On "doing your best"

On a similar topic as the last, but with a much more Non-Fictional Character:

It is no use saying, 'We are doing our best.' You have got to succeed in doing what is necessary. Winston Churchill

How is that for profound?

I'll be going to see my Nephew, Patrick B Ray, graduate high school in Austin, TX. For those of you who want to know more about this rising young star, just keep an eye on the papers... and maybe the sky. (Hint: He's going to go to Embry-Riddle and plans to become a pilot! Go Patrick!)

See you all in a couple days... ;)

"Do... or do not. There is no 'Try.'" Master Yoda

In honor of Star Wars finishing up with the release of the final movie: Star Wars - Revenge of the Sith, I have decided the first masterful thought to contemplate is the ever remembered one of Yoda.

For those who do not know about Yoda and Star Wars, Yoda was a little green guy, built like a slug, but had quasi-magical power that enabled him to do great things: sense feelings, read thoughts, move objects through telekinesis and more. One day, while training someone to use these powers, he gave the command to lift an object, to which the student replied,"Okay... I guess I'll try."

Needless to say, this upset Yoda. "No! Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try."

I know, you think this is silly. But stop for just one pickin' minute and think about it! How many times have you said,"I'll try" ... and then, what was the result?

Here are some possible results of "Try" :

1) "You gave it your best shot." Or did you? A person can set themselves up to fail, and have a justification for failure. You "tried" but didn't succeed? Now go back and be honest about the effort you put forth. You either DID put forth some effort, in which case if you fail you need more work. OR... you did NOT put forth good enough effort, and now you can lie to yourself and/or others. Why not set your mind to actually DOING something? Then, if it doesn't come about, you know without a doubt you need more practice, work, experience, etc.

2) People will often give in to Peer Pressure, giving something a "Try" knowing full well that the results lead to disaster. Teenagers will 'try' drugs' and become addicted or get killed. Or they will 'try' sex and end up with an unexpected pregnancy. Trying something for the sake of being able to say you did that 'something' is never excuse enough. Why not try putting a single bullet into a 6 chamber gun, spin the cylinder and put the gun to your head. Want to try pulling the trigger? How stupid is that?! And by they way: that was NOT a suggestion, so don't take me serious.

The point is: too many problems in this world are the result of people "trying" to do something. They like the thought of giving something a shot, but no desire to actually make it happen or follow through.

"To Try" is to set yourself up for a Trap. "Try" to save money, and you won't. "Try" to get a raise, and you won't. "Try" not to get caught... doing something you know is wrong? Huh!

So the next time you feel the urge to "try" something, ask yourself (and be honest) why you want to give that something a shot? It may not be something serious. Perhaps you want to try pistachio ice cream? Hey, fine. No worries. Just know FIRST why you are going down that road... and then be ready to accept what you find when you get there...

Thoughts worth thinking about: The Series

Greetings! Hope you all had a chance to make it out to the Celebration of the Arts last Saturday. If not, well, that's okay. My wife took a ton of pictures there, and I hope to post some on the web soon. If I knew more about computers, I would do that here. BUT... I'm stupid or something. eep!

Anyhow, moving right along...

Lately, this blog has become more of bullhorn against the negative I see in the world, and honestly, that wasn't my original intention. I have found that the more you focus on the negative, the more the negative becomes focused... and soon that is all you see.

In order to dig my way out of the mire of "the Truth" that I have found so scary, I decided to take on a more inspirational agenda.

Starting tomorrow, I intend to post a quote at least every other day. From books, from people, from songs... I've found over the years that there are certain phrases that just "stick." Thoughts such as these should be sipped, swirled, tasted, thought about and then swallowed... to make room to do it again. In the movie "Conan the Barbarian," James Earl Jones plays a character who thinks he's found the meaning of life or something... and tells it to Conan. He then commands Conan to," Ponder this... on the Tree of Woe." He then sentences Conan to tied up on a tree in the middle of nowhere to be left to die. Of course, he doesn't.

Anyhow, such profound thoughts such as Conan's "Riddle of Steel" are thoughts that need further review.

THESE are such thoughts that I will be posting in the future. Every other day, I will come here and post a thought, tell where it comes from, perhaps give a little backstory if needed and then briefly explain why I felt it was worthy of OUR time: the time that I take to write it here and the time you take to come here to read.

Some will agree that the things I bring attention to are worthy of further consideration. Others will think I'm being melodramatic. Well, I don't care either way. Some will always learn... some never will. It is my hope that everyone does learn something everyday. I know I try.

Anyhow, return again tomorrow and I'll kick this party off. And by all means... feel free to comment and join in on the discussion! I'm always open to hearing what others have to say.

Thanks!

On a lighter note: AIKIDO !!

On a lighter note than usual... Aikido of Midland will be putting on a demonstration this weekend at the Celebration of the Arts in Downtown Midland, Texas!

Beginning at 2:30pm on Saturday, May 21st, and running for 20 to 30 minutes, John Riggs Sensei and 4 or 5 of us students will be putting on a show demonstrating some of what Aikido is all about: locking and pinning of attackers, throwing opponents, weapons take-aways, weapons katas (learning forms) and much more.

We have a lot to pack in and a limited time to demonstrate, so be sure to be there! 2:30pm on Saturday, May 21st, 2005. We will either be on the tent stage just to the east of the courthouse, or on the grassy area between the courthouse and the civic center.

"Celebration of the Arts" is a fundraising event put on by the Arts Assembly of Midland every year and is jam-packed with fun things to see and do... for the whole family!

http://www.artsassemblyofmidland.org/coa.htm

And for info on just what Aikido is and why everyone in the world should join in the fun:

http://members.cox.net/aikidoc1/home.htm

See you Saturday!

