find you fascinating as a person. I give respect because you did something that showed you have a good heart. You get my respect because you are you. That's it. It's so simple. You don't disrespect me, I don't disrespect you. Quite a concept, huh?

Some people might be thinking, "you're just a white boy that has never known prejudice in your life, how would you know how it feels?" Try this on for size. I'm not white. I am actually adopted and have NO CLUE what I am. Nor do I care. Because my race does not define me. I don't walk down the street defining others by their race, either. If you do, you're missing out on a lot of life. All I do know is that my birth parents were "ethnic". That's it. In the time I was born, that probably meant they had darker skin. I tan really easily and look like I have a tan year round. The bottom line is, I could be anything.

As for knowing oppression, not only am I not white, I'm a large man. I can't sit comfortably in public transportation, on planes or even in cars. I am even looked at and double-checked to make sure I don't look threatening and am just a large guy. I don't identify a sexual preference. Yes, I have a boyfriend that I'm in love with. But, I've dated women and been in love. I enjoy sex with both genders and yet, I'm STILL forced into one of two categories. One of which isn't even allowed to be married or have any rights. I have a disability of extremely flat feet. I get horrible knee and ankle pain that I have to deal with daily. I cannot get good health insurance because of preexisting conditions. The list could go on for pages.

My point is this. Stop focusing on the negatives. People are different in so many ways. I understand there is a history of oppression among certain race & ethnic groups. I'm not belittling that. But if you keep talking about the oppression then the oppression will keep happening. Why not talk about the amazing strides this country has made since those more oppressive days. Focus on the negative things that happened or are happening and you'll lose the beauty of life. Instead, show the world that you can rise ABOVE what tries to keep you down. Make yourself an example of a respectable person and you will gain the respect you deserve. I strive everyday to make the world a better place. I don't see race or disability or sexual identity. I see human beings. Each and every beautiful individual. When we start to see the world through those eyes, only then will the acts of oppression end.

A Circular Return

It's been awhile. My life went in so many directions at once that the daily, weekly and monthly thoughts of posting to this blog began to fade away. There were job losses, vacations, relationships and more, but all of them were important to help me grow and learn. Adding up the time it seems forever that I sat down to write. Here I am. I have returned.

What to compose has been churning through my head. How to include the innumerable experiences that shed light into my world is a daunting task. Concluding that a recap of every possible topic is not feasible, I decided to pick up where I left the blog. After I highlight a few things. I call it a re-acquaintance.

• I began a MA program in psychology and will follow it up with a PhD or PsyD, depending on where the energy of the world directs me. 
• As if the graduate school is not enough, I have been very successful in running two websites since I lost both of my jobs back in 2010. These websites bring me joy. It is the joy that is felt when you are touching people's lives. I guess this is the feeling I sought when I decided to go into psychology. 
• The love of my life moved in with me almost a year ago. I proposed in December and received a "yes". 
• My adorable cats are still being adorable. Gratuitous pic to follow.
• I have a nephew that just turned 3 and is the purest form of innocence and terror wrapped into one tiny package. He makes me want kids, but that won't happen for awhile. 
• I am still personal training and running my real estate business. Both of which have been put to the side a bit during school.
• My family is well and my friends are amazing. 

I've always said that life is circular. Aspects ebb and flow like the tides in the ocean. In some form, those aspects will always return. If you wait around and are attentive, something or someone will surface from your past. When it does, remember that I told you this. My blog is part of my circle of life. I hope that you get as much out of it as I do. Who knows, maybe it will contribute to your circle, too.

To Dad, on Father's Day:

You may have thought I didn't see,
Or that I hadn't heard,
Life lessons that you taught to me,
But I got every word.
Perhaps you thought I missed it all,
And that we'd grow apart,
But Dad, I picked up everything,
It's written on my heart.
Without you, Dad, I wouldn't be
The man I am today;
You built a strong foundation
No one can take away. 
I've grown up with your values,
And I'm very glad I did;
So here's to you, dear father, 
From your forever grateful kid.

True Love

I feel sorry for the parts of you that you hate, and I want you to know that there are no parts of you that I hate.

Brilliant

I could not have said it any better.

