Six weeks till the end of the world as I’ve known it

Well, okay, maybe that title is a bit apocalyptic and untrue. I did work for three years after undergrad, so it’s not like I’m leaving the confines of academia for the first time or anything. In fact, because I’m getting done early due to starting the MBA program a year early, I’ve actually only been a full-time law student for two and a half years. Still, for that time, I’ve been consumed on a daily basis with readings on a wide variety of subjects, and need to be ready for daily grilling at the hands of professors, and a constant feeling of “i’m just not keeping up” (in terms of reading), and the since that there were just never enough hours in the day.

Now, the light at the end of the tunnel is becoming more visible.  In 42 days , I will have my MBA and my JD. I’ll be more educated than I ever thought I would be. Now, if I could just figure out this whole “job” thing . . .

A foreshadowing of 2010, or merely a trumped up shadowpuppet show?

Tuesday’s elections around the country were a mixed bag of messages for the two main political powers. The Republicans seemed to have the most to hoop and holler about, taking the gubernatorial races in Virgina and, more surprisingly and impressive, New Jersey. The conservative wing of the party also scored a “victory” of sort, in making sure that the Republican party’s local nominee didn’t win, since they viewed her as noting but a RINO (Republican In Name Only), and unfit to carry out the conservative agenda, as they see it, that should be the overall agenda of the Republican Party.  Of course, it doesn’t matter that the man they nominated to be their “Conservative Party” nominee knew NOTHING about the local issues (as was evidenced in an interview he gave the week before the election  that were pertinent to the congressional district he was trying to represent (and didn’t technically live there); all that mattered is that he hates abortion and gays and Obama, and loves him some Baby Jesus and Tax Cuts. I’m actually very concerned with this type of activity. Word is, that Conservative activists, like Mrs. Palin, and RedState.com blogger Erik Erickson, are possibly going to employ similar tactics against other moderate Republican nominees in the 1010 primaries and elections (ex. Gov. Charlie Crist of FL, who’ll be running against a conservative local state rep for that state’s Senate Seat being vacated by Sen. Martinez)

The bigger question, though, is this – was this TRULY a referendum or signal to the Democrats. Yes, the Congressional race in 23rd most likely had national policy overtones. The gubernatorial races in VA and NJ, however, more likely reflected growing concerns about local issues, especially in New Jersey, where this seemed to be more of a referendum against an very unpopular Gov. Corzine, than a rebellion against Obama and the DNC’s agenda. As well, turn-out for these 2009 elections was amazingly low. There’s no way that they stay this low in 2010. My hunch is that, while there may be some signals that national players should pay attention to, and are definitely going to send some shockwaves throughout the Republican Party internally, I just don’t think you can’t take these as any kind of overarching smoke signals for the 2010 races.

The Maine Gay-Marriage Two-Step

Approximately six-months ago, the elected representatives of the State of Maine passed legislation that allowed gay men and women to marry their significant others. This legislation was then signed into law by Maine’s governor. This was a slight departure in the movement towards more Gay Marriage in the US, where most of the battles have been fought in the courtroom, with gay marriage being approved in most of the other New England states by means of State Supreme Court determinations. These courts have examined their state’s constitutions, and have come to the conclusion that those states may not discriminate in the granting of marriage licenses based on sexuality. In Maine, however, the legislature took the proactive step of legislating that right.

Now, on Tuesday, the people of Maine voted to repeal that law.  The margin of the vote was 53 percent in favor of repealing the law, 47 percent opposed. That means 47 percent of the voters willing to turn out thought it was just peachy that gay men and women could marry. I bring this all up because there was, what I consider, a fairly though provoking piece on The Daily Beast, in which Linda Hirschman raised a fairly interesting question: Why was is this kind of issue on the ballot in the first place?

The thrust of the article is that the Founding Fathers had a fairly significant fear of “the public”. That is, after all, why we were given a Republic, and not a pure, every-voice-speaks Democracy, a la Athens. Founders like James Madison knew that there would be certain issues that the minority, by the very fact of their being a minority, would never get a fair voice in.

The most interesting point she raises is that of Brown v. Board of Education. Let’s say that the Supreme Court continued to reject to hear cases on “seperate-but-equal” education (Now, granted, the Supreme Court already had ruled once on the issue in Plessy v. Ferguson, 163 U.S. 537 (1896)) Still, like gay marriage, that would have left it in the hands of the state’s to decide. Let’s then take that scenario further. Say that the State Court’s also continued to reject hearing such cases. Even more so, sensing that rising tide of the “liberal equality” agenda, lets say that groups had taken to getting “Seperate-but-equal” legislation onto the ballot. I don’t think it’s at all unrealistic to imagine a scenario where the population’s of Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Florida, Mississippi and every other former Confederate state, and even some of the non-confederate states (keeping in mind that Brown did take place in Kansas) voted to put it into their state constitutions that white children and black children were never to be educated in the same buildings. If it was always left to the populations to vote, at what point would the south have ever voted to let black children into white schools?

I know the pushback on this, of course, is that those who oppose gay marriage would say that homosexuality is a sexual choice, whereas race is something that you cannot actively choose to be, or change at a later time. And I’m not necessarily saying that I don’t think the voter of Maine had the right to vote the way they did. I simply wanted to extrapolate the Brown analogy used by Hirschman, and see what other’s opinions are in its regard. So, what do you think?

