Above Popular: it's your decision

Help me win a school competition: Download my iPhone app for free

2009-03-27T21:45:00.001-06:00

Hey everyone,

This is totally unsolicited, I know. But I've gotta spread the word. My friends and I entered an iPhone app development competition hosted at BYU by Omniture. Our entry in the competition is called March Mayhem and it's available for free in the App Store. The app gives you live scores, news, and bracket info for March Madness right on your iPhone or iPod Touch. Applications are judged by how many unique users they have over two weeks, ending next Sunday.

How you can help: Download the application "March Mayhem" here: http://tinyurl.com/marchmayhemapp

Then just open the app (while connected to the internet) periodically during the next two weeks.

I would appreciate all of your help. If you don't have an iPhone or iPod Touch (I don't blame you, they're expensive), tell your friends who do! Please spread the word!

Download link: http://tinyurl.com/marchmayhemapp

Website link: http://www.marchmayhemapp.com

Twitter link: http://twitter.com/marchmayhemapp

Thanks!

Mark

Blurt Daily: because we're so frustrated

2008-11-24T07:24:00.002-07:00

A new political blog/site is launching today. It's called Blurt Daily. It's going live today with a post about politics and rock and roll. Would you please follow the link to digg.com and "digg" the post? Then continue onto the site and read it for yourself. Trying to spread the word about the new site. I imagine many of you will find it interesting.

Politics and Rock and Roll:Why do musicians flock to socialist politicians when rock and roll is all about less control and more freedom to do it yourself (DIY)? Politics has a marketing problem.

digg story | read more

Proposition 8: McCain says Yes, Obama says Yes

2008-09-29T09:11:00.003-06:00

This morning I received an email from Yes on Prop 8 announcing the new TV commercial. I watched the video and then hopped on YouTube where I found a bunch of other videos. I wanted to pass on links to the videos so you can check them out for yourself if you want.

Yes on Prop 8 Commerical. They've raised $8 million so far, but are looking to raise another $3.6 million to finish development of more commercials and buy airtime for them. They don't have deep pockets like Brad Pitt, who donated to No on Prop 8.
https://www.icontribute.us/protectmarriage/initiative/firstademail

Newt Gingrich compares the judges who overturned Prop 22 to the judges our founding fathers fought against in the 1700s. "Taxation without representation." We're fighting it again, but this time within our country.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73Q4V8WNF6k

Colorado video: Obama says he will repeal the Defense on Marriage Act if elected president. Thanks, man. I appreciate you and others who feel that the majority vote isn't important enough to support.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2f-P4RVDMe0&NR=1

McCain goes on Ellen and defends marriage. He is respectful, but doesn't back down.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7addd1-SY8

"Men in Black." No, it ain't Will Smith.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpDCRE-zJu8

TOTALLY joey LDS-style video about Yes on Prop 8. Janice Kapp Perry
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1GRQGc5GQ0

For those of you living in California, get out there and vote. For those of you not in California, spread the word and encourage those you know in California to get out and vote.

But where will I get my tan?

2008-06-18T00:50:00.007-06:00

John McCain spoke in Houston today about his plans on energy and reducing our dependency on foreign oil. I found what he said to be reasonable and a good start for the major problem we have.

As expected, Democrats came back with criticism, because...that's what you do in politics. I welcome criticism if it actually has substance. However, this time around, they were complaining just for the sake of complaining. Here's what they said:

"Rather than offering consumers real relief from skyrocketing energy prices, Sen. McCain's plan would merely pad Big Oil's bottom line while putting thousands of miles of pristine beaches and coastline at risk," Sierra Club president Carl Pope said.

Yes, please...let's protect the pristine beaches where only the wealthy can afford homes, while Mrs. Clarke in Detroit foots the bill at the gas pump. Come on. If you're going to argue, have a valid point. If not, accept the fact that people in a different political party can actually come up with a good idea. (By the way, McCain's speech addressed this, stating that the apparent "risk" to beaches has proven to be much lower than it has been in the past.) And really, though, that argument is pretty dang shallow. You care more about a beach than helping millions of Americans stave off a recession? Do Democrats care more about people or pristine beaches?

Poverty is a result of attitude, not colonization

2008-06-05T09:20:00.005-06:00

Africa needs to stop blaming colonization for it´s problems. Sure, bad things happened in the past. Well...get over it and improve your future.

