How ridiculous is Mccain and Palin?

this ridiculous: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxS4ScPZoaM&feature=related

Federer's "off" year

First off, I want to state that the number one player in the world is Rafael Nadal, and deservedly so. He has done everything asked of him to attain the number one world ranking, and this article is not meant in any way to belittle that accomplishment or Rafa.

This article is about the former number one in the world, Roger Federer, and his year of "what ifs". That's right, we've asked ourselves several "stop the presses" type of questions about the guy this year:
" What's wrong with Federer?"

"Is age a factor for Roger?"

"Is he fatigued?"

"Was it that weekend spent with Jessica Simpson?"

Well, the last one about Ms. Simpson is of course false, but the other are questions that several current tennis folk keep trying to answer. The one question people should really begin to ask is "how off really was this year"? Be that the U.S. Open is still in his sights (18th straight grandslam semi btw naysayers), Federer has chalked up two tournament wins comparative to his regular mark of 7-10 per year. He has lost more then anytime since his ascension to number 1, and he has relinquished his coveted Wimbledon title and top player monniker to Rafa Nadal.

Lets try and read between the last 4 years of the so-called Federer machine. Countless 2 out of 3 set matches one 7-6 in the third by Roger, 5th set pure genius and luck against Agassi in the windiest of conditions in 2004, a come back against Nadal down match point, down match point to Roddick on two separate occasions and 2004 Wimby final luck, Gasquet a few times down match point and one time losing, ande momentum shifts abound vs. Agassi and Roddick in New York as well as winning the big points against Djoker (Novak Djokavic) in the U.S. Open Final last year. Mental toughness, brilliance, and things falling the right way have led Roger Federer to the greatest 4 years of any player in history-but this dominance was by no means as easy as the experts lead you to believe. Federer could have lost any of these matches at any time, its a tribute to him that he is so tough to beat and that he didn't lose these matches. All of a sudden this year, he is losing these types of matches. Same exact type of tennis agains Djokavic in Australia, but this time Novak won the big points. Roddick beats him in 2-3 sets..of course it goes 3. Nadal comes back twice on clay to win masters tournaments, gives him pounding at Roland Garros, but he also was points from the title in a match called the greatest of all time (how he didn't get any of those break points to convert I will never believe).

He has had his share of losses though to less heralded players, but the point is those less heralded players always had their chances. Federer plays a beautiful game and he is what you aspire to look like playing tennis, but the truth is the boys on that tour all have game. Anybody can beat anybody, ask Roddick, Djokavic, and Nadal. So I ask how bad is this year? When a player is plus 30-35 matches in terms of wins to losses, had mononucleosis and could have won a semifinal by a few points going his way, and reach 2 major finals (maybe 3) and 4 straight semifinals this year to go with 2 tournament victories and a gold medal in Olympic doubles. I would say Roddick would take that, Safin would, Novak would, even Nadal would have taken that, but when it happens to Federer, immediately the experts had a field day with him.

Let me say something, Roger Federer is a consumate pro. He will win more majors because the game is there, the athleticism is still there albeit still missing a month of off-season, and knowing how to win is there. He loves the game for what it is, and no one has marked his level of consistency since Pete Sampras...but he never won three slams in one year 3 different times.

Musings

This is just food for thought as I usually think up these tasty nuggets during highly captivating conversations, activities, and rounds. Again, something to just think about, if you like it you can take it and if you don't..just send it right back.

1) Have starving hip hop poets, musicians and artisans been screwing the metaphorical pooch all these years because a self-made nincompoop named Soulja (yes, I'll respect the stage name) Boy spent 30 minutes in his basement and additional 45 minutes on Myspace, creating hip hop glee to young, "daddy go buy me that on iTunes" America, or is it that what the genre is turning to. I'd like to believe that every soul needs an "in" when it comes to a mind reaching a maturity in their later years to evaluate good music, compared with nincompoop folly. I believe I found hip hop predominantly through MC Hammer. Sorry MC, I unfortunately was too legit to quit, but you survived on through trashy 90s parties, Deion Sanders, and pants (but for a few years). I'm believing young Soulja B. mirrors that same career; snagging that window of opportunity we all know the Shawn Colvins and Edwin McCains have had and making music that is so wretched, people listen to it because they need to be reminded that it can only get better then this (see the late 90s and Jay-Z owning Diddy P, P duffy, piffy).