Perfect Solar Eclipse

The sun is 400x the size of the moon. By sheer coincidence the sun is also 400x farther away from the earth. Because of this, we are the only planet with complete solar eclipses.

Best Interview Ever

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Lowe's Balls of the Week
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog The Daily Show on Facebook

Colbert Report

This is HILARIOUS!

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Colbert Super PAC - The Heroes Respond
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog Video Archive

Searching

A friend of mine recently stated that he is "looking for the love of his life". I looked at him and all that came out of my mouth was, "Really?". I do not believe that looking for something, especially love, is something that turns out to be beneficial. If you continually point your life in the direction of a goal, you may never reach it and be disappointed. 

If you place the goal of being a lover on the top of a hill and say, "I just need to climb that hill to reach my goal." you may reach it and see that something is missing. Then you look to the next hill. When you look inside you will see that you have already found love, inside of you. If you live each day for you, you will see that there is love inside that will sprout from experience with others without you searching.

This is true of anything. If you dream of being a poet, look inside you, you already are a poet, just express yourself and let the poetic nature flow. If you stop looking at the hills and valleys as obstacles keeping you from your dreams, you will see them for the beauty of the journey. This will allow you to see you are all things on the inside and, from there, you must sprout your dreams like seedlings.

Sunflowers

In a world full of sunflowers, you are the one that sticks out above the rest.

Jon Stewart again.

                       

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Glazed and Confused
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog The Daily Show on Facebook

                       

Pluto

- 1/15 of the gravity of Earth so a 150lb man would weight 10lbs.
- The oldest rocks in the solar system since there is no volcanism or plate tectonics.
- It's diameter is 1/2 the width of the United States - 1485 Miles
- Largest moon in proportion to it's own size.
- Orbit is shaped as an egg.
- Orbit 248 years
- Day 6.4 Earth days
- Gases are frozen when it is farthest away from the Sun, but they unfreeze and form a temporary atmosphere when it gets closer to the Sun. Then freeze again and fall back to the surface.

The Missing Piece

Nick, you are the missing piece to the puzzle I call life.

Sadie

Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.4

Awakening

Every morning I read an affirmation from the book "The Book of Awakening: Having the Life You Want by Being Present to the Life You Have".  This morning had a great life lesson:

"...the stage of development we are in is always seen against the imagined landscape of what we are striving for."

"The simple rose, at each moment of its slow blossoming, is as open as it can be. The same is true of our lives. In each stage of our unfolding, we are as stretched as possible. For the human heart is quite slow to blossom, and is only seen as lacking when compared to the imagined lover or father or mother we'd like to become."

"However much we've done at the end of the day is more than enough; it is dream becoming truth."

Don't push yourself past your abilities. No matter what you do, you will be well on your way to becoming the person you want to be.

Did you know?

Did you know that 4 billion years ago Mars probably had an atmosphere, water and the beginnings of life just like Earth?

It appears there was an asteroid a quarter the size of the planet's diameter that hit it! It was this impact that killed off Mars' magnetic field.

This asteroid impact sent a shock wave to the center and stopped the core's process of convection. This halted the magnetic field generation and literally fried the planet from the inside out. Leaving it vulnerable to the Sun's radiation.

Did you know?

Did you know that the Sun is a second generation star? There was a star that lived in this area before our Sun formed. It collapsed in on itself and then our Sun and solar system formed. Could we be a second generation species? Could humanity have formed once already and left? Or worse - perished?

More Pyramid Info!

re-posted from http://ufoconnection2012.blogspot.com/2011/04/egyptian-archeologist-admits-ancient.html
Sunday, April 17, 2011

Egyptian Archeologist Admits Ancient Pyramids Contain UFO Technology

Image via Wikipedia

In a shock statement, head of the Cairo University Archaeology Department, Dr Ala Shaheen has told an audience that there might be truth to the theory that aliens helped the ancient Egyptians build the oldest of pyramids, the Pyramids of Giza. On being further questioned by Mr Marek Novak, a delegate from Poland as to whether the pyramid might still contain alien technology or even a UFO with its structure, Dr Shaheen, was vague and replied “I can not confirm or deny this, but there is something inside the pyramid that is “not of this world”. Delegates to the conference on ancient Egyptian architecture were left shocked, however Dr Shaheen has refused to comment further or elaborate on his UFO and alien related statements.