Armando Guebuza, President of Mozambique, said exactly that at a conference in Tanzania yesterday. Here´s the full article. I´m glad to see that he has that attitude. He wants to build technical schools throughout Mozambique to give citizens a skill that can help build the country. However, before anything remarkable can happen, Africans everywhere need a "change of attitude."

Read the whole article for yourself, it's inspiring:

http://allafrica.com/stories/200806040900.html

The Bubble is Bigger than I Thought

2008-02-24T12:36:00.000-07:00

I currently attend a top ranked business school. Our accounting program is ranked #2 nationally and our MBA program was just ranked #1 for Regional Schools and #2 for Emphasis on Ethics by the Wall Street Journal. We've received plenty of praise and recognition over the years and continue to expand our school both in class sizes and physical size. Sounds like we've got everything figured out, right? Ummm...if you consider blatant racial slams as good things, then yes...we're firing on all cylinders.

I'm referring to two comments made in a Project Management class I have. Let me give you the two incidents and then I'll tell why they're so disturbing to me.

Incident #1

The first one was made while talking about our professor's experience when he studied accounting in Mexico. Our professor said, "Upon returning to the States, I found that Mexican accounting differed greatly from US accounting." A student in the front row blurted out, "Yeah. No more five finger discounts."

Incident #2

We were discussing task duration estimates when creating a project schedule. A student (from Mexico) asked the question, "What happens when people lie about the time it will take them." To which a different student in the front row responded, "Juan, we're not in Mexico."

What? Where did those comments come from? Now I'd like to tell you a bit about the two students who made those comments. Both are white males in their mid to late 20's. Both likely served "missions" for our Church, probably to a foreign country. And last of all, both are MBA students at our school which is, again, ranked #2 for "Emphasis on Ethics."

So, it's not so much the content of the comments that has me flabbergasted, it's the setting in which they were made that astounds me. Here we are, a school that teaches tolerance, a school where students speak over 40 different languages, and our students are making ignorant racial comments like this in class?! How can they get away with it?

Simple. We live in a bubble. This school is predominantly one religion and one race. All those "different languages" are spoken by American students who served religious missions abroad. If you look at the dominant race, we're almost all white. Our culture here is non-confrontational, so even if people were extremely pissed about what they said, they'd never do anything about it. Take those two students and put them in a class at UCLA. They would have been torn to shreds! Man, these two guys are in for a rude awakening when they get out of the bubble here.

If you look beyond the campus, you won't find much hope. Recently one of our state senators made a stupid remark that was perceived as racist. While debating an education bill, Senator Chris Buttars commented, "This baby is black, I'll tell you. This is a dark, ugly thing." .... ..... To make things worse, he agreed to meet with the NAACP to smooth things over, but when they called the press to be at the meeting, Buttars stood them up. Oh that's real smart. Slam a person's racial background, and then skip out on their organizational leaders. Why don't you call up one of your old girlfriends, ask her out on a makeup date, and then have one of your buddies show up in your place and throw a pie in her face.

For an example of how to do this, see the following clip from Never Been Kissed. Start the clip at 2:45.

Sidenote: The guy from the NAACP said something ludicrous as well. (Luda!) Someone made a remark about "lynchings." The guy said, "He doesn't know anything about lynchings. We know about real lynchings." Ummmm....every black person I've ever met (and I lived in Africa for two years) knows just as much about lynching as I do...that it's wrong and is something we read about in history books.

Back from the sidenote, it sucks that we demand a high standard from our aspiring students and yet they have idiotic examples running the government. Chris Buttars is running for reelection, by the way. I've heard this isn't his first time embarrassing his state.

I sincerely hope that the other MBA students at our school have more class than these three. If not, then our program is in for some real problems.

Mitt Romney for President, John McCain for Advisor

2008-02-02T11:23:00.000-07:00

You are an employer looking to fill a managerial position. This position is very important and has a long list of required skills the applicant needs to have. The job description changes depending on the work environment as it stands now and as it will stand in the near future. The description you post is as follows:

Understand the economy and improve it
Deal with immigration issues
Secure lives against radical Islamic attacks
Balance an out-of-control budget
Fire counter-productive employees who do more harm than good
Protect the company's reputation, especially regarding war

After writing these requirements down, you list the most important one.

