Saturday, February 23, 2008
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Ten straight victories, eleven if you count the out of the country voters. A blow-out in Wisconsin last night...and...now some political pundits suggest Hilary Clinton may have to win as much as 65 percent of the votes in the remaining primaries to get enough delegates to win the Democratic nomination. It certainly looks like Obama now has the upper hand. I won't declare victory at this time but it sure looks like Hilary Clinton's only chance is to complete a couple of "Hail Mary" passes...I haven't said much about the primaries up to this point but I have been following the this particular election year for some time now and decided to support Barack Obama about three weeks ago. I do find this particular election year the most interesting in my lifetime but am cautious because I have become increasingly cynical about politics as I have gotten older. So, why have I decided to jump on the Obama bandwagon? Probably, for some of the similar reasons a lot of other folks have stated. For me, the bottom line is that I think he has the "best chance" of bringing about some long needed changes on the political front. I think he has the best chance because Obama does represent a new "attitude" towards the political process. I am not talking about his message of hope but rather the general demeanor he has modeled during the campaign and the debates. Obama "genuinely", imo, repeatedly appears to acknowledge common ground with his opponents...and...I don't think it is a calculated political ploy on his part but I believe it is just the nature of his personality and worldview....Another bottom line...While Hilary and McCain obviously have a lot more experience than Obama I don't think their experience will be able to handle the gridlock in Washington as well as Obama's ability to work with others...and...I think Obama's oratory prowess will put pressure on congress to make some long needed changes...At this point I do believe Obama has all the momentum and I expect him to be the next president of the United States but whether he is able to bring about the kind of change he talks about will have to wait for the next chapter in the book. And,as much as I like Obama and find his message inspiring and his demeanor refreshing he is just a man and the power of the President is limited by the power of Congress and the will of the people...and...that is why our Presidents don't wear Superman capes or jump over tall buildings now matter how much we want or hope they can....
Monday, February 11, 2008
I just got back from L.A. I drove down today to see the new U-2/HD/3-D concert. It was electrifying and inspiring. Nothing like seeing Bono and the rest of the band up close. I have never attended a live U-2 concert but I can't imagine I could get any closer to the action than I did tonight. At one point Bono and my hand touched, well kind of...Got to love those 3-D glasses. Old fashioned virtual reality...While the concert was the shortest U-2 concert I have seen to date, every song was a winner. No fluff, just pure energy from beginning to end. U-2 has again set the bar so high that all any other band can do at this time is look up and shake their head...in awe... and U-2 has again solidified their stranglehold on being the best live band on the planet. I just wish I could have shared this moment with someone. I couldn't get anyone to go so I went solo. Everything about the performance and the production was great. U-2 is at the top of their game right now and I don't know if they can get any higher...so...I recommend you checking this concert out because this kind of performance is so rare you might not see this kind of band again in your lifetime...I went down at noon to catch the early showing but it was already sold out so I had to occupy myself until the six o'clock showing...so...it was a long day...but a Beautiful Day...Thanks U-2...You never disappoint.
Saturday, February 09, 2008
While I have been quiet lately in regards to posting anything on this particular blog my life has been anything but quiet. I won't bore you with the personal stuff but while I have not posted much here, lately, I have been working on two other blogs I intend to introduce in the weeks or months to come. I guess you could say that blogging is now in my blood. The new blogs will revolve around the "nature of relationships" and some of the influential books I have read...I haven't launched either blog yet because I am going to try a new strategy. I am writing and saving a number of blog entries before I launch the blogs, that way, I won't feel pressured to always write new material. I enjoy blogging but I don't like to feel like I "have" to keep up with blog entries and since I will have four blogs going at the same time I suspect it will be a challenge. I generally try to blog when I have the time and I "feel" like it, but that sometimes leads to no blog entries for weeks at a time which I don't like either...so...I'll see what happens with this new approach...
I have also been spending a significant amount of time experimenting with my new SLR camera. I am reading books, taking a class, and going out to take pictures. At the present time I don't have any pictures to share but when I do I'll probably post them over at my blog, Bilbo's World in Pictures
Regarding politics...I have been following the primaries, particularly the race between Obama and Clinton. I have decided to support Obama but I won't be crushed if he doesn't get the nomination because whoever is the next president is going to inherit some serious problems and I won't be surprised if the next president is booted out after only one term. My biggest fear is that the democrats will win and get blamed for the mess created by the last administration and the Republicans will come back with a vengeance in 2012. I admit this is a pessimistic approach to politics but I do feel strongly that the numerous problems we face as a nation are as serious as any time in recent history since the 1960's...I hope I am wrong by the way...Monday I am headed to L.A. with my two sons to see the new U-2 HD/3-D concert at the IMAX theater. I can't wait...In the meantime, I am heading out to take some pictures and I'll probably post something about the concert when I get back....
I have also been spending a significant amount of time experimenting with my new SLR camera. I am reading books, taking a class, and going out to take pictures. At the present time I don't have any pictures to share but when I do I'll probably post them over at my blog, Bilbo's World in Pictures
Regarding politics...I have been following the primaries, particularly the race between Obama and Clinton. I have decided to support Obama but I won't be crushed if he doesn't get the nomination because whoever is the next president is going to inherit some serious problems and I won't be surprised if the next president is booted out after only one term. My biggest fear is that the democrats will win and get blamed for the mess created by the last administration and the Republicans will come back with a vengeance in 2012. I admit this is a pessimistic approach to politics but I do feel strongly that the numerous problems we face as a nation are as serious as any time in recent history since the 1960's...I hope I am wrong by the way...Monday I am headed to L.A. with my two sons to see the new U-2 HD/3-D concert at the IMAX theater. I can't wait...In the meantime, I am heading out to take some pictures and I'll probably post something about the concert when I get back....