2) Why do we believe anything that Jose Canseco says? Same reason we (well the so called "people" of the jury) found O.J. innocent, we as people, naturally, are idiots. Hell, I'll be the first hombre to throw his sombrero (to Mexican? did I not need that?) into the stupid pile, I've done some pretty stupid things, but none of which lead to possible testicular inferiority. Canseco lied for years, and now because Senator Mitchell wrote a term paper to the world, we have given old slugger the benefit of the doubt. Never mind that, he just got his second book deal? Any ways...just something to think about.

3) Colognes, perfumes, deodorant, etc., All things designed for hygiene. Chemicals, chemicals and more chemicals are continually applied on our bodies by us, for the sake of us smelling good. Are human bodies, by nature, that foul to the nostrils? The truth is that, we mask our bodies so well because we are some of the stinkiest creatures known to man. Sure, sparky, fluffy, and fido can smell fairly bad now and again, and thats to be expected, but the truth is...we are all not ready to fully grasp the stench that the human body can produce.

anyways...I get bored, and I tend to speak quite a bit about nothing. Thats neither here nor there. Enjoy the rest of your day America, I have some web stats to party with.

peace,

anandimus

Before i go to work, lets talk about grudges...

Grudges are what we need to steer away from as a society. Often times we tend to look at ourselves in the mirror as angels..well maybe not angels, but as George Bush probably looks at himself. Yeah, like you haven't done anything questionable in your life. The truth is that we hold each other to such high esteem to the point of not realizing sometimes that we are all human and that we make common, human mistakes. Think about this for a second, if we only use 10% of our brains..what does that equate to in EQ..or emotional quotient/intelligence for you less nerdy. I don't think we can ever expect that everbody be perfect and that there is no room to be wrong and to forget about things...and im holding myself to this more and more as i realize mistakes that i have made in the past. I think moving forward in our lives, i think we all will see how hard it is to hold hate and malcontent in our hearts as it truly does hurt you both physically and mentally....do we really want that? Do we really want a grudge to hold us back from friends? Aren't we all on this earth for each other? God isn't physically down here, and this is for any god you believe in, but no supernatural power is here to help us and solve our problems for us...don't we owe it to ourselves to be positive and move forward in our lives? Im making the personal decision in my heart, and for the betterment of the once proud civilization on top of my head which is called my hair, that negativity will provide a loss of both, and the grudges are not the answer, arguments are, but solving them is what separates us from the rest of the food chain...which is now making me hungry, good night.

