What's In A Word…

Swear words have bothered me for quite some time, and although I have many friends and family that use them, I have tried hard to avoid them. However in the endeavor to avoid using a cuss word here and there, I have noticed that I will use the equivalent in a much more toned down fashion. You know the words that I am talking about; words like heck, dang, eff, shiz, and even biatch. Now I don't like to brag, but I like to think that I am above that and that my intellect would convince me use words that sound better and not simply a rip-off or pathetic replacement of the original.

I heard a wise woman once say, "if you say that you might as well say the real thing." Granted anyone that doesn't say the real thing is currently pursuing the same goal as I am. But this friend of mine is right, because all we are doing is saying the exact same thing, but pretending to sound less vulgar. So I have set out on a new goal to learn intelligent words that have the same meaning but sound appropriate rather than dimeaning. Sometimes swear words just sound better, but if I get in a heated argument I want to be able to stand my ground in a more dignified manner while still making my point known…

NOTE: Sorry it has been so long since I last wrote, but I just graduated from college, had a baby girl, and got a new job. Now that things have cooled I am hoping to get back in the swing of things.

Pet Peeves: The Benefit of Smoking…

I have now lived long enough to work for multiple companies and have learned the ins and outs of most their policies. One of the things that I have never understood is the benefits that smokers get. It may be a federal law or simply a company's preventative measure, but why do people who smoke get an extra break than what other employees receive.

I have no qualms with smokers except for this one issue, well that and they clutter my fresh air. One has the right to smoke if he or she chooses to do so. My only wish is that every employee is given the same treatment when breaks are taken into consideration. How about giving me a break for not smoking. Better yet, if smokers are getting these benefits because they have an addiction, why not give me 15 minutes a day to browse the internet or play some video games?

Truth be told it isn't so much that they get an extra break, but often times they abuse this luxury and take these 5-15 minute breaks all day for the the 8 hours they work. I have often thought about taking up smoking simply for the convenience. Even if I didn't actually do anything but flash my cigarette box and walk outside to relax for awhile. As much as this drives me nuts, in the end I still have the advantage, because I pay about half on my medical insurance because I don't smoke…

This Is It: Thriller…

Thriller is the number one selling album of all time and where most people remember Michael Jackson as the greatest entertainer of all time. He pulled out all the stops by pushing the boundaries of what could be accomplished with music videos and dance. He introduced the moonwalk to the mass media, he won a record 8 grammys, and Michaelmania much like the Beatles was abundant. But being a huge MJ fan I appreciate those songs that may not have always been the most popular, or the videos that lasted for 14 minutes.

Album: Thriller
Favorite Song: P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)
Favorite Music Video: Beat It



I have a passion for the arts and I have always enjoyed the stage. Personally I haven't spent much time on it due to lack of vocal talent but I like to watch what others can accomplish. Beat It combined my love of Michael Jackson and my love of musicals together and that's why I have chosen this video. It was a homage to the show West Side Story of two opposing gangs but instead of classic Broadway driven numbers, Van Halen underscored it with a heavy rock guitar riff and solo. The end result was amazing and paved the way for more videos with which he became famous for.…

*NOTE* Due to school getting in the way I have had to postpone writing here, but I hope to pick up much more in the future as soon as graduation gets over with…

This Is It: The Final Curtain Call…

For those that may have heard, Michael Jackson is slowly coming back into the spotlight only to leave again. Recently he made the announcement of new shows to be performed in the London O2 arena. The "This Is It" tour will be the last time he will be performing in London, and rumors have been stated on multiple occasions that the tour will span 3 years in Paris, New York and other key locations around the world. To celebrate this historic occasion I have decided to discuss my favorite music videos from each album leading up to the first show on July 8th.
Check Out the Press Conference Here

Album: Off The Wall
Favorite Song: Working Day And Night
Favorite Music Video: Don't Stop Till You Get Enough



This was the first music video as the adult solo Michael Jackson. Although Michael has had success as a solo artist before and even was well known for the Jackson 5, he started to really propel himself and showcase his talent when Off The Wall released. The video is much more simple in its presentation than what he is known for but still grabs the attention of the viewer due to his infectious personality and fun dance moves…

Spoken Musical Intros and Interludes…

This is something that I am surprised still exists in music. You know what I am talking about; the spoken words at the beginning of a song. Usually they begin with the word Baby or Girl and they confess their love before the song begins. It is prominent in boy bands and was a common occurance in the 90s. One group that stands out right now is the Backstreet Boys. I have heard it multiple times and have ad libbed my own intros to music that sounds the same.

Now days it is a little different with T.I. on his song Dead and Gone but I would rather just hear the music, especially while listening to the radio. This is why they make radio edits in the first place.