Thoughts at the closing bell:

• The Yankees have once again bought won a World Series. That’s 27 and counting.  There have been 105 “modern” World Series.  So New York officially has won 26% of all MLB  championships available. You can’t tell me that’s not evil. I will conceded,though, I didn’t hate this Yankees team as much as I’ve hated other teams.
• A few weekends ago, I had the privilege of going white-water rafting on the Ocoee River with my fraternity down in TN. Just like the old days, it was a blast, just hanging out around the first, us old guys catching up with each other, getting a chance to meet the new bloods. Winslett was my ride for most of the weekend, and this gave me the privilege of getting to see Kelly-Bo and Hudson. I also got to attend Chapter on Sunday night, the first time in about four years. It’s really, truly crazy how fast time has gone.
• You can judge me for this, and I don’t care: “Glee” is a good show. If you haven’t watched it before, check it out when it comes back to Wednesday nights on Fox. I’m also pretty interested in seeing how “V” turns out once it starts.

That’s all for now.  One love to you all, holla atcha boy.

One step closer to the edge, and I’m about to break

Editor’s Note – I wrote a brand new blog entry a week ago. Then, as I was going to save it, my computer messed up, and I lost the entry. I was so mad, that I needed to give it a week before I attempted a re-do. Here, now, finally, is my re-do.

I’d like to thank the boys over at Linkin Park for the inspiration for this entry’s title. It’s also a fairly accurate description of how the last month and a half has gone down. On August 24th, law school started back up. I didn’t realize it at the time, but that’s also the day I officially stepped into four month stint of living hell. Let me try to break it down and explain why this is not just me being lovably hyperbolic.

As you know, Holly has already moved to Cincinnati to start residency. In an attempt to try and be with her as quickly as possible, I am cramming into one semester the amount of work that should be spread over two semesters. I am currently taking 18 hours of law credits and 3 hours of MBA credits, for a total of 21 credit hours. This requires that I actually be in class for a total of 16.3 hours a week. Throw in the caveat that it’s actually been 18.3, since one class held Saturday sessions to make up for the fact that it’s ending in November. Now, if that wasn’t enough, I’m also working 20 hours a week at my firm, because by taking 21 hours this semester, I didn’t exactly have a ton of student loan money left to live on for the rest of my time here. Oh, and did I mention studying? They say the rule of thumb is that you should expect to study at least for two hours for every hour spent in class. Let’s say, for the sake of argument, that I’m closer to one and a half hours per hour in class (hey, 3L disease has kicked in, what can I say?). So, that’s 27.45 of studying time required per week.

So what are our totals here, boys and girls. Well, if you consider law school the equivalent to working (and really, if you don’t we may get into a fist fight), then I’m putting in a 66 hour work week. Now, I really try to take at least Sunday’s off, and usually, I end of taking Saturday off for the most part as well. So I’m trying to squeeze those 66 hours into five days, for the most part. 66/5 = 13.2 working hours per work day. Does this explain my lack of posting?

And to answer a big thought in a small answer – yes, it’s hard on me and Hol. Hella hard. Harder than we could have imagined. December is, in fact, almost here, though. Thank God.

Football and the Fall

Now, with all of that said, one major bright spot recently has been the swift return of cool Fall weather.  Honestly, how can you not love the Fall? The weather is brisk during the day, you have a reason to bundle up, and it’s the heart of Football season. So far, it’s been a great one for that, as well. Michigan has returned as a program (though they suffered a heartbreaker to the Spartans this past weekend), and Bama is looking like a trip to the championships is not out of reason again this season. The Lions won a game!  And hey, baseball season’s not even over yet (though it may be after today – Tigers v. Twins in a one-game playoff, today at 5:07 p.m. EST on TBS).  Seriously, I love the Fall. Glad to have it back.

Politics as unusual?

Frankly, way too much has happened in the political spectrum over the last month and a half for me to really go into detail about anything in particular. I will, say, however, that every new thing makes me want to pull my hair out a little more. I’ve always thought I wanted to eventually try and become an elected official. I’m really not so sure about that anymore. My problem is that I like to look at all sides of an argument – that apparently has no place in modern politics. In modern politics, you apparently have to close your eyes to anyone’s view points and/or facts that don’t line up with those of your party.  You apparently have to be excited that America won’t get to host the Olympics, simply because it would have been a good PR boost for the President, who is on the other side of the spectrum from you.

Talking Points at the Closing Bell:

• I got to see Zombieland last week, thanks to a friend who had free premiere tickets. It was clever, original, and hilarious. If you even slightly like zombie movies, you need to see it. More so, however, if you love action-comedy movies, you need to see it. It’s def. more of an action-comedy, that happens to have zombies.
• Unemployment is up to 9.8%. Did I mention how EXCITED I am that I’m entering the job market in a few months??????
• October has been the month of weekend activities! This past weekend, we went to Holly’s 10-year High School reunion. We actually had a blast. Then this weekend, I’m going to my family reunion on my Mom’s side. Next weekend, I’m gonna go hunting down at my in-law’s place. The weekend after that is the Ocoee Brotherhood Rafting trip with the AKL’s down in TN.
• September, I couldn’t be any more glad that you’re gone.
• Mackenzie Phillips – I mean . . . really, what can you say? Besides Eeck.

That’s all for now (and probably for awhile), kids. One love. Holla.

Einstein, Body Fat, and “Old Fashioned”s

Honestly, I didn’t know if it would ever happen. Since the day I first received Einstein: His Life and Universe for Christmas, 2007, I have not known if I would ever actually finish it. The page count is around 550 of actual chapters, and even that number really underplay the mass amount of words and information crammed into it. Of course, being given the book right in the heart of my Law School endeavours really put a crimp on my abilities to finish this massive tome.

Now, though, I can officially say that I’ve put this monster to bed. As of yesterday, I am completley done reading Einstein. What did I think, you ask, after this long, endurance-testing journey? I am completely and utterly amazed by the man. Put aside his mind-blowing brilliance. It was his love of people, individually and as a collective, that was his most fascinating trait. Here was a man who was a pacifist, arguing for total demilitarization of the world until the rise of the Nazi’s convinced him that there might be a place for a “supranational” defense force. He argued for a reigning in of Nationalistic tendencies, and really advocated for a peace-ensuring one-world style of government. He was the ultimate humanitarian. He also loved so much of what American stood for. He loved our protection of free-speech, of free-though and free-association. Simply brilliant. His thoughts on God and politics will resonate in my mind for quite some time.