Bad Media..bad bad Media

I tend to let myself think in tangents. Through those times I voice my opinions about those tangents, rather loudly, but I think that there is merit in somethings I do talk about (just go with me on that). I got into some random conversation with some friends not too long ago about Tv, music, in other words live-action art and I let them know how much it pisses me off. If you haven't noticed it yet, a form of segregation has occurred that we haven't even began to discuss: its the segregation of people through media: most notably TV and Music. First of all, I know I'm just a upper-middle class Indian boy who grew up in the 'burbs and enjoys his upper-middle class life, but momma didn't raise no dummy either. So i had the great times of being the brown kid not getting the ball enough when playing with all black guys or all white guys at times...cuz the way people think is that brown kids aren't fast, can't jump and should go back to studying and play golf or tennis (which i played as well). Well those stereotypes are what being a brown kid are about, and i overcame...im just surprised that art forms have become the new wave of subtle innuendo towards segregation. Take a look at the genres of music that are most listened to by a young to young-adult crowd: alternative, hip-hop, country, and rock-top 40. These are great forms of music in their own regard, and they should be enjoyed by all...but the message that people give out do not support this. Im not afraid to admit that i love each of these forms of music, and i love some more then others, but i have a deep respect to all of them, but there are things that the media has done to the public that need to stop. First of all, who cares if the young white kids listen to hip hop or rap?? Seriously, if they like it and are expressing themselves in that way, then why should it matter? Why should we even put it out for the public to listen to if it isn't really meant for us all? I get so irritated at anyone with a touch of color on their skin that has something to say about hip hop music and making fun of white kids for listening to it? Grow up, and know the facts...and those are that the last great lyricist we have had in hip hop in the mainstream arena was a guy named marshall mathers, or eminem...jay z and nas were before him in the timeline of hip hop so they dont count...and if you dont know that, u probably shouldnt look down on someone for enjoying what they are listening to, however ring-tone sounding it might currently be...hell, cmon, in '97 i was rockin mo money mo problems and at that time that was the music the older crowd frowned upon..and btw, if u like fort minor, u are listening to two white guys, two black guys, and a japanese american as the lead vocalist.... Thats just one instance...now to alternative music: if people who like to flaunt there "indie" side so much could really get it through to themselves that they have inadvertently been influenced by the sounds of hip hop then their opinions also shouldnt matter..and im not just talking about what people seem to think that Linkin Park is this brand new form of music, im talking about the alternative revolution that has taken place that also brings hip hop into the mix. Red hot chilli peppers, 311, Rage Against the Machine....all have some ties to hip hop and shouldn't be appointed to just white people and their electric guitar, and because i brought it up..realize in these groupd btw, there are about 5 of the most influential races in america and they would probably offended in likening their art as just "white music". So don't think its weird or strange if someone likes it, if we are truly unique, then let people act upon their uniqueness more often and dont put them in a box where they can't reach beyond there boundaries that the media has placed upon them. I can go on about the other types of music, but i want to get to the media. The media has made us believe that there white, black, latino, brown, and asian all play out a self-fulfilling prophecy about themselves....im telling you to rebel against this. TV has segragated tv into religious channels like TBN, race only like BET, and stupid america will watch anything channels like mtv and vh1....this is wrong. Why should i be black to enjoy the top hip hop music videos that unfortunately is only available on BET? Why should we feel like both the channel and music really isnt for me? Because the media has done that.....look at the crowd that goes, no other races are represented, but u can rest assured that the music is being listened to....so my point is, its not black entertainment...its brown entertainment, its white entertainment, its f'ing Entertainment. Why should catholics/Christians get their own channels? We live in a country that was based upon religious acceptance and that God wasn't put into a box of one religion. As responsible media reps and producers, they should realize that much and if they want segments or places to have their own shows, there are other ways to do those things...that or we should have protestant channels, hindu channels, and dare i say it in america..muslim channels..why not? Honestly, equality is what we always here about but the media knows how to twist it. Another side of it, if you ever hear Jerry Seinfeld, George Lopez, bill cosby or will smith speak about their block buster tv shows that they had, i dont think you would think twice about the arguing that those shows were meant for one group of people...in fact, Cosby has called out america in their lazy less progressive thinking toward the world and the fact that we can't enjoy art to enjoy it, not to percieve it only as a person of a certain group. Im not saying we shouldnt appreciate cultures or our own cultures, but we do that as a group....ultimately we are in America, and the fiber of the America that i think we all choose to live in is one where we appreciate people and their culture for who they are, but we all have the freedom to enjoy in all art forms. I have a tough time in the world today with the lack of communication and understanding people have towards other people, my only hope is that we get people talking more openly about the issues that constantly separate the races in this country.....we are going to come up on tough times and going to have to rely on each other as the american public more often thanks to a variety of issues that our leadership has put us through..having the media segregate ourselves through the arts, will weaken our country even more.

new years resolutions

so through out 2006, i found out alot about myself. the all-encompassing thing was that i have outgrown alot of things. i started feeling this way most of the year, but seem to revert slightly time in and time out...but lately its hit me fully....and my new years resolutions have to do with it.....here goes...and btw, this is just for me, but we havent had a blog here in a while so here goes:

1) this year i am through with the "playing the field" strategy towards dating and relationships; i actually know what i want so no need to hide out for anything less.
2) i dont like getting hammered every weekend anymore. i started feeling this way after my 25th bday..granted i still enjoyed that night, and i will enjoy those moments in time when you deserve to cut loose, bdays, new years, weddings, people in town...but the aim no longer will be to do it just because its the weekend.
3) i am going to read atleast 3-5 books this year, and so what of harry potter might consist of all of them...
4) Keep my GPA above a 3.6...for selfish nerd reasons.
5) binge drinking is officially not a hobby anymore, so avoid binge drinking environments like a fat kid avoids manual labor.....especially the lincoln bar scene.
6) learn how to cook....besides all things pasta
7)avoid the use of credit card usage, last year sucked due to house buying, this year...i am going to just say no.
8)keep my hair short. this is a dumb one, but the great feeling i have about never having to comb my hair is matched only by getting rock star parking at the grocery store.
9)huskers win national championship in football...well i cant really determine this outcome...but notice how i didnt say it had to happen this year....something to the effect would be nice...or what the hell, it would be nice if this happened this year.
10)do some traveling not only to Michigan, preferably some overseas traveling...if it happens to India I go.


and there it is, mainly the thing is about going to the bars all the time and whoring out myself to their prices for a bottle of suds....being better with money, not drinking as much..thats about it...ok my blog is done...bye.

"That's Kind of gay...but hey...."

