A Voice In The Wilderness

The other night I was speaking to someone from Portland and he commented on how bad it was there and that there was nothing to do. I thought to myself, he should be thankful he is not living in Albuquerque. Don't get me wrong, Albuquerque is a great place but it is boring as hell. Compared to Portland, we have absolutely nothing going on here.

So you guys just remember how lucky you are to be living in PDX.

I, Viddy

Tagged For: Portland * Death * Diapers

I, Viddy

Portland, Oregon and Albuquerque, New Mexico

I, Viddy

Burnout, Not The Video Game

So work sucks. Understaffed and over committed. Like a bicycle with two flat tires.

I, Viddy

Tagged For: Stress * Bullshit * Work

The Cold Weather Commute

Yesterday marked the coldest temperature at which I have ever biked in. It was 18 degrees outside at 6:30 in the morning. The night before I had been a little apprehensive but still confident that it would not be so bad. And it wasn't. I love riding in cold weather, it is quite invigorating as long as you are properly dressed.

I have been in cold climates before but had never ridden in extremely cold weather. In Portland, Oregon there had been a couple of times when we were hit with ice storms but on those days I had walked or driven to work. It was surprising to find out just how cold it can get here in Albuquerque.

The roads were a bit icy so I took it easy on the speed, riding to work at 14 mph but it only took an extra five minutes longer than normal. I wasn't alone, there were a couple of other hardcore cyclists that I passed along the way. It is still pretty chilly today so I may have another cold commute on the way home tonight but I am definitely looking forward to it.

I, Viddy

Tagged For: Cycling * Cold Weather * Commuting

Oregon State

The Beavers won! The University of Oregon took a beating.

Fear and Politics

Yes people, I am still blogging at I, Viddy but I had to vent here as well. Three automated calls within two hours from the Republicans urging me to vote for them or we will all burn in Hell. The Democrats will deliver us to evil. Blah, blah, blah...

You get the picture. I am moderately interested in the various races in Oregon and New Mexico but for the most part I do not want to be called at home by either party.

Tagged For: Politics

I, Viddy @ WordPress

Word up all you motherfuckers. I have decided to check out WordPress for a while and will be blogging there for the time being.

http://ividdy.wordpress.com/

Portland, Oregon

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Shangrila

Too Much Freaking Caffeine Man

The Pacific Northwest is known for its coffee, after all Starbucks started there but even when I lived in Portland I never drank as much coffee as I have been consuming down here in the Duke City. I'm freaking wired man. Coffee and cigarettes. It's almost midnight so I am just going to have one last double espresso before bed, just to take the edge off of my earlier caffeine consumption. Those god damned republicans.

Tagged For: Coffee * Addictions * Wired

More Republican Bullshit

In their ongoing mission to recreate the United States from a federal republic with ample freedoms into a fascist state, the Republican's are up in arms over recent video shot by CNN reporters travelling with U.S. troops in Iraq. Apparently the good folks at CNN did not have the common decency to censor themselves and furthermore had the audacity to release video showing an insurgent sniper attacking U.S. troops. Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif. is of the opinion that the press in the United States should not report on any items or issues that are not pro-American or I guess that do not meet his definition of pro-American.

What kind of bullshit is that? When I watch, read or listen to the news I would like to think that I am going to get impartial reporting, not goverment propaganda. Unfortunately the Republicans think that in 21st century Amerika the flow of information should be restricted, altered and refined so that only their message is going out to the people.

I read the original story on the Oregonian website here---> CNN sniper video

Tagged For: Politics * War * Censorship

The Army Says Be Nice

Correct me if I am wrong but how many of you picture the Axis powers from WWII, the Chinese and North Koreans from the Korean War or the North Vietnamese and Vietcong from the Vietnam War as having been smiling, cordial opponents? And the insurgents and terrorists in Iraq today, are they known for their hospitality and good manners?

Why then has the Army decided that it is in the best interest of our nation defense to switch to a policy of nice drill sergeants? Other than the fact that today's military is more about retaining bodies to fill the ranks rather than maintaining a military stocked with well disciplined troops who can be counted upon to fulfill the missions they are given.

See the story here: Nice drill sergeants

Basic training used to be about weeding out those individuals who are not suited to military life and for good reason. When you are actually deployed in a hostile environment it is not about fighting for democracy or defending the flag or helping the oppressed. It is about looking out for the welfare of the man/woman next to you and knowing that he/she is doing the same for you. It is knowing that you volunteered for a life that is not guaranteed to be safe or comfortable. It is about sacrificing personal comforts and liberties to be a part of something larger than one's self.

Why then has the Army embarked upon a path of creating the illusion that the life of a soldier is about being an individual, an Army of one? Why are the remaking the Army into a place where someone can go to be treated nicely when the fact of the matter is combat is very ugly? Remember people, this is an all volunteer military and has been since the end of the Vietnam War. You choose to serve and regardless of whatever propaganda is dished out by recruiters, an individual needs to realize that a soldier's life is not supposed to be safe and comfortable. When you join the military you are agreeing to accept the fact that you are giving up the choice to do whatever you want.

Lowering standards in order to have a larger pool of potential recruits is one thing for I am certain that there are plenty of people who have made mistakes or test low on entrance exams who otherwise have the potential to be fine soldiers. But it is another thing entirely to paint the military as a pleasant and hospitable lifestyle when historically our military has and continues to be drawn into bloody conflicts.

Nice drill sergeants? Okay, but show me the nice wars these recruits will be sent to fight.

Tagged For: Military * War * Recruiting

Duane "Dog" Chapman Arrested

So most of America has heard of the recent arrest of Duane "Dog" Chapman and how the Mexican government is demanding his extradition south of the border to face charges related to Dog's capture of convicted rapist Andrew Luster back in 2003.

All sorts of rumors and conspiracies are floating around as to the true nature of the Mexican's wanting Dog Chapman back. Some people, including Dog himself, are claiming that he is being traded to Mexico in return for persons wanted by the United States government. Others simply question why, after three years, do the Mexican's now want Dog Chapman back to face charges?

I'm certain that in time all of this will play out in the media. But I am curious about one thing.

Duane "Dog" Chapman makes his living and has become a celebrity on cable TV by bringing fugitives and bail jumpers to justice so why has nobody made an issue out of the fact that Duane Chapman did exactly what those he chases does. He fled from authorities when he was originally arrested in Mexico. Isn't anyone going to state the facts here? He was arrested by Mexican authorities for what they say were legitimate charges and rather than staying and answering to those charges and clearing his name, Dog chose to run.

So before everyone gets on the Free The Dog bandwagon, just remember the entire series of events that transpired in the first place.

Tagged For: Duane "Dog" Chapman * Crime * Celebrity

300 Years and Still Alive

So yeah, 300 years and we're still standing. Not too bad for a city that most people cannot even spell. In your face.