Under Construction: PD Physique

This past Tuesday, I officially signed up at NIFS (National Institute for Fitness and Sport) here in downtown Indianapolis. I signed up for a four-month membership, which will give me access to their plethora of exercises, training, and conditioning equipment, as well as trainers who will help me with all of my goals and health & fitness monitoring. I am expanding my training out past simply running, and will be putting together a complete work-out regime. I’m still pursuing the goal of Boston by 2011, but I need to beef up for my other fitness goals for the year.

Yesterday, I went in and had an evaluation done to see my current BodyFat percentage and weight. NIFS has this amazing piece of equipment called the BodPod, for evaluating Body Fat. Since my last Body Fat measurements were done at the Y, with the less the scientifically accurate “pincher” measuring device, I was mentally prepared for a rude awaking. To my pleasant surprise, I was actually still pretty close to where I want to be. I am currently at 14.4% Body Fat. If you look at this chart, that puts me right outside of the athlete range. I’m currently at 166 lbs. My goal is to be at 8-9% Body Fat by New Year Day. I also want to add a decent amount of muscle to my upper body, to fall more in-line with the training my legs have received for the first eight months of this year.

Hopefully, I’ll be in shape to do an Ironman before I’m 35. Always with the goals, I am.

Why is “Mad Men” so freaking good?

I am almost done with the second season of “Mad Men”. Commentators from all over have already written, in terms more eloquent than I could ever hope to use, just why this show is so good, so I’ll refrain from going on too much about it. Still, the depth of character that each of these cast members gives, even if on screen for only a few short minutes, is nothing short of spectacular. Don Draper may be one of the most fascinating characters to come along in TV in quite a long time.

Of course, I also just enjoy some of the period touches that really make it so intriguing: ridiculously well-made suits for the men, three-martini lunches, whiskey and scotch (Don’s favorite – an Old Fashioned) handed out for no other reason than “I just needed to speak with you for a moment”, an era of masculine confidence in simply being men, etc. ,etc. Simply put, if you’re not watching this show, stop screwing around. This show is more than worth your time on Sunday nights.

Thoughts at the closing bell:

• I’m actually, sadly, getting excited for the Lions season. Nowhere to go but up, right? Still, its football, and the start of football season and Fall could not be anymore welcome. I’ll write more on these two things in a future post.
•  With that said, classes start back Monday. 21 total hours (three MBA, eighteen Law). Shoot me now, shoot me now, shoot me now, shoot me now, and shoot me now. Please.
• The next book on this list is A People’s History of the United States. I swear, I’m still a Republican. Don’t judge me by my leftist, bleeding-heart reading materials.
• Not to give it short service after my raving about “Mad Men”, I am also almost through season two of “The Wire”. This is another great show, and I’ve really enjoyed following the story and watching it’s depth and intrigue evolve. After years of nothing but “Law & Order” (not that’s there’s anything wrong with that) and comedies like “30 Rock” and “The Office”, it’s been nice to engage with some dramas that have some real weight and message to them.

One love to you all. Holla.

LOUD NOISES!! I DON’T KNOW WHAT WE’RE YELLING ABOUT?!?!?!?

Thanks to Brick for the inspiration for today’s title. I felt it particularly pertinent, considering the recent evolution of the health care debate from one of somewhat civil discourse, into one of shouting matches and intense anger. Here is just one of the most recent examples of what I’m talking about. People, mostly what is known as the “extreme” right-wing of the Conservative movement, has put out the apbon any and all town-hall style meetings held by Senators and Congressmen as chances to show the government that they are slightly unhappy with the prospect of a government health-care plan, a public option, socialized medicine of any type, or as some would argue, “the advent of a modern day Communist regime within the formerly democratic U.S.A.”

It all just really makes my head want to explode. When I hear people jump to extremist statements, such as the one lady at the Specter meeting who stated, “I don’t believe this is just healthcare. This is about the systematic dismantling of this country. … I don’t want this country turning into Russia, turning into a socialized country. What are you going to do to restore this country back to what our founders created, according to the Constitution?”, I want to just throw my hands up in the air and say, “I’m out.” Why does this frustrate me so much? Because you can’t have a rationale debate or discussion with someone when they’ve already jumped to the edge. You can’t find a middle ground, or a compromise, when someone has already staked out the position that any ground ceded it ground given over to a new-age Stalin.

Do I believe the government run health-care is the best way to solve our health-care crisis? No, no I don’t. First off, though, we need to accept that we already have socialized aspects of medicine in the form of Medicare, Medicaid, and even the Bush endorsed prescription drug plan. All of these are socialized forms of medicine. Why is this ok to say? Because Socialized, and Socialism, is not Communism. But apparently, it’s fun to equate the two. Why have an honest debate, when you can just draw a picture of the hammer and sickle going through the O in President Obama’s name? That makes your point well enough, I suppose.

I don’t really know what’s going to happen with socialized medicine. I don’t want out country to turn into France, where the cost of socialization in so many arenas of society often causes paralysis and an inability to grow or change along with the economic needs of a globalized economy. You know who else has universal, socialized health care, though? The UK. You know what else? They love it. No, really, they do. Despite what anyone in your church, your Libertarian Party meetings, etc. might try to tell you, the British cling to their healthcare system as a national treasure. You know what else? They’re not communists. Despite having this system for over fifty years now, they’ve done a pretty good job at avoiding Communism. It’s not a coincidence that “Wall Street II”, with Gordon Gecko and the crew, is being filmed and set in London.