First and foremost..this isn't an article about homosexuality (i refuse to get into what i think about that in this environment) but read this article first:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/football/ncaa/10/31/espn.commentator.ap/index.html

Now that I hope you have read potentially one of the funniest articles and stories in a long time, on to the meat of the matter. Should this guy get fired?

why he should: I guess you can say that the gay/lesbian community (they're a community?) would be offended in type casting the word "gay" as an expression of anything referencing feminine. The logical argument is that they are Men just as Straight men are and that to connotate anything different is negative and should be reprimanded. You could also state that the comment could have estranged that audience from future telecasts of your network as well as enthusiasts of that movement (i dont even know what that meant..i dont even know if its called a movement...i think more along the lines of...positive understanding of differences).

why he shouldn't: Most people use the word gay as a feminine thing to say with homosexual being the correct term, so it would really have been bad if he said.."wow, that was a really homosexual thing to say...". I don't care to stereotype or anything but I wonder if ESPN did their homework on their Demos as to who and how many of anybody watch or even subscribe to ESPNU? Not to say that this community wouldnt watch football (although i know u were all thinking it), but to say...are we really offending anyone if they are not even watching it? Since the word "gay" use to be something that was connotated as happy (i.e. flinstones theme song.."gay old time") and even some homosexuals now give that word a negative emotion to it....he was really just poking fun at himself right? How about this argument right here: what if it was a woman? What if a woman said that? Would she have gotten fired? All good questions..why? ..because i asked them...fools.

Anyways, my thoughts...in the "type" (i could all day about society) of society we live in..i guess ESPN did the predictable thing and fired the guy..and in this society...it was probably the right thing to do. As for the scenario and situation..let me say this....this would never happen in Europe. The problem is we are extremely judgemental to the nth degree in the states: our morality is determined by the immoral and our media is usually the judge, jury, and executioner in that. ESPN would have been a lamb at the slaughter had they not done what the did. I am not saying i agree or disagree with the way society plays it...but it is the way right now. Its one extreme to the other in this country....the extreme liberals have their hateful speech (rosie o'donnel..well maybe not so much her but i dont like her..my opinion deal with it) and the extreme conservatives (pat buchanan and jerry fallwell...the wonder-bread twins) have their views (btw..i know i've said this b4 but they say they are christians..well no christian would judge as they do, instead they would pray for their fellow man and ask God for the forgiveness of themselves and others..ahem)...i dont really see it happening with those two pompous sonz o'....woo..well thats all the time i have...throw some thoughts out about this. Like i said...its just a philosophical question here....based on your thoughts on society..whaddya think?

failed experiments

I am picky. I have never been easy to please, and when it comes to relationships and women...its in full-force. Ever since my last girlfriend and I broke up (i don't feel bad about that one at all though) I told myself.."self, you need to go out and date around and meet people as much as possible because you need to see whats really out there. Well after about oh...10 dates with about 5 different girls or so i realized something...i hate dating. I absolutely hate it, i hate the akwardness when something in you tells you "they aren't the one" and you have to tell them how you feel, i hate having to put myself out there because someone is playing hard to get, i really hate meeting someone really cool and finding something about them that you cannot get over and hurting yourself in the end. That was the case of the last one and it still sets me off. Granted, it was a tough decision to make, but one i would make ending in the same outcome....but i know now why i remembered why i hate dating.

I am a complex son of a bitch, thats how i am viewing myself right now. I am hard to please and starting to fear if i will ever be convinced in someone being right for me anymore since the few times i did feel like that i got burned. There are somethings i know i wouldnt have a problem with, and somethings that i cannot shake..i wish i was like my friends more and be able to look at the big picture a bit better...but this Seinfeld tendency from me will just not quti and i am fearing that i am compromising my own happiness alot of times. I don't believe its anything superfical, but as i sit here and type this for you (well its for me..i needed to vent to someone that is impartial and will just listen..maybe even tell me to suck it up)i realize..maybe i need to change a bit and maybe....i am really guarded.

Its obviously because of past shit that i have gone through that has given me this jaded opinion on relationships and "who" would be right for me. The minute i cop something for someone, lately..it seems like there is always this one thing about them that i cannot swallow and it happens to end. Maybe thats wrong of me to do, i know for some of those instances it was definitely the right thing to do.

Unfortunately all of this has created a chip on my shoulder and given me the mind of a guy who now is beginning to think he isn't ever going to reach a level of content with somebody because of the past and what it has done to my mind. The chip gets bigger as i start to think about my own racial issues...because..unfortunately..thanks to the past...i think i am almost jaded on that. So where does all this lead me? So far i am currently saying that i hate dating, i am extremely hard to please, i am ridiculously picky, sometimes one thing is big enough for me to not let go, and i am developing a nasty habit of racial profiling when it comes to dating....so i dont see anyone knocking on my door anytime soon...i almost hope they don't...for their sake...until i figure this out.