Monday, January 21, 2008
Today is Martin Luther King's birthday and I was reminded how important this day is by fellow blogger Kansas Bob Thanks Bob for reminding me of the significance of King's vision. I don't really have anything to add about King that probably hasn't been said by others so I'll add my tribute by leaving you to ponder some of my favorite quotes by Martin Luther King.
The words of a modern day Prophet......
A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual doom.
A riot is the language of the unheard.
All progress is precarious, and the solution of one problem brings us face to face with another problem.
Almost always, the creative dedicated minority has made the world better.
Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle. And so we must straighten our backs and work for our freedom. A man can't ride you unless your back is bent.
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.
Have we not come to such an impasse in the modern world that we must love our enemies - or else? The chain reaction of evil - hate begetting hate, wars producing more wars - must be broken, or else we shall be plunged into the dark abyss of annihilation.
I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.
It may be true that the law cannot make a man love me, but it can keep him from lynching me, and I think that's pretty important.
Means we use must be as pure as the ends we seek.
Nonviolence means avoiding not only external physical violence but also internal violence of spirit. You not only refuse to shoot a man, but you refuse to hate him.
The first question which the priest and the Levite asked was: "If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?" But... the good Samaritan reversed the question: "If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?"
The question is not whether we will be extremists, but what kind of extremists we will be... The nation and the world are in dire need of creative extremists.
We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.
The words of a modern day Prophet......
A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual doom.
A riot is the language of the unheard.
All progress is precarious, and the solution of one problem brings us face to face with another problem.
Almost always, the creative dedicated minority has made the world better.
Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle. And so we must straighten our backs and work for our freedom. A man can't ride you unless your back is bent.
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.
Have we not come to such an impasse in the modern world that we must love our enemies - or else? The chain reaction of evil - hate begetting hate, wars producing more wars - must be broken, or else we shall be plunged into the dark abyss of annihilation.
I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.
It may be true that the law cannot make a man love me, but it can keep him from lynching me, and I think that's pretty important.
Means we use must be as pure as the ends we seek.
Nonviolence means avoiding not only external physical violence but also internal violence of spirit. You not only refuse to shoot a man, but you refuse to hate him.
The first question which the priest and the Levite asked was: "If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?" But... the good Samaritan reversed the question: "If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?"
The question is not whether we will be extremists, but what kind of extremists we will be... The nation and the world are in dire need of creative extremists.
We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Well, today I took the big plunge and bought me a new SLR camera. Specially, I purchased a Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTI with a telephoto 17-85 IS Image Stabilizer lens. I've been thinking about buying an SLR camera for some time I have a hard time letting go of my cash for something that is essentially a hobby interest of mine...and...I almost couldn't bring myself to buy this camera, "until", I went on line and found the camera for half the price all the local camera shops were asking...and...I got a deluxe carrying case and tri-pod, to boot, for free. Thank God, for the internet....I am also going to take a photography class at a local camera shop to learn how to use the camera. It's not particularly difficult to use an SLR, especially if you operate it on Auto focus but I want to learn about exposure, shutter speeds, and how to use the camera manually...I am really excited about this new purchase and hope to post some pictures on this blog and my photo blog in the weeks and months to come....
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Today I launched a new blog called Bilbo's World in pictures. I am very excited and proud of what I have put together. It is a collection of some of my best photographs that I have taken over the years. Many of these photographs have appeared on this blog from time to time but I have decided to put them together in a one place for others to observe and enjoy. I was inspired by fellow blogger Julie Bogart who launched her own photography bl. og project last year called Julie Unplugged 365...Thanks Julie...I will be adding new pictures on a regular basis. I currently have a rather extensive collection of photographs I intend to post in the days and weeks to come...and...I will adding to my old pictures with new pictures whenever I take a photograph that I consider worthy of my blog. Also, because I am excited and inspired about what I am doing I am also thinking about purchasing a new camera. Right now I am considering either purchasing a Canon Sure Shot SD87V15 with 8.1 pixels or a EOS Digital Rebel XTI SLR. The Rebel model is much more expensive but I feel ready to move up to the big boys because I really do enjoy taking pictures....so...if you are so inclined check out Bilbo's World in Pictures and let me know what you think....
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
At the recommendation of film critic Michael Phillips I watched the movie Once last night. Phillips listed this movie as one of his top ten films of the year and even asserts it is one of the great music movies of all time. I wouldn't go this far but I did really, really, like this film and recommend it for anyone who likes an independent film with some really great music. The story is set in Ireland and is a story about a blue collar Irishman who works for his dad during the day fixing vacuum cleaners while playing music at night on the streets. It is his dream to one day record a couple of songs in an attempt to make a living as a musician. One day he meets a young woman who loves his music and inspires him to follow his dream. And the rest of the story is about the two working together to make his dream come true. The movie has a lot of music but I wouldn't consider it a musical in the traditional sense because all the songs flow with the story line. If you like Irish, folksy, meat and potatoes music I suspect you might like this film. This is the second musical film I have seen this year, the other, Across the Universe. These two films are very different and both are great in their own way but I think I like this film better... and...for whatever it is worth, this film received a 98% approval rating over at Rottentomatoes...and...I really love the soundtrack which I bought yesterday.
I've been working on my bachelor pad today. I went out and bought some decorative pillows for my bed. Left to my own devices I probably wouldn't have gotten such fancy pillows but I know the "Daughters of Eve" like this sort of thing. So, if you are a Daughter of Eve who happens to stumble across this blog entry these pictures are for your eyes only. The guys can check it out too but I suspect they won't be as impressed...Just call it a hobbit hunch.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
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