Must possess leadership experience and be able to take counsel from advisers

That last skill is the key. That is why Mitt Romney makes a far better president than John McCain. They each have their strong points in the skills listed above. However, when Mitt Romney falls short in areas like terrorism, he knows how to listen to advisers. He has vast experience looking at the facts, listening to educated opinions, and then making a sound decision to move forward.

He doesn't need to know everything, he just needs to know where to find out the right information.

John McCain always touts how much he knows about dealing with terrorists. However, he never talks about the economy (until recently), because it's not his strong area. He's never had any executive experience, either, so his track record of seeking counsel from advisers is unproven in the real world.

What do we do then? Both of these men should end up in the White House, just in different roles.

As an employer, I would hire Mitt Romney on the spot. He has the experience and, where he lacks, knows where to seek advice.

As for John McCain, I wouldn't turn him away. I would offer him a position in the cabinet. Since his greatest quality is dealing with terrorists, let's stick him in an advisory role dealing with homeland security.

I don't know why Republicans all over America aren't grasping this concept. They are both great men. One does have a better on-screen presence (McCain). However, when it comes to filling the position with a qualified individual, Romney is the hands-down winner.

On Super Tuesday, vote for Mitt Romney. Don't cast your vote for John McCain. Put Mitt Romney in the Oval Office and he will assemble a team of all-stars that fill in his gaps. (Captain Planet comes to mind. "Wind....water....earth...." Okay...earth was always the lamest element. They should have picked a cooler one, like "Lava.")

Please, pass this story along to your friends, put it on your blog, post it on Facebook, digg it, email it, forward it...everything. I want to get this message out there!

A humble tribute to President Gordon B. Hinckley

2008-01-27T21:14:00.000-07:00

President Gordon B. Hinckley of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints passed away tonight. You know, ever since I started this blog, I have tried to keep my religion out of my posts. I didn't want people to get a bias towards what I saw based off the fact that I'm Mormon. I'm not embarrassed of my religion...no, not one bit. However, I chose not to pass my writings through the "religious filter" so they would be received in a more pure form.

Tonight this news is bittersweet. It is sad to see him go, because he has been such a big part of my life, but it's also great that he will be reunited with his wife again. That being said, here is my small, humble tribute to a great man.

What I remember about President Gordon B. Hinckley

Here are some of the major accomplishments that I can remember he did he his life:
1. Traveled the globe, well into his 90's, visiting members of the Church and non-members alike.
2. He "built" and dedicated a majority of the Temples on the earth today.
3. Every six months he got up during the General Conference of the Church and told the members how well they were doing at living the gospel, and then told them ways that they can improve. "We're are doing great, but we can always do better."
4. Laughed...all the time. He always found a way to smile and laugh.
5. Established the "Perpetual Education Fund" which helps lower income individuals take out small loans for college or trade school.
6. In 2000 when horrible floods ravished Mozambique, he called in helicopters to go save a woman who gave birth in a tree. The people of Mozambique still talk about that baby today. "Bebe Maria"

Some of my favorite talks he gave:
1. Loyalty
2. Respect women
3. A Tragic Evil Among Us (Pornography)
4. Slow to Anger

He gave many more great talks in his decades of service. If you don't know much about him, or you think he was a polygamous leader of a cult, head on over to Wikipedia to learn a bit about his long life of service. It doesn't matter what religion you are, he is a man who has left a big impression on the world.

Wikipedia: Gordon Hinckley

I love you, President Hinckley. Thank you for all that you did for us. God bless our prophet dear.

Do you know where Turkmenistan is?

2007-09-27T22:45:00.001-06:00

I can't believe this girl! She is the daughter of one of my friends and knows more countries than the average American.

Get the crunk off the radio. Your Hip-Hop is dead and it reeketh

2007-08-23T07:37:00.000-06:00

I'm a DJ and have been bumpin' hip-hop on my system for over a decade. Along with the tight beats and sick licks, I pay close attention to the lyrics. I don't just focus on expletives in attempts to keep school dances clean, but I look for words that have meaning and feeling. 2pac, Jurassic 5, Eminem, and Mos Def are a few artists who put out songs for years that fit the bill. However, in the last few years, something as happened. Hip-hop music died.