Sorry for this blog, its pretty much my mind racing 150 mph.if this blog is to be different..well the lack of flow of this piece and the suppression of common sense is probably what the doctor ordered.

Sorry if this offended anybody, but unfortunately this is me and i am finally prepared to take the blame for letting past stuff get to me and create these schemas in my head.

Peace,

Anandimus

A message from Kipling

"If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same.
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings-nor lose the common touch.
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And-which is more-you'll be a Man, my son!"


this is how I want to live my life...have a good one y'all

ex-clu-sif especial edition! Religious Awakenings

Please know that I am not an expert or anything and that i don't speak for my church..I am just speaking my heart

Ok y'all first of all i am proud to say this...I am a Christian...i always have believed in God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, but i feel like i live it far better than I used to. Now i am not affiliated with a specific form of Christianity, but if you are...thats totally cool. My church is Trinity Interdenominational in omaha, ne and i friggin love it and the service Terra Nova on sunday nights...its so eclectic and what really turns me up about God...that he is different and all kinds of different people love Him. From the grunge, to the hip hop, the prep, to the throw back...its all there in that community..but today's article isn't about trying to sell anything to anybody (but if you would like to go see how we do it...let me know), its to talk about my belief system in what the "religion" and the "former" belief of Christianity has been to people and why alot of the world doesn't care to listen to us about life.

This is the definition of Christian: of, pertaining to, or derived from Jesus Christ or His teachings: a Christian faith. Thats it, in a nutshell its to believe and follow it. Christians today, and myself in the past (and sometimes present) seem to lose this message. Being a Christian is about being a servant to others, being humble enough to think and pray for others that you know and you don't, and to make decisions as Jesus would have...or atleast try and do that. This means out with the pride, the "i have to have this now" mentality, and the "i only care about things in my scope".

I feel we have lost this message. Throughout history you can blame the ignorance of Christians for wars, death, and the like just because people chose not to believe the same way as they did (i fear islam might be going through that in about 1000 years from now as well but thats another paradox). It took Jesus to come here die for us and forgive us of these things as well as his disciples after Him. If you can't see it, its happening again...and its not like it JUST started...but it is happening...and what I am referring to is Self-Pride and Personal glorification.

I have been to a variety of churches in my time and ofcourse there is singing and worship, offering (which if any Christian doesn't think that its needed...they need to read there Bible), then a message, an alter call maybe and then its over. You feel good about yourself and feel really good about yourself.....but thats the problem. I have to say it...we turn our noses to what Jesus has taught us for the past 2000 years: we aren't serving the meek, but serving ourselves...heck, we aren't even serving each other. We are JUDGING..thats right JUDGING everything and everybody that isn't the same as us based off of what the media has done to us and we come off as stuck-up, narcisstic, egotistical...well you know where i am going with that. We have people like Jerry Fallwell fighting our battles, Pat Buchanan, even G-dub who SAYS he is a Christian...in what respect is what i want to know? Are you doing anything about South Africa (they are undergoing a religious/racial holocaust), Jerry, can you unwrap your mind away from Gay marriage and stop judging them ( i am against it, its just me..but at the same time its 1% of the population of America and God judges everyone, gay or not gay..cuz we are all sinners) and spread a message of love to the slums and gang ridden parts of America? Pat Buchanan....can you just stop talking all together?? Alot of Christians take these people and follow them, not on their ignorance because i believe Christians need someone to believe in....how about the dude who wrote the book on how to live himself...Jesus. I know "Christians" (not in my group) who say they go to church groups (first of all the definition of church is a body of believers of Jesus Christ..nothing to do with a building)and that they keep each other accountable about how to be better Christians...thats fine, and good i have that too..but what do you do for the Gentile around you? (gentile is a biblical term that pretty much today means...unbeliever or someone who doesn't know)Are you feeling pretty good about yourself and all the things you aren't doing thats a sin...because if you are...you need to reevaluate some things. I remember when i was a child in College Station, TX i had kids church in the morning and there was a puppet show involved (greatest church...ever)it was about two people: The one that boasts to God in prayer about all she is doing better then the other people at her Church and in general, then there is another lady who doesn't have much but she stays meek, and sincere and she doesn't tell God about the little she had that day and she gave it to someone who didn't have shelter, food, etc....she wanted forgiveness, and just gave thanks for what God had given her already and that she were to be used to continually bless those who need it.....who do you think is valued in God's eyes? Yeah, the 2nd one fa'sho. I feel like there are too many of the 1st type: you might go to church, be apart of some groups, and might not do somethings that you think are "bad"...but if you are judging those who do those things...what makes you so much better?