Big Brother IS Watching You

Have you read the newspaper lately? Heard about the new "driver's license" that you'll be getting in 2008? Eh... Probably not. Not a big deal, really, except for a few things:

Current driver's licenses are run and overseen by the states.
The new one will be Federal.

Current requirements for obtaining a license are established by the states.
The new ones will be Federal.

Current driver's licenses are "State only" so only the state you live in will have your information.
The new ones, being Federal, will give all 50 states access to your information.

Current driver's licenses are considered your identification.
The news ones WILL be your NATIONAL I.D. card.

Here's a few other things you need to know about this subject:

1) Over 600 organizations were in opposition to the "Real ID" card, as it is called. Only 2 organizations ever endorsed it.

2) This "bill" passed the House of Representatives by being attached to a military funding bill that HAD to pass due to the urgent need in Iraq. The margin it won by was fairly large.

3) This "bill" passed the Senate... by 100%. Yes, all 100 Senators, our duly elected "representatives" all agreed on passing this bill.

4) This "bill" passed the Senate WITHOUT debate.

5) This "bill" passed the Senate WITHOUT going to committee.

6) This "bill" passed the Senate WITHOUT even being read out loud into the record.

Since when do Republicans, Democrats and Indepenedents all vote unanimously?

Never...

until now.

So what? Who cares? It's supposed to help protect us, right?

Well...

whenever you buy a gun and show your I.D., Uncle Sam will know everything

whenever you buy alcohol, tobacco, medication, airline tickets, Uncle Sam will know everything

whenever you bank in town, out of town, write a check, use your credit card, Uncle Sam will know everything

whenever you shop on-line, apply for credit, apply for a mortgage, Uncle Sam will know everything

whenever you test drive a car, go fishing, go hunting, attend a professional sports game, go to the store, go to the mall, eat out, hit the ATM, use your cell phone, Blackberry, laptop computer, watch t.v., and on... and on... and on... Uncle Sam KNOWS!

Think it's just a card? "Don't leave home without it," has just become CAN'T leave home without it.

Ever hear the newspaper tell you any of this? Think that's just a coincidence? Think again.

Be afraid. Be very afraid.

For further information:

http://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2005/05/real_id.html

Paying the Price for the Internet

"Unlimited Access to the Internet for only $40 a month!"

I used to think that was a deal. Cable internet, unlimited access to high-speed surfing of the world wide web. But the BILL for all of this new found "Freedom" has just come in and guess what? I don't think anyone can afford it.

FIRST: Internet Piracy

Whether it be "phishing," where they trick you out of your vital information, or "hacking" where crooks just break into your computer via the net and TAKE your information... the point is that your information is there and ripe for the picking. Social Security Number, Credit Information, Bank Information, PERSONAL Information... all of it is subject to the whimsy of unscrupulous people around the world. They could at least have the decency to show up with crow bar in hand to break in through a window, but nooooo... In the middle of the night, while we sleep, your money is wired through an ATM in "Solvania" or some such place... never to be seen again.

How do you prosecute that? You can't. Kiss it good-bye.

SECOND: Internet Espionage

Through spy-ware and viruses and God only knows whatelse, companies around the world watch, wait and listen to your every key-stroke to see what products you are interested in, why and work on ways to manipulate that into a profit. Surf on Amazon.com much? "They" want to know why, what do you buy, look for, need... then get out there and market it straight to you via Spam or other means. And this is the tip of the iceberg. Who's to say that someone can't hack in to your computer and check out your room via that dinky little camera on your monitor? of listen in on your conversations that you have via a headset and internet game?

Spying on US isn't the half of it. I'm barely cracking the book on things people haven't even thought of yet... things to take advantage of Joe Public: Me and You.

THIRD: FREEDOM SUBJUGATION

According to the New York Times, May 3, 2005:

Congress is moving quickly toward setting strict rules on how states issue driver's licenses, requiring them to verify whether each applicant for a new license or a renewal is in this country legally.

A House and Senate conference now taking place has included the requirements, which apply to all 50 states and other jurisdictions that issue licenses, in a supplemental appropriations bill for Iraq, aides involved in the process said on Monday. The draft legislation will be completed in the next few days and is all but certain to pass.

In plain english,"National Driver's License." States would no longer have a choice on how testing for driver's licenses would be done; the federal government would decide. "So, what's the big deal?" Thanks for asking. The big deal is: National Archive on every man, woman and child in the United States.

Through the implementation of a National Driver's License program, everyone that drives in the United States would be on record, accessible via any and every police organization in the nation. IF THIS IS NOT ABUSED, then it can be a good thing. Child molesters on the run can be more easily identified and found. Criminals will be easier to identify. Parents that "steal" their own kids and move to another state will be found easily. The list knows no end.

But see the problem? If this is NOT abused... but it would be very easy to. Journalists meeting with secret sources can be tracked easily and sources can be found out. Slip a little GPS chip into a National Driver's License, and you know exactly... EXACTLY where everyone in the U.S. is. Sure, you can leave your license at home, but if you get pulled over... you could become suspect of foul play and then investigated.

You think I'm joking?
You think this is too Orwellian?
You think this whole thing is a bit off the mark and over-exaggerated?

Well, I hope your right. And granted, I do have the flu and am taking about 6 to 10 different things for it (cough drops included). But... wouldn't you rather be on the look out for such ideas, and never see them come about, than to never suspect such things and become a victim???

Discuss.