So if you hate the idea of a government-run healthcare plan competing with private insurers, that’s fine. Express your opinions. Debate it. But drop the hate and anger. Drop the communist symbolism. You didn’t like George Bush being compared to Hitler by the left in 2004. This is the same song, same chorus, just different verse.

Thoughts at the closing bell:

• Football season is almost here! My Detroit Lions are definitely going to . . . ummm . . . well, they’ll field a team. The Colts are going to be an interesting team to watch. First season in forever without Dungy or Harrison. Michigan will also make me cry again, most likely, but they can’t be any worse than last years 3-9 effort. Bama looks to be a force again out of the SEC West. Come on, September.
• With that said, the coming of football season also means the coming of school. The last semester is upon me. The time really has flown by. Aug. 24th is staring at me like a snarling, angry beast. 21 hours between Law and the MBA. December, though, will feel like a surreal dream. I really, truly can’t believe it’s almost over.
• “The Road” by Cormac McCarthy was amazing. I was so engaged that I finished it in about four or five days. Now, I’ve committed myself to finishing “Einstein” before school. I also got “A People’s History of the United States”, to try and squeeze in some “white man’s guilt” before classes begin again.
• I’m also starting “The Wire”. I have to say, everyone who raved about this show was completely right. It’s just a jaw-dropping experience. I’m about to start Season Two. I borrowed the entire series from my law school colleague Ben, and plan to just try and plow through it. I’m also getting Season Two of “Mad Men” intermittently through Netflix. TV, I’m trying to indulge you before I must say goodbye again.

One love to you all. Holla.

Another successful Summit in the books

{editor’s note: this blog entry was typed out Monday morning at approx 1:30 a.m., while waiting . . . and waiting, in LeGuardia}

I reflect back on this weekend, and can only say that I am truly blessed to have a brotherhood of men to whom I can turn to and always count on to be there for me, no matter what. This weekend, four of my fraternity brothers and I went up to Boston for the weekend. We got in Thursday night, and left this (Sunday) afternoon. Actually, they left this morning, while I had a little time to head over and walk around Harvard Yard for awhile before my flight this afternoon. We did a ton of stuff, cramming as many activities as we could into what was, essentially, two days and three nights.

What I’ll remember from the weekend, though, is not the sights and sounds of Boston. Those, of course, were great. I’m actually extremely impressed with Boston, and Fenway was everything you’d think it would be. What I’ll remember most, though, is just how important these brothers are to me. It truly underscored to me how vital have true friendships and connections in our lives can be for our overall health and outlook on life. No matter what storms in life may come, I never doubt for a minute that these men are always there for me. Till next year and New York, boys.

Boston Highlights

With all of that in mind, I do want to take a minute to sing Boston’s praises. We stayed at the Back Bay Hotel in the heart of Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood. It was just a great place, completely “walkable”. In fact, both Friday and Saturday night, we hung on the street outside the hotel till 2:00 a.m. just smoking cigars and watching the foot traffic. Saturday, we actually walked all the way around the neighborhood, going up and down Newbury St. As I mentioned, Fenway is a place that any baseball fan has to go and check out. Watching a game there is the kind of experience that you can only get at some of the true Meccas of baseball, along with Wrigley and, I can only assume, the old Yankee Stadium (reports on the new one make it out to be a bit of a cavern).

Of course, we did many of the “tourist” highlights as well. We walked the Freedom trail, strode aboard the U.S.S. Constitution (“Old Ironsides”), had some fresh oysters at the Original Oyster House, and shared food and laughs at the original Cheers bar. I’ll also give this little tidbit out to you – if you love you some Dunkin Donuts, this is the city for you.

Watching the sun come up on the tarmac

I’m typing this wonderful little entry in New York’s LaGuardia International Airport. I will be pitching my tent here tonight, thanks to US Airways and LaGuardia thinking that the severe weather was just too much to handle earlier tonight. On the way to Boston, I had a non-stop flight from Indy to Boston. Coming back, my path was to go from Boston to Buffalo to New York to Indianapolis. Unfortunately, we were held up in Buffalo, and then once we were near LaGuardia, we were put in a holding pattern for almost forty minutes. At that point, our plane had to go to Newberg-Stewart Airport (??) to land and refuel, and we had to deplane and figure out what on earth was going on. By the time we finally got to LaGuardia, all my worst fears had come true: US Airways flight to Indianapolis – CANCELLED.

So now, I’m set to leave here tomorrow at 10:59 a.m. and get into Indy at 1:22 p.m. US Airways, this was our first dance; it will also be our last.

Thoughts at the closing bell:

• The Dow closed above 9000 this week. It’s too early to be sounding the victory bells, and unemployment is not correcting itself anytime soon. Still, it was nice to see.
• I finally finished a book! On the flights this weekend, I officially closed the last pages on “The World is Flat” by Thomas Friedman. It was a little sad how proud I was of myself to have actually finished a book for the first time in almost a year. Seriously, that’s a little pathetic.  Next up – “The Road”
• Tigers took three of four this weekend from the Chi Sox to take a two game lead once again in the AL Central. They’re going to keep my blood pressure nice and high until September.
• You’re gonna be, a shining star, with fancy clothes, and fancy cars. And then you’ll see, you’re gonna go far, cause everyone knows just who you are. So live your life.

On love to you all. Holla.

I’m Shipping Up To Boston

Thanks go to the Dropkick Murphy’s, for inspiring this weeks title, from their identically titled song.  You may remember the song if you’ve seen the movie “The Departed”. This title is in honor of Thursday afternoon, when I fly off to Boston, MA. There, I’ll spend three days and three nights in one of America’s oldest cities with Cosa Nostra. This is the group of fraternity brothers that I’ve been taking annual trips with now for four years (with a pause coming last year since, well, I was already pretty well traveled in China and Kenya). We’ve done Las Vegas and Chicago previously, with the goal usually either being to end up in a city with a major league baseball team . . . or a ton of casinos. So, it’s basically any of thirty cities or Las Vegas.