I asked my Pastor at church (he is awesome) about what has happened to Christian beliefs and the like that we get such a bad wrap in the media, and its so bad that Jesus himself gets into cartoons, skits, purely for satire. He answered..."dude..its all our fault..and by us I mean Christians". He let me in on all the things we have done about turning our noses up on the non believer and just busying ourselves with worldly things and aspirations such as shopping, gossip, and personal wealth...and all of that leads to haughty-ness and the world now doesn't feel connected to that like it did back in the day. Thats so true....i know alot of Christians that think they are sweet and will only care to be friends with Christians. If this is our way..then we are facing a downhill battle boys and girls for Christ. "love your neighbor as I love you" Its Jesus' 11th commandment (i think, but its in the Bible i know for sure)...it doesnt matter if he or she is gay, an alcoholic, islamic, and yes..even morman (joke)....but if we, as Christians, don't get out in the world and let them know that "hey, i want to be your friend" because regardless...we are all sinners in the end and if we don't friend these people and stay in our shell and just worry about who we are friends with, well i cant be friends with them if they do this or that, or its not even my duty to have anything to do with them...we have missed the picture. The stereotyping of people that we as Christians do has got to stop. I mean..there is almost a negative connotation to being a Christian now..and its our faults as Christians. I keep reminding myself as i right this joint about the parable about the Good Samaritan and the Jews: i believe it was a Jewish man was hurt and Jew (meaning Christian)after Jew walked by not helping..it took a Samaritan (non-Christian) to help the Jew and was instantaneously convicted after that from God..thats how i envision what i like to call the "neo-christian" movement...helping/blessing others that need it, no matter what kind of life they lead or have led because you love Jesus and you want to do as He would have. We have been stuck-up, snobby, and judgemental about everyone else way too long...Its time to focus on whats important.

The final note i will leave you with is another story in the life of Jesus, its about when he went to the Temple to pray but saw tax collectors and betting, basically a place of trying to gain personal wealth, and not a personal relationship with God. He stormed in there and just tore it up and screamed at all of them: thats what alot of Church needs right now...and rude awakening from the Man himself, or ballsy Christians that take a stand that "its not about you" its about everybody. Thank you for letting me indulge myself in this....like i said, these views are mine and mine alone and that i myselyf struggle with these things as well and its something i ask God to relieve me of and i repent from it. If it got any Christians curious...awesome....if it got any Christians upset...........: ) Awesome

ex-clue-sif vol. 2: Thank You NYC for redefining me

As some of you might know, i went to new york city this past weekend for Laborious day and i just wanted to take this week to reflect on what that city taught me and what it needs to teach the rest of "closed" america. I got there around friday afternoon and my first encounter with culture shock happened about 20 minutes on the cab ride to my brother's apartment. It was the whole "we're not in Kansas any more" feeling as you drive around and see big building after big building around you. As i got into my brothers closet of an apartment that costs more then my mortgage for my 3 bd 3 bath house, all i could see was a city through the window while leaning on his radiator...at tha time i challenged myself to really take this weekend all in no matter what happened. Thanks to my flight schedule, i didnt eat anything from the french toast sticks i threw down that morning to about 6 pm. Being a classic TMNT (teenage mutant ninja turtles..that is, for all you who need to be schooled) i wanted to try NYC pizza...so my bro and i decided to go down the street to a pizza place, straight up new york thats all i gotta say. This joint was run by some of the nicest IRANIAN peeps and the food was good too. I asked for some gah-lic bread rolls and a slice of pepperoni and canadian bacon..dee-lish. After that i wanted to go to manhattan pub to wash it down with some beer...another good moment for me. You know how when you go out in omaha or lincoln, even the bar tender dresses up like a cross between its my first day of high school and how many wrist bands i can wear (i.e. brothers, iguanas, shag, etc) this guy and girl was bout like 25-30 years old, in a tshirt anc jeans...yanks hats ofcourse ready to talk with you about anything and everything. After a house brew of the bravest (the name of the beer, so good) and a brooklyn lager, i get ready for then night on the town...awesome..just awesome. We go to the east village to a bar called BOA's, a smaller bar but with a really attractive Punk rocker kind of girl who was just cool as heck and this dude that was originally from dallas but wanted to try out NYC for a year...so he opened a bar. After the girl, myself, my bro and the dude kept talking about school, aspirations, the taste of captain morgan as opposed to paint thinner...a random gal gets friendly with us and we proceed to go out on the night with her. Saturday, amidst the rain we went to McFaddens bar, a sports bar right by my bro's apt. I am decked out in husker red..becase thats right...i dont deviate my team. The bartender notices it and he throws on the game for us right away...that was awesome..only to find out that they were hanging notre dame shiz all over the walls as well. Oh well, we had a good talk and rant while NU won. We go out a bit later to this strip right by my bros in manhattan to a few places while my bro's friends meet up with us...the night gets going from there only for a few more cool females come up and talk with me (this never happens in NE). We hang out all night there and another place, they tell us to come back to there condo and we all hang out there and we leave around 4. Then Sunday was the US Open...and anyone who is anyone who loves sports should go without question. I have seen NBA games, baseballs games, and football...but the Open is amazing. With music entertainment all across the board, 1000's upon 1000's running around and just so lively there...its easily the best sports experience i have ever seen.

