2011 in review....crazy year!

This week I had a look back at my 2011 and I realized just how absolutely crazy the year was.  Three major things have happened to me this year.

The most crazy thing that has happened this year is the addition of JW to our family.  The past 4 months have been the fastest/slowest/best/most stressful months of my life, but at the end of the day I am just thrilled that I get to go home to a fantastic wife and baby at the end of the day.  CG put it best when he said having a kid is like a lifelong science experiment

The other big thing that happened in my life in 2011 was my dad dying.  Now most people who read this know that I was not super close to my dad at all, still a bit of a shock to have him die.  Luckily he did get to come up and see JW about a week before.  I am going to write a post that goes a bit more into this, see next post.

The third big thing that happened in 2011 was actually all the way back in January, that was that MW was pregnant at all.  Its very easy to forget about that time as we have JW here now, but it was a huge shock to find out.  It was terrifying, but exciting.

So although this isnt a very detailed post I wanted to get it published, I have had major writing block lately and want to head that off.

Happy 2012 everyone!

Does it seem like the word raid is getting thrown around a lot lately?

So I would like to start off by saying I am neither against or for the occupy wallstreet movement.  I think its great that people are protesting things that they believe in, but I feel a little bit like they are protesting too broad a range of ideas to really make a change.  Regardless of that there is a very troubling trend regarding the occupy wallstreet movement.....raids

It is becoming more and more troublesome to hear that raids are being carried out across countries.  Raids on law abiding citizens.  Some would argue that they are not law abiding due to the fact that  they do not have the proper permits and things of that nature, which I would grant you.  However there is a huge difference between a law breaker and someone who doesn't get the correct permit.  The majority of these people are not criminals, and yet are being pepper sprayed and arrested.....

This is the United States of America people!  We are entitled to protest under our constitution.  Public land is just that, public.   Why are people being pepper sprayed and beaten?  I don't care how much they piss you off, there is no reason to take those kinds of extreme actions.

And for those of you that are thinking I am anti-police you are dead wrong.  As a first responder I understand that those responding are under a huge amount of stress, however police are not above the law.  If a cop beats a protester its still assault and battery.  I don't understand this free pass to pepper spray/beat people.  Police can use force if necessary to remove someone that is breaking the law, pepper spraying someone at a sit in is NOT the use of force if necessary.

Raids are scary to me.  Its one thing to disperse a crowd, but a whole other thing to raid and arrest 150 people because you don't like the fact they don't have a permit/are ruining the grass.  This is the US not some dictatorship that raids people.  Police, state and local politicians do your jobs, but you do not have the authority to conduct raids on the people of the United States!

Bye Bye Barney Frank

Thank God Barney Frank is not running for congress again!  It seems like people in MA love this guy, but he is a bum and has done a lot to damage personal liberties in MA.  Lets hope that someone with a little common sense (be it democrat, republican, libertarian, etc.) runs for this office

Time to shit or get off the pot

So I have decided that I have reached a point in my life that I need to make some changes.  I have been trying to live very much the way that I did when I was 21/22 years old and that just isn't working.  So here is a small list of things that I want to focus on improving over the next year or so.

Eat right-
This is top of the list because, at the moment, my eating habits are well below where I want them to be.  I must admit that after JW was born I got a bit lax about taking care of myself and my eating habits have really gone down the shitter.  So first and foremost this month I am working on having good meals (starting with an actual breakfast, not just a granola bar.)

Drink less-
I am not 21 anymore.  I think in general it will be good to cut down on the amount I am drinking.  Occasional drinks and drinks at get together are, of course, still perfectly fine.

Relax-
I have become entirely to uptight in the past two years.  I think its just the fact that I have become busy and we had the wedding and then (not long after) JW came.  I just need to remember to relax and have fun!

Just because a rule pisses you off doesn't mean it is racist/sexist/against a religion

I am all for personal liberties and all that, but just because something goes against what you want doesn't mean that it is infringing on your civil liberties.

I read this article recently about a young Muslim girl who was offended by the fact that she was not allowed to wear her hijab while in her ROTC uniform.  She claims that it is discrimination by her superiors for saying that it isn't allowed.

Sorry kid, but ROTC is a uniformed group.  By joining it you are agreeing to certain uniform restrictions, that's a part of ROTC.  No one is telling you that you cannot practice your religion, but there are certain rules in things like the military.

Captains log...stardate 10-11-11

So I have been horrible about updating either of my blogs lately and I have decided to give everyone an update on all of the stuff that has been going on in my life, hopefully this gets the creative juices flowing.

As many readers know MW and I had our little boy on 29 August of this year.  Little JW is doing very well, getting big, and keeping his parents on their toes.  It has been an interesting view into something that is completely different than the way we had been living our lives before.  Its has had it's difficult times, but overall it is one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had.  Everyone is healthy and happy (although I think MW could do with some more nap time during the day!)Below is a picture!

(Don't worry I will include some more pictures as time goes on.  Also this was 100% him putting his finger like that)

Less than a month later my Dad died suddenly.  Luckily he had gotten to see JW before he died, but there were never any pictures taken, nor did he hold the little guy.

I am not overly emotional to begin with, but Dad dying put me in sort of an odd spot with a lot of people I feel like.  Many people know the history between my dad and I, but for you that don't it was not the greatest.  He was a drunk who didn't take the good care of my family and forced me to jump into the adult roll well before I needed to.  I am not to upset about this as I have turned into someone that I am proud of and I wouldn't be where I was without those experiences.    I made my peace with him long ago, so I can say that he went out with us as friends. However I became the next of kin and executor of the estate when he died.  Technically my brother is next of kin as well, but has taken zero interest in anything.  I am not ashamed to say that I hate this job, my father left me with zero and I am expected to take care of all his affairs....yea sure I will get right on that.

Needless to say the last two months have been very busy and I have been horrible about updating my blog.  I want to do this much more, so hopefully I can pull out a couple of posts a week.  I will continue the political aspects of this blog and its great history of hating stupid will be carried on!

When did having a personal opinion become a crime

This Florida teacher is currently facing possible termination from a PUBLIC high school for comments he made regarding his belief that gay marriage is an abomination....When did it become it a crime to have an opinion?

This teacher is a teacher-of-the-year winner and have a 100% clean record. His opinion has not been uttered in the classroom, he made a comment on HIS Facebook page. Just because someone doesn't agree with this teachers opinion (myself) doesn't mean that his First Amendment rights can be violated.

It seems like people are forgetting that the First Amendment covers all speech, regardless of what people think of the statements. It amazes me that this is even a possibility, the school system has no right to fire him. This is a publicly funded institution and for them to take a stand against freedom of thought is absolutely appalling.

Whats next? I believe in owning a gun so I get fired? I don't like polygamist so I get fired? I believe in God I get fired? People need to see how dangerous this way of thinking is. This is not a question of whether or not his opinion is correct, its an issue of the government being able to DECIDE what is right. Unreal