For those wondering, Cosa Nostra was the term that the members of the Syndicate, or “The Mob”, used to use in reference to themselves back in the 40’s and 50’s. It translates to “our thing”. The FBI and other agencies started mistakenly calling it “La Cosa Nostra”, because basically, stupid white guys think that you should put “La” on anything that’s of Italian or Latin origin. White people are so stupid. And women be shoppin. Our Cosa Nostra includes Patty, Patrick Evans, Buckley, and Match. It’s not that we’re opposed to others joining us . . .  just no one has ever really expressed interest to. Maybe next year?

We all get in Thursday night, where we’ll kick off activities at the bar Cheers. Yup, that Cheers. Then Friday it’s off to TOMB, this weird interactive puzzle thing. Then it’s off to check out Harvard University, then back to the main part of the city for a tour of Fenway Park before dinner, then it’s Boston Red Sox vs. Baltimore Orioles at 7:10 p.m. Saturday will have us checking out the Freedom Trail, The USS Constitution, and the JFK Presidential Library and Museum. That night, we’ll go for oysters and clam chowder at America’s oldest restaurant, Union Oyster House. Sunday, it’s head back to our respective homes.

School, School

ONE PAPER. That’s all I have to freaking write to finish up my summer - and I can NOT motivate myself to do it. I don’t know what’s stopping me. In fact, nothing should be; I have to write it. And yet, here I am, bloggin. Good choice, Andy. That’s how you get the ol’ academic swagga back.

Justice Sotomayor – Why was I here again?

At this point and history, I think most people are under the misconception that you have to have confirmation hearings for every nominee to the Supreme Court. In fact, you do not. In fact, it was not till this century, around the 40’s and 50’s, that having these full blown question and answer sessions, held before the public, really became in fashion. Now, it seems like a given.

My thought this time around, though, is that it would have saved everyone a lot of time, money, and for some of the Senator’s, a little public dignity, if they would have just skipped it this time around. Why, you ask? Because it was pointless. There are 60 Dems in the Senate. More than that, there are a handful of Republicans that had already planned on voting for her as well. In fact, at the start of the sessions, Hard Right Republican Lindsay Graham (R – S.C.) even noted that there was pretty much nothing she could do to screw this up, short of a meltdown. Because of her very moderate appellate record, everyone knew that wasn’t happening either.

So why did they still go ahead and do it? For political theatre, nothing else. So the Republican Senators could show their constituents back home, “Hey, see how hard I’m giving it to this crazy, left-wing nominee? Vote for me again in 2010!” So that Democratic Senators could say “Hey, see how open-minded and multi-cultural I am, and how much I’ll fight for Obama’s decisions? Vote for me again in 2010!”

It really does make me crazy. Of course, it was Senator’s from my own party that made me the craziest, once again. They beat the “wise latina” remark into the ground, even though they were misconstruing and blowing up it’s importance to begin with. Senator Coburn at one point even said that, in regards to some of her past decisions, that she was “Gonna have some s’plainin to do”. Really??? Are you freaking kidding me? Are you really pulling out ol’ Dezi Arnez bits to aim at the first Latina nominee to the Supreme Court. Seriously, Republican Party, you’re on very thin ice with me at this point.

Thoughts at the closing bell:

• The Tigers came out of the All-Star Break and promptly lost three straight to the Yankees. Good job, boys. That’s how you strike fear into the league that you’ll be there in September. Actually, at that pace, they’re praying you’re still around in September.
• I’m going clothes shopping on Wednesday. Carson Praire Scott is having a crazy sale, and I am in desperate need of some new . . . well, everything.
• I’m down to 171.5, I put in 43 miles last week, and this week kicks off weight training/running weeks for the next few months. I will be in Boston in 2011.
• Only 150 so pages left in “The World is Flat”. Then, it’s on to “The Road”.

That’s all for now. One love to you all.

You Bethca!

Before I begin, let me be up front about this: A fan of Sarah Palins, I am not. In fact, her presence on the ticket almost had me voting for the Big O in 2008. I couldn’t take the fact that I was about to lift someone to the VP spot who didn’t appear to have any type of grasp on foreign policy issues, or national economic issues, or . . . well, anything outside of “Pulpit Issues” (i.e. abortion, same-sex marriage, etc.). She seemed to be simply a women (which McCain thought was gold, given on all the disheartened Hillary voters) who had been elected based on a fiery and admittedly likable personality in a state that wasn’t exactly at the forefront of national importance. So my opinion can not be said to be unbiased.

With that said, I was utterly amazed by her decision to step down from the Governorship of the state of Alaska. Her argument is that all of the media attention, ethics investigations, and scandal-probes have become a distraction from her job as Governor (this argument was supported by Stanley Fish in an article for the New York Times yesterday). She also said that, basically, she wasn’t going to run for a second-term, everyone knew this, so why waste time being a lame-duck?

Well, how about because you ran for a four-year term as Governor? All this jazz about, “I just want to do the best I can as a public servant.” Well, the best you could do would involve actually serving for the entire term that the people of Alaska elected you to, I would think. No, instead, we are told that, just like a good point-guard would dish off to the more open teammate, it’s better for the people of Alaska if she dishes off to her Lt. Governor to finish her job for her.

I’m sorry, I just can’t buy it. I also don’t buy, though, the argument that her only motivation is to get more attention down in the 48 contiguous so that she can run in 2012. I think her motivation is not as much white, as in the house, but green (as illustrated in this interesting piece from The Daily Beast). If this is the more correct assessment, and I tend to think that it is, then maybe she’s much more brilliant then we’ve given her credit for; or, at the very least, more opportunistic then anyone imagined.