That was my account for what i did, but i want to now tell you about what i saw through my eyes and through NYC's essence. the most profound thing that i heard all weekend was when we were walking about the city, and i had passed by this indian dude hold this oriental girl's hand, black women holding white guys hands, hispanics with asians, middle easter with white.....i turn to my bro and i say "man, its so cool there are so many interracial relationships here....and he turns back and says "let me tell you something man, they aren't interracial relationships here...they are just relationships." That is going to stick with me forever amidst the coolness of the break dancers, the subway performers, or the like....its the widespread cultural and racial differences and the way people are together all the time there. It really opened me up to know that girls and guys in NE just dont get it...its not enough to be good looking or be at the cool parties or the cool bars and to get bombed on the weekend any more or to hang out with such and such any more...God created us equal and unique..and we owe to Him and to each other to learn from each other and to quit worrying about what click you are in or how its ok to be closed to the world. My previous judgements also of races came to the test when i saw how educated that City was....how Black people there don't overcompensate on there "nelly-ville life", how indians and hispanics don't just stick with themselves. It was refreshing to me that all walks of life on a subway were talking about the world, the news, Iran's uranium research, GWB's lack of common sense, as well as knowing all things of sport, art, life...in NE, sometimes i think there is husker football, there is ourselves and our own lifes, and then there is this little thing called planet earth we care not to be apart of because we think it will never reach us here. I vowed in my head that i was going to be more against the NE grain then ever before and i plan to hold true that...

Political Dribble...

This is a special side posting of something that i have recently seen in the news and what leads to a bigger issue for this country's current problems. Charles Barkley has been in several periodicals lately which deal with him as a possible candidtate for the office of Governor of Alabama, and while we have had people like Sen. Bill Bradley, other people of former entertainment industries seem to be always into holding public office (the governator, the body ventura, and prez reagan). This article is not meant to say "i think entertainers are idiots and shouldn't run", rather its to illustrate why they win, why most politicians win, and why its a huge issue both for America's growth to prosper and to catch up with some of the world. These people, along with most politicians who currently win do this by the all mighty dollar. Yes, campaign spending is so outrageous that I believe those that are looking for the best interest for the majority of Americans are not neccesarily being represented in there cities, states, and in congress. America has fallen victim to the "what can you do for me mentality" which having alot of money can easily sway voters into shifting those ballots one way or another. Money is just the first thing, also is success in a previous profession, however completely not pertaining to politics can get someone into office (see Tom Osborne...i love you Tom).

Since money is, to me, the main issue here why we are so backwards, i want to talk about this first. Great leaders is what MADE (not make) this country as to what it is..there stance on things and there leadership not only for us, but for the little guy is what made presidents, and other officials see that America was different. We aren't built off of the same mold anymore...some of it is smart business, but most of it is following the green and a few fake smiles that make your toes curl. I have had trouble refuting this in the past myself, but as you look at the office of president (minus clinton) in the last 30 years and then political races in the last 10 years (in nebraska especially) HE/SHE who threw the most mud usually wins. Personally the nelson vs. ricketts is quite possibly the most brutal show of this..and by show...thats what it is...a made for tv movie. We try and set up governemnts and "democracy" across the world, when I believe that democracy really doesn't even exist here. If we gave people the issues, held campaign spending to be based off on solely volunteer spending and a certain increment of one's salary...then I would believe we could make better decisions as a nation, or even just a township and subdue the iron fist of the dollar.

This is just a dream though. I know i am just a young and impetuous person who wants to see the most honest person, with the issues grabbing the majority, and genuine trust in what i believe in this person is doing as being right, just and respecting there decisions.....than being able to sell a major league baseball team and running all the way to the oval office. Now you know i told you he would be in line for more fodder in the future..but if wishy-washy was the new standard of politicians....where does he stand.....in scrooge mcduck's money bin...thats where.

the Excluesif: Volume 1 - Best Male Athlete EVER!

