PROJECT CARPE DIEM

:[People] seem to be getting dumber and dumber. I mean we have all this amazing technology and yet computers have turned into basically four figure wank machines. The Internet was supposed to set us free, democratize us, but all it’s really given us is Howard Dean’s aborted candidacy and 24-hour a day access to kiddie porn, you know. And people don’t write anymore, they blog; instead of talking, they text; no punctuation, no grammar. LOL this and LMFAO that. You know it just seems to me that it’s just a bunch of stupid people psuedo-communicating with a bunch of other stupid people in a proto-language that resembles more what cavemen used to speak than the king’s English.   – David Duchovny, Californication

I used to remember them, there were many of them and I added to them in rapid succession when I graduated to high school.  Now, I’m hard pressed to even remember my own.   Who am I?  (Jeopardy theme) Okay Alex, can I get “telephone numbers” for five hundred?  Social networking is the way of the future and it seems that everyone is and has been aboard for many years (including myself).  Is this wave of communication a good or bad thing?  I could give you my opinion, but it’s clearly biased, even with me indulging in it.

Shameless self promotion and narcissism, that’s why I love the Facebooks, Linkedins, Twitters, BBMs and WordPresses of the world.  Where else can you spread your opinion and thoughts over cyberspace quicker?  I’ve met many folks through my social networking avenues and it’s been an education for me.  I remember the days when I shunned Facebook and insulted those who chose to take part in such a foolish pastime.  Now, I avidly use Twitter and view “the Facebook” at least thrice a day.  Ask me how often I get to have a good conversation with a person in the flesh takes place.  The answer would astonish you.  The fact that I love face to face conversation and haven’t indulged in one in some time says a lot of my habits with the social networking giant.

Pat Burns was not deceased, Ashley Anne Kirilow didn’t have cancer, that BBM contact was using that woman to enjoy a gangbang, unbeknowst to her.  These are some of the pitfals that arise from such a speedy information influx.  Things get reported incorrectly, money is lost and jokes are taken as serious.  People often hide behind the tools constructed to help achieve openness with the outside world.

My take is as follows, I enjoy Twitter and BBM, they allow me to entertain, promote and display my thoughts openly with a larger audience.  I do not, however, like the social aspect of life being removed for the sake of networking.  I believe it’s still important to be mannerly, polite and speak to people face to face.  There’s a reason most children either go to school rather than getting home schooled, the social aspect is invaluable.

This or that,

C.D.Que

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0eiRmyx-YE&feature=fvst  Trey Songz, LOL Smiley face

“[accepting the George S. Halas award] I’d like to tell you about a guy I know, a friend of mine. His name is Brian Piccolo. And he has the heart of a giant, and that rare form of courage that allows him to kid himself and his opponent, cancer. He has a mental attitude that makes me proud to have a friend who spells out the world ‘courage,’ 24 hours a day, every day of his life. Now you honor me by giving me this award. But I say to you here now Brian Piccolo is the man who deserves the George S. Halas award. It is mine tonight… and Brian Piccolo’s tomorrow.”. – Billy Dee Williams, Brian’s Song

“Yo, Soman! I can eat your Jamaican food, my grandma is black”. I didn’t believe him all these years, until Cheryl (his mom) verified the story. What can I say about one of my oldest and closest friends that hasn’t been said. On the anniversary of his death, I think back to our first encounter and what a jerk he was.

You see, Brandon knew I couldn’t skate and he constantly would throw me to the ice, then spray me. Nice guy, huh? Hee hee, we gained a mutual respect for eachother in grade four after I lost to him emphatically in fistacuffs. He was a cocky guy back then, he’d parade around with his short-long. I smile now thinking about his bravado.

Through the years we drifted apart, but still kept in touch periodically. He was a bright guy, a entrepreneur and a loyal dude. There’s nothing under the sun I couldn’t ask or talk to him about. I was fortunate enough to party with him a month before his passing. I always had a regret I didn’t share with him and it bothers me to this day. I’m going to get it off my chest now.

We were playing ball @ Glen Stewart, as per usual. Brandon and I fashioned ourselves a young Karl Malone and John Stockton. A local boy who lived nearby decided to try and rob Brandon. He said “no” and didn’t allow him to take his property and rightly so. That day Brandon got roughed up by the bully while his friends and more importantly, me, just watched. I’ve never lived that day down and although I was eleven years old at the time, I handled myself cowardly. I apologize for that, it was a life lesson and I vehemently back my friends based on the events of that day. I’m sorry, bro and I never mentioned it while you were here.

You mean the world to me, homie
C.D.Que

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9arW0BT40_o Eddie Vedder, Goodbye

“To my son, the writer, something I never said too much. I love you! My father never said it much either and I thought I’d be different, but I guess I’m not…that’s the thing, boys become men and men become husbands and fathers and we do the best we can, you’re doing the best you can. You’ve done good. Your books will be in libraries long after we’re both gone and this is important”. – Mark Margolis, Californication

The boy I was, adult I became and the man I’m growing to be, can all be attributed to lessons you’ve imparted. My father, my hero and friend. During my youth, I tested your limits and patience became a daily exercise for you.

I searched for songs and quotes pertaining to good fathers and almost found nothing worth using. This further proved to me how important you are, you stuck around and shelved your dreams to become a mentor & father, when so many others would have ran. This is something that is now ingrained in me and with so many fatherless children roaming around, I thank God that “insufficient daddying” wasn’t a detriment to me.

I find it funny, that as I get older, I also get to watch you mature and become more well rounded and relaxed. Watching you interact with your grandchildren and the happiness it brings them, takes me back. It reminds me of Ray Oak and riding my bike with you watching nearby. My first comic book, you bought it for me (Storm, Spider-Man & Beast on the cover). The talks we had when I was to immature to comprehend the full scope of your words.

There are many things I’d like to express, but the most important thing I’d like to say is “I love you”. I love you for who you are and what you’ve made me.

Happy Birthday Dad

Carpe Diem Que

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCQVnSOFqfM, Cat Stevens