Marathon, Marathon, where for art thou, Marathon?

So, as stated previously, my BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal) for the the couple of years (deadline: 2011) is to qualify for the Boston Marathon. That’s going to require some major training. Yesterday, I selected an advanced training program from Nike’s new redesigned Nike + portal. It’s a really well-designed site, and I look forward to this challenging new program. In the meantime, though, I need to select a marathon for the fall/winter to make my goal. Any suggestions?

4th of July: Rainforest Edition

So this 4th of July, the Heaton’sdecided to have our first annual party at our new house. Every year at our apartment in Indy, we’d have a huge party with everyone over because we had a perfect view of the downtown fireworks. This year, we opened up our home to all of Holly’s new intern class. We had cornhole set up, a slip-n-slide ready to unfurl, and tons of food for the grill. Unfortunately, mother nature wasn’t down with our plans, and decided to make the entire day pretty much a drizzly, blah mess. Fortunately, our house has plenty of room in the dining room, living room, and kitchen, and so everyone was still able to hang around and have a good time. Still, not quite the 4th we were hoping for.

Thoughts at the closing bell:

• At some point this week, I WILL go and see The Hangover. I really want to see it, but also, I just want people to stop asking, “Have you seen The Hangover yet???”
• The Tigers bullpen is awful, and our bats are nearly comatose. Our starting pitching is the only thing keeping us in this. How we’re still in first place, I have no clue.
• I’m really enjoying my job, so this at least confirms in some respect that Law School was the correct decision to make.
• I’m actually almost halfway through The World is Flat by Friedman.
• Tonight is my last class session of the summer semester!!!!!!

That’s all for now. One love. Holla..

Fear of Posting Overload

Ok, so I have to admit right off the bat: I’ve been scarred to post this last week. Why? Simply put, after my last post, EVERYTHING happened. Literally, EVERYTHING happened. As events kept multiplying, I kept thinking about, “How massive would my post have to be to give adequate attention to EVERYTHING?” Well, finally, I’ve just decided to go for it. If I underplay something, then I’ll just have to live with that shame.

Wait, he’s NOT the father??

In case you haven’t heard (which would mean that you live in an Amish community that is located on an island in the middle of the Siberian Sea), Michael Jackson passed away last week. The news has not let a day go by without bringing up the King of Pop. Bill Simmons mentioned this on his podcast, and I agreed: I’m, frankly, shocked at the response to his death. I am in no way questioning this man’s musical talent and the gifts he gave to the world. I don’t even challenge that he’s as important to the world of art as many are claiming he was. What I”m simply perplexed by, however, is the number of people gushing over him now who, just a month, a year, even five to ten years ago, would have had nothing nice to say about him, simply talking about what a freak show his life had become. Simply put, it’s as if his death has allowed society to seemingly “forget” the last fifteen years, and simply dwell upon the good times, the “Thriller” days of Michael Jackson.

I have been very intrigued by the revelation that he is not that father of his three kids. Not just the fact that he never had sex with Debbie Rowe (which I never really seriously considered), but that he wasn’t even a sperm donor, or even remotely associated by DNA with these kids. I think it really sheds an even crazier light on the situation. Essentially, it means that he bought these three kids. That’s pretty wild.

PS – Why does Nancy Grace think we care so much about the “legal ramifications” of his will? Why does Nancy Grace still have a show? Have I mentioned I can’t stand Nancy Grace?

Jon & Kate + Heartache

Well, my bet on a pony turned out to be just slightly off. The Gosselins are indeed going their separate ways. I won’t belabor the subject, because at this point it’s been talked into the ground. I’ll simply say that it was hard to watch two people just flush out their raw emotions on camera like that. I was actually delighted to hear the next day that TLC was suspending production for a few months to let them “clear their heads” and try to “bring some healing” to the family. Maybe if they’d suspended production a year ago, this newest suspension wouldn’t be necessary; or maybe not. Sometimes, you just realize that what’s broke can’t be fixed.

In other celebrity death news

Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, and Billy Mays have all died in the last week. Those deaths, combined with Michael Jacksons’, really cast an eerie pall upon the week. Of those three, I’m saddest probably about Billy Mays. Mostly because he was so young. McMahon and Fawcett had the opportunities to live full lives. Billy was really just starting to ramp up his career. Plus, who didn’t want to buy OxiClean at 3:00 a.m. once Billy got done shouting at you?

On a side note, his commercials for ESPN.com that played on ESPN and allowed him to really ham up his “pitchman” persona were great.

No, seriously, stop using coal. We really mean it this time.

The House of Representatives recently passed the most comprehensive, far-reaching energy bill in the history of the U.S. Many on the right claim that, of course, it goes too far and that it will destroy the economy because it will make energy too expensive, and will price out American businesses going against unregulated industries in China and India. The Liberal left, while somewhat satisfied, has taken the President to task for not going far enough in pushing the environmental envelope.

First off, something that needs to be realized right away is that the Senate still has to approve this baby. Even with the Dems now holding a “super-majority” thanks to the election of Senator-Elect Stuart Smalley . . . I’m sorry, Al Franken, the majority is still going to have a problem with Blue Dog senators from coal-rich states (I’m looking at you, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, etc.). So the chances of this bill being watered down even more are fairly high.

Secondly, I find it funny when certain conservatives . . . ok, nearly ALL conservatives completely dog the environmental effort. They lambastAl Gore and anyone else who talks about global warming, which they feel is a complete fabrication of reality made up by bleeding-heart liberal scientists. They love to point to cooler days and the summer and make “witty” jokes like, “Boy, sure do hate this global warming.” Haha! See what they did, their? It was an ironic statement, because it’s actually a cooler day in June – Global Warming must be ludicrous, right?