Stupidy seems to seep up from all crevices across the United States....i choose not to finish that sentence because i think i have already proved my notion that in America, when someone does something good...we jump the gun on them and are prepared to anoint them alot of things...case in point...GWB post 9/11 (don't worry, he will be fodder for many more rants). Today its going to be in the world of sports. Tiger Woods has just won the PGA championship scoring back to back majors (British Open) yet again. He took over on the second day of the event and closed it out flawlessly to clinch his 12th shield of his career with champagne, friends, family, and one very happy swedish meatball. As i lag into work this morning i do the first thing any gent of my age does...i go to yahoo sports and espn.com. Obviously he was going to be talk of the sports world, but i saw a very frustrating article titled "TIGER WOODS, BEST MALE ATHLETE EVER?" I was infuriated enough with this article that i chose to feed my ignorance and not read it, because i believe this question should not even be posed. Quickly, here is a definition of an athlete: A person possessing the natural or acquired traits, such as strength, agility, and endurance, that are necessary for physical exercise or sports, especially those performed in competitive contexts.

Tiger woods possesses the natural traits necessary to be good at golf, and he works diligently on his swing and his game, but an athlete...that is quite a stretch. He is in fine shape for a normal person without question, but an athlete..by definition....is someone that has certain traits, mainly strength, agility, and endurance that are necessary for physical excercise. What does tiger do...he hits a ball (which props to the son of a gun, i can't consistently do) and hands his club to his caddy who does the atheltic side of things in carrying the bag for 18 holes a day. "WAAAH, but Anandimus he really hits those hard puts and lays up nicely when in the rough!" shutup! the caddy also assists him in making those decisions, they barter about how to hit it without any real time constraint. A great golfer he is, but to be a great athlete, let alone the greatest of athletes in sports, they almost should be second to none...which..btw...he is second to the golden bear, Jack Nicklaus. Not to say that he has to have the most majors to be considered the greatest athlete ever...but i am not even sure currently he is the greatest golfer ever. It wasn't like michael jordan couldnt have hung around and been a 10 min mike and get to kareem's record, or that Pete Sampras stumbled upon 14 grand slams, or even Kristie friggin Yamagucchi ( i think zucchini when i spell her name ) couldnt have continued to amass world championships for skating...but all those players were dominant and have done something that no one else in there sports have done...has Tiger..the answer is simply no. To be like Mike you would have to win the most MVP trophies of anyone in the history of the NBA, to also win that award and the defensive player of the year award in the same year. To be the pistol, you would have to be number one in your sport for 6 straight years without letting ANYTHING get in your way going on to win the most majors of any tennis player on earth, also keeping up with nearly 2.5 generations of players and adapting rigerous training regiments and only 5 weeks off per year...mike would have had more...but we all know the competitor that he is and the work in the offseason he put in. Both those guys play golf now for relaxation, to kick back and enjoy a beer or hang out with buddies...because that is ultimately what Golf is to America.....its not athletic competetion as much as bowling is.....the only thing is there ain't nobody in the PBA can pull a girl like TIger's wife.

My point is that golf is great, and so is Tiger Woods, but unless Golf can really emulate 6 straight tour de frances, 14 grand slam tennis champinships....or even stick a triple axel...then calling any golfer the greatest athlete of all time.....well, i had to say it....its just plain stupid.

Anandimus...TRANSFORM! Arise the Excluesif

Welcome to AEFM....this is the fledgling..if you will the offspring of alot of different things going on in the world today...things that people my age (18-30) try not to think about because it isn't necessarily the popular thing to do or it might not be a segway to something you saw last night on Laguna Beach. This is going to be as real as it can be according to the jello-mold that teesatts and myself have been shaped from. I am codenamed: anandimus and i want to let everyone know that if my liberal NEO Christian ways and 'satt's roughin you up your membranes offend you...we apologize but we have come to respect who we are and what we do (although nacho eating and cd buying hardly constitutes as hobbies). We will represent ourselves with reality, however, this is meant to say what you feel and when you feel.

Now, each week i will bring to you my new column...the eXclUE-SIF!! This is something i want to write about the person in each of us...it might get to be as inner as my thoughts on the philosophical side of sex and what i think about it...or my outward stance on what Really irritates me about Bush and what we need to understand about other people in the world without the pop culture background...if you will.


Anyways thats that, and watch out for the inaugural eXclUE-SIF!! coming out later today....when i have less work to do at the jobby job.

Peace and God Bless

anandimus