While I am speaking of modern music, can they please stop filling the album full of interludes. I want to see how many songs I am buying on the back of the CD; not get confused with the artistic segues between each song. If you have them, that's fine, just don't print them on the CD case. 15 tracks don't seem that impressive anymore when I get home and find out there are only 10 real songs…

Yes He Broke The Pot…

In the end of September of last year I started writing about Los Caprichos and planned on doing so on a regular basis. Well I never continued doing it and now that this blog is set up I figured it would be a great way to proceed with them. So here we go:

Plate #25



The son is mischievious and the mother bad tempered. Which is worse?

Growing up I was spanked on the butt and assumed this was the way everyone was handled when doing something wrong. When I got married I planned on doing the same thing if such force was necessary. How else was I supposed to discipline my children so they would learn properly? My wife was quick to inform me that love is more important than hurt and could solve problems in the long run if handled correctly.

Now that we are expecting our first child in May we will be learning the joys of parenthood. Like all things, there is opposition in all things; the good and the bad. With the many wonders of raising a child also come the mud on the floor, the drawings on the walls, and even the broken pots. My daughter will most likely involve herself with breaking things that I hold dear and teach me the importance of patience and love. I hope that I and everyone can learn to be the more mature parent and handle those situations in the manner that can benefit both you and the child.

*NOTE: You can see my first Los Caprichos post HERE! Also check out the movie Martian Child

Pet Peeves: Cell Phone Hell…

There are many ups and downs of public transportation and the number one issue is obviously the word "public", so one should assume that not all will be dandy. Today, while riding the public bus on my way to school, I was greeted with the common occurance of a fellow passenger chatting away. Welcome to cell phone hell!

It has always bothered me that people choose to bring this part of their lives on the bus but even more so when they pretend not to see you and laugh out loud and talk above everyone else around. Weren't they taught to use their quiet voice while growing up? I understand that people have things to say and chores to get done, but mankind survived without cell phones in the past and I am sure it is still humanly possible to do so for 5-10 minutes. I do it, and although my wife may get upset while she is in the middle of the conversation, I figure I can hear the rest when I get home.

If I can't bring food or drinks on the bus, why should another be allowed to litter it with annoying chatter where I am not even allowed to listen in on the other half of the conversation. I would rather hear the local indians speaking together in their native tongue than one random person speaking to themself. I don't care for your cigarette smoke and I certainly don't want to be polluted by your cell phone conversation either…

By the way this annoyance applies to all small enclosed areas. Don't enter an elevator with your cool bluetooth headset and don't pick up that important call while eating at a restaurant. If you have something important to say, excuse yourself or wait and call the person back at a better time.

For Better Or Worse…

I am a sucker for the fantasy of the perfect marriage and I imagined I would be the prince charming when I got married as well as my princess having no flaws, but the "happily every after" line stated in Disney and Hollywood films never talk about the moments between. In fact most religious sects have it correct from the moment they say I do by adding a key phrase, "for better or worse."

Lately my mind has been thinking a lot about marriage and divorce and it struck me odd, how individuals can go from head over heels in love to bitter sworn enemies. I have been to many marriage ceremonies and receptions and each time the faces of the couples are overjoyed with the new step they have taken in life. Some of those are still married today and others have chosen an easier path of divorce. What was the difference? Why did some remain true and the others falter? Life is hard and I believe as natural men, we all choose to take the easy path than the one less traveled. Maybe the problem with this is that the road has become too weak and we let is crumble beneath our feet.

Many factors can contribute to the downfall; whether it was money issues, the stresses of school and work, the new responsibilty of raising a family, a possible affair, or even an heated argument. We all make bad choices and it has been said numerous times that communication is the key. We've all heard it, but when the relationship is on the line, we shut down and say nothing. That same person that you fell in love with has become your worst nightmare. Some choose to work through it and others give up entirely.

To me love is eternal, and when I love something I hold on to it. I understand that sometimes divorce is needed under special circumstances, but I will never understand how you can truly love someone and then walk away with the most bitter taste of revenge. All too often divorce ends up in court with one name calling the other, with children tug-o-warred in between, with possessions and money bargained for, and ending what started out in love, in hate. Check HERE for related article

I am not here to correct Disney because I still believe in living happy, but couples must work through the worse times in order to fully enjoy the better. In fact when the stresses of the world are taken off of my shoulders, my wife and I still enjoy a love only read about and seen in the movies…

A New Beginning…

I love to speak my mind, and I enjoy blogging to the world even if it is seen by few people. Since most of my posts in the past have been about my family and more of a personal journal, I decided to make this blog to share my thoughts without intruding on my family affairs. This will be more about my personal feelings of the world around us, my opinions on current events, and things I learn and can share with others. You may not always agree with my ideas, but together we can grow and learn from one another. I hope I keep it updated often and that we all can come away with something new to think about…