The problem with this attitude is that it completely ignores and puts to te side ALL of the other realities of the environmentalists argument about energy conservation and alternative fuels that are not based on “speculative” science, but are based on numerical realities. These include:

1. Peak Oil – The fact that we do NOT have a limitless supply of oil available on the globe is inescapable
2. Dwindling Forrests – The fact that we are chopping down our rainforests at a ridiculous rate is not arguable
3. Overfishing – We have fished the worlds seafood supply to scarily low numbers

These are just a handful of environmentalist causes that can’t be argued because they’re based on simple facts. I realize the last two don’t really deal with energy, but they are part of my larger argument that certain parts of the “Green Movement” can’t be pushed away as conservatives would like to do. For them to do this, they would have to admit that they are only worried about today, or their children, and that they really couldn’t care about the next seven or eight generations after them. This is crazy to me.

I feel like maybe I should stop now, and just turn this into it’s own post at a later date. Making a mental note now.

Anniversary of the Birth of the Nation

On a note we can all agree on, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, U.S.A.! One of the greatest experiments in government ever to grace the earth. “I’m proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free.” Who doesn’t love some Greenwood on this weekend? I could go on and on about how much, despite my love of travels and all of the other cultures I’ve seen, I love this country, but I will restrain myself. This post has already gotten out of hand length wise.

Thoughts at the closing bell:

• So I mentioned last time that I am not really one for keeping up on the music scene. I do, however, have a love for podcasts. I listen to them wherever I go, whether walking, running, whatever, I’m always listening to podcasts. Here are my favorites, in no particular order. Try them out, see if you like them as well:
•  The B.S. Report with ESPN’s “The Sports Guy”, Bill Simmons – If you love sports and pop culture, you’ll love Simmons.
• Democracy Now! w/ Amy Goodman – Ok, so it’s a VERY left learning podcast, let me give that warning first. My thoughts, though, are that if you never hear both sides of an argument, how can you every truly argue it? If nothing else, it’s food for thought
• Common Sense and Hardcore History w/ Dan Carlin – These are two of my favorite podcasts. Common Sense is a show that focuses on a particular topic of the week, usually political or governmental, and proceeds to dissect it with, you guessed it, common sense analysis. It’s neither right nor left (though it leans libertarian). Hardcore History delves into a different historical topic or story each month, and provides amazing depth and background on many subjects that you may have not even known anything about. His series on the Carthaginian Wars in ancient Rome is my recommendation to get you started.
• John Eldridge and Ransomed Heart – This is usualyl around a 15-minute podcast, updated daily, that’s good for those looking for something to possibly punch up their daily time spent contemplated God.
• 1 Year Daily Audio Bible – Around thirty-five to forty minutes, simply a guy reading a chapter from three different books of the bible. At this time, it’s going through Kings, Acts, and Proverbs. Another good one for someone looking for a way to attack devotion from a fresh perspective.
• Real Time with Bill Maher – This is simply the audio for his HBO show. Once again, food for thought from various perspectives on current events is never a bad thing (caution: it is an HBO show, so language should be expected)
• The Adam Carolla Show – Because Carolla always has a comedian or someone else on who is hysterical, and they just shoot the breeze and make wise for about an hour (caution: this is another one that maybe isn’t for your toddler to listen along with you).
• Stuff You Missed in History Class from How Stuff Works.com – About a fifteen to twenty minute podcast that just simply provides a little information about a different historical subject once a day.

That’s all for now, kids. I’m exhausted. One love to you all.

Legend of the “Daywalker”

“Daywalker” is what all the vampires called Blade in Wesley Snipes beloved (is that a stretch . . . how about well liked?) trilogy about a half-human/half-vampire vampire hunter who could walk around in the day light. I use this as a reference point because, as of late, I feel much like a vampire. I can walk around in the daylight, but all of my energy and strength is used up in my nighttime activities. Now, you might be saying, “That a way Andy, party it up!” Alas . . . not those type of night time activities. No, these are of the “class until 8 and 9 pm” variety.

The light, however, is at the end of the tunnel. After a weekend spent cooped up in a lecture hall, discussing joint venture and Chinese business strategies, my International Competitive Strategy class is finally over. What does that mean? It means no more class on Monday nights. That’s one more night back in my arsenal! That just leaves T and TH night Sex Discrimination classes that should only last until a few weeks into July.  Then maybe, just maybe, I’ll have an ounce of relaxation and, dare I say, fun, before the Fall Semester starts back.

And Iran, Iran so far away . . .

In the last week, as Iran has seen itself plunge into a pattern of protest marches and riot police push-backs, many have speculated that this is the beginning of the end for the Ayatollahs. I mean, this looks just like the Orange Revolution in the Ukraine, right? East Germany in 1989, as the wall fell? This is the beginning of the end, ain’t it?

It would be nice to know. Unfortunately, there is a a large degree of uncertainty and difference in the way these riots and protests should be viewed. First off, those revolutions were really about nationalistic pride going against continued dominance by foreign powers (in both of my examples, Russian interference to be exact). Here, though, there is no rally against another nation. This is purely an internal debate. As such, there is less international pressure than there were in the previous examples. In those situations, the world could say to Russia, “Listen to these people, you must respect their sovereignty”. Well, whose sovereignty is to be respected here? This is purely an Iranian issues. Some could argue it’s the sovereignty of the populace versus the religious elite, but to be fare, it was by every honest account the “populace” who put the religious elite in charge to begin with in 1979. In the end, I don’t see this being the birth of democracy that some are hoping for. But it is a start to something.

Onward to Boston

The plane tickets have been purchased. On July 24th, I will be heading to Boston for the 3rd Annual Cosa Nostra Summit. Last years was put on hold because of my travels to China and Kenya. This year, though, Patty, Patrick, Buckley, Match, and myself will be touring the mean streets of Boston, MA. Of course, there will be a trip to Fenway involved. There will be a ton of historical places to check out, museums to visit, and all around good times to be had. This is truly brotherhood as friendship of the highest calling.