The Great Pyramid is believed to have been built over a 20 year span. The pyramid is so huge and so perfect that we wouldn’t be able to construct something like this in our days and age that will compare. Each giant Stone ranges from 1 to 20 tons in weight, and the Great Pyramid consisted of well over 100,000 stones. But the Egyptians had no machinery, engines, or construction equipment. So the question still stands, who built the great pyramids?

Theories suggest the Egyptians built these pyramids, but this asks us how Egyptians hauled 20 ton stones and placed them perfectly Hundreds Of Feet high 145.75 m, 481 ft high. Some suggest they built a ramp with stones that went from the ground to the top. The flaw in that theory is that It would take More Rocks to build the ramp than it would to build the Pyramid. When the Pyramid was done, where did these rocks go? So much for that theory.

Another question is How did they move these extremely heavy rocks? Experts that insist Egyptians built the Pyramid suggest, trees were cut down and smoothed off, and were used as giant rollers under these 20 ton rocks. If you would roll a 20 ton rock on 5 trees, The tree would be too worn down and awkward to haul another, so these logs would be replaced every Stone. Due to the fact there are over 100,000 stones that make up the pyramid, you would need an excess of a half million trees. The problem with this theory is the lack of trees in that area. Egypt grows some date trees, that’s about it. And they certainly wouldn’t cut down all their date trees, for dates are one of the main foods in EGYPT! Now the Great Pyramid was the biggest and tallest of all the Pyramids ever built. Since the Egyptians left us an entire detailed written summary of every event in Egypt imaginable, You would think the building of the greatest Pyramid would be discussed. But it Isn’t. The Pyramid was referred to a few times in very early Hieroglyphics. Egyptian writing suggests the Great Pyramid Was Standing Before Egyptians Populated The Land. Ancient hieroglyphics have detailed writings of farming, giving birth, Pharaoh worship, Hunting, Building Structures, etc, BUT the Building Of The Great Pyramid Was Never Mentioned. Hehe makes ya wonder If it took 10,000 workers per month over a 20 year span to build the Pyramid like experts suggest, There wouldn’t be enough people in a 500 mile radius to make this possible at all.

Actually ancient Egyptian writings very often talk of beings from the sky, the sky opening and bright lights coming down to teach them technology and give them wisdom. Many pictures and symbols resemble UFOs and aliens. POSSIBLY aliens built the Great Pyramid. And these solid long lasting construction techniques were adopted by the Egyptians. Ancient Egyptian legends tell of Tep Zepi, or the “first time”. This is described as an age when “sky gods” came down to Earth and raised the land from mud and water. They supposedly flew through the air in flying “boats” and brought laws and wisdom to man through a royal line of Pharaohs. And of course, this was all thrown out the window when Christianity came along. Keep in mind that the Gods were the one and only ‘religion’ that there was. No other conflicting beliefs? Why? Well because it was fact, not faith. The modern church would have you believe that’s it’s just a myth. But you have to ask yourself on the edge of Occam razor, what truly indeed is more likely?

That a very advanced alien race came down and altered our gen pool, like ALL other ancient cultures concur with OR, that a bearded spirit in the sky basically went ZAP, and created us in six days. (And kicked back on the seventh)? of course not.. all that in the bible is just copied and manipulated to suite someone else’s agenda for power.

Nephew

My nephew is so cute!!!

Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.4

A Poem for You

I love the way you call me after work
It is the point of day with the biggest perk.
I love when you climb into bed
and pull the covers up to your head.
You peer at me with those beautiful eyes
and instantly my heart sighs.

I love your eyes, your lips, your nose.
I love every inch from your head to toes.
I love the way you make me smile
with just a glance, every random while.
Our eyes will meet and our lips will linger
as I grab your hand and embrace each finger.

I love when we are out on the town
and no one ever greets us with a frown.
It is obvious that everyone around us knows
and sees the love because it shows.
I am so happy that you are mine,
I promise to love you until the end of time.

I love the way you feel in my arms
I will always keep you safe from harm.