Why can’t I just be in Cincinnati already?

We’re now getting close to one month in of the great Indy-Cinci experiment. It’s been ok so far, but now that Holly has officially started, it’s becoming a lot more apparent just how difficult this is going to be at times. It’s just a lot to juggle. I love this women, though, and I have no doubt we can make it work. I love our new house and our new neighborhood though, and frankly, this “bachelor” lifestyle that everyone keeps giving me the wink-and-the-gun about is getting old fairly quickly. I just want to mow my lawn and play fetch with my dogs already (mark it – that’s officially the point in my life when I turned 45).

Thoughts at the closing bell:

• Tigers are in first place, with a four game cushion over Minnesota. I have a good feeling about this season. Just looks like all the pieces could be there.
• Financial Tip – Schwab High Interest Checking accounts. Ditch your crappy bank and get yourself a No-Fee ATM card and a bank account that gives you interest. It’s how all the playa’s play.
• I feel more musically out of touch right now than I ever have in my life. I couldn’t BEGIN to tell you what artists or musicians are popular on the radio right now. (maybe THAT’s the statement where I officially turned 45).
• Jon and Kate had a “special announcement” tonight. Most bets are on divorce. I’m betting on a pony.

One love to you all. Holla atcha boy.

Guiness, My So-Called Life, and a Touch of Gray

I don’t want to say that 27 “hit me”. When I turned that ripe old age yesterday, I didn’t particularly feel “traumatized” by it. I’m ok with it. It’s not a scary age by any means. I would be lying to not admit, however, that it does have a different ring in my mind than all the ages before it. I don’t know really how to explain why it’s older . . . but it just is. It’s older. It sounds older.  For now, though, I’m good with it. I’m actually none-to-afraid of 30. As I explained to someone a few weeks ago, 30 gives a man credibility. For women it’s an age of dread, but for men, its almost an age of validation. So yes, I’m ok with 27.

 

A pint of Guiness . . . maybe two.

Last week, Holly and myself finally got the vacation that we have long been looking forward to. As a reward for Holly’s graduation, we went on a cruise that left out of London and went to Ireland. We spent two days at sea, a day in Dublin, and a day in Cork. We went to the Guiness Brewery, the Dublin Zoo, and Blarney Castle  (where yes, we did in fact kiss the Blarney Stone). It was a great trip in that we both got to see countries we’ve never seen before. More than that, though, it was a great trip because, after weeks of stress from the move, the house, Holly’s graduation, we finally got to truly and honestly relax. We made a pledge to not check our emails for the entire trip. It was truly freeing. We got to focus on only each other and the task of de-stressing. It was a beautiful thing, indeed. Ireland wasn’t too shabby either. Avoid Dublin, though, it’s just a city. Embrace the countryside. That’s the Ireland you’re paying for.

 

My So-Called Life

I phrase it like this for the following reasons. On Monday-Friday, I’m working from 8am to 5pm as a law clerk at a law firm here in downtown Indy. On Monday nights, I have an MBA class, “Int’l Competitive Strategies”, from 5:45 pm to 9:15 pm. That is not a typo. On Tuesday and Thursday nights, I’m in “Sex Discrimination” over at the law school from 5:30 pm to 7:45 pm. On Wednesday nights, there is bible study from 7:30 pm to 10:00 pm. Did I mention that I live alone, as Holly has now officially moved to our house in Cincinnati. I’m living in my friends one-bedroom condo here downtown, since she moved to Chicago and hasn’t sold the place yet (though it could sell at any moment, at which point I would again need to relocate). My essential point is this – I have no life right now. I’m just a law school-MBA-law clerk machine, who doesn’t know the definition of fun.  December, you can’t arrive soon enough.

 

Jon and Kate + Annoying

So, I’ll admit – I’m a sucker for tabloid covers. Mags like Us, People, and Ok! will have me captivated in line at the grocery store. As we were getting ready to leave for Chicago (that’s where we flew out of to go to London), Holly and me caught some episodes of Jon and Kate + 8. I was mesmerized. Why would these people do this? Isn’t eight kids hard enough? Why would you want a film crew around all the time? And after twins, you went back for more??? I know I’m late to the game on this show, big time, but still.

All this to say, in the airport, Holly picked up the People magazine with Jon and Kate on the cover. I would be lying if I didn’t say I was excited, because I wanted to know! Is Kate really this big of a biatch? Is Jon really this much of a pansy? I needed to know, dammit! Well, People “confirmed” my beliefs that, yes, Kate is a batsh*t crazy, media hungry Harpie from the planet Estrogen. Feel free to enlighten me, though, if you think I’m totally wrong. Because really, I’m basing this opinion on no more than three episodes watched and two tabloid magazine articles. I’m open to being proven wrong.

 

Thoughts at the closing bell:

• The Tigers are holding into 1^st place in the AL Central. I really do think that they will still be there by the time October comes around. I’m just not impressed by the total package of any other team in the AL Central.
• Living alone when you’re married SUCKS.
• I’m pretty interested by the reaction from the different areas of the political spectrum to President Obama’s  Middle East tour. Conservatives (hard-righters, I mean) are saying that this is his time to finally open up about his true Muslim upbringing and intentions. Lefties say this is his chance to undo all the evils of W. in one swoop. I think reality will be a little bit more towards the middle.
• I finally started a new book! Does that mean that I’ve finished Einstein? Umm, no. But hey, I have gotten several chapters in to The World Is Flat by Thomas Friedman. It’s a great read so far, and I find that I’m “discovering” a lot more thoughts and ideas than I thought I would when I started the book.
• Lakers in seven.

That’s all for now kids. One love to you all. Holla.