Flipping on your local hip-hop station today, you won't hear these artists anymore. You're greeted with flat beats, uninspiring licks, and unintelligible, repetitive lyrics. WTF? Why is it that every song feels that it needs to repeat the same phrase 8 times in the chorus. "Party like a rock star, party like a rock star, party like a rock star..." Or they try to sound like they don't even know how to speak English. "U ain't fresh as I'm iz." Ummm....what the freak? I know what you're trying to say, but does that really make you sound cool? And...does that do anything for the intelligence of the person listening? Shop Boyz, Bow Wow, T-Pain, Dem Franchize Boyz, Lil Jon. I can't believe that we actually know these names. What does it take to make a hip-hop hit, a name? Because they aren't brining anything else to the game. You know that millions of high school students think that the word "ludicrous" is spelled l-u-d-a-c-r-i-s?

Let me give you an example, within the same song, of the difference between the caliber of these rappers. This is a song that came out clear back in 2002 when this new generation of rappers was just getting started. It's the 50 Cent song "Patiently Waiting" featuring Eminem. The stark contrast of Em's unique blend of lyrics and rhythm and Fiddy's lack of talent is clearly apparent as you listen here:

After Eminem's verse, Fiddy sounds like he can't even get the lyrics out of his mouth. I picture him flipping his lips with his finger, "Duh, duh duh......I'm...uh...gonna leave you like...uh...a Michael Jackson jacket....with...uh...all them zippers."

When hip-hop first came out, it had passion. NWA, Ice-T. Typical subjects were life in the projects and searching for something greater in life. Of course, every rapper made at least one song talking about why they were the best, but most of their stuff had meaning to it. Nowadays, rappers lead pointless lives, so all they have to rap about are sex, clubs, drinks, and drugs. How many songs are we going to hear about some thug going to a club, scamming on some hoes, and getting laid? Turn on a hip-hop station right now and I bet within 30 seconds you'll hear a reference to any or all of those.

We need writers
Consider these lyrics taken from songs by two current artists:

Chingy - Dem Jeans

Damn Girl
How'd you get all that in
Dem Jeans
Dem Jeans
How'd you get all that in Dem
Damn Girl
How'd you get all that
(Is you talkin to me?)
Yeah you
I bet you had to jump up and down
Just to put 'em on
Bet you had to wiggle it around
Just to put 'em on
Bet you had to lay back on the bed
Just to zip 'em up
Am I right?
(You right)
Baby thats whats up

Jurassic 5 - Quality Control

Ayo my quality control, captivates your party patrol
Your mind, body, and soul
For whom the bell tolls, let the rhythm explode
Big, bad, and bold b-boys of old
Many styles we hold, let the story be told
Whether platinum or gold, we use breath control
So let the beat unfold, intro on drum roll
We be the Lik like E, Tash, and J-Ro
We harass niggas like we was the po-po
We can rule the world without Kurtis and still Blow
Finesse, from SP to Casio
Your jams ain't def, you ain't fresh, you're so-so
If you don't know us by now you'll never know
You set that mood when we groove and prove a show
The name of the game is survive and prove your flow
You can't out take Jurassic syllable
Cause it's survival of professional radio
Stop and comprehend and heed the words of my pen
Survival of professional poetical Highlanders
(Soup, you plan on rocking something fierce?) Oh, am I

One song...written by a 1st grader. The other...a lyrical masterpiece. Okay...I don't want to give a 1st grader that much credit, I'll change that to, "Written by a 1st grade dropout." Why did first song garner hours of airplay while the latter was forced out to the iPods and turntables of the underground? Payola? Lack of talent in the industry? What gives?

So, I'm calling out hip-hop. Put something better up on the radio. You're making my life a living hell as a DJ. I go to these dances and, all night, fight off requests for Dem Franchize Boyz, Chingy, Lil Jon, Bow Wow, and others. I mix in as much good hip-hop as possible, but kids these days only like what they hear on the radio. So, come on... givit tah me.

If you are looking for hip-hop music during these "dark ages", here is a list of good artists with excellent music, and then a list of artists that need to crunk off.

Good Hip-Hop
Jurassic 5
Fort Minor
Hieroglyphics
Blackalicious
Kanye West
Talib Kweli
Mos Def
Dilated Peoples
De La Soul
A Tribe Called Quest / Q-Tip
Will.i.am
Black Eyed Peas
Common
MF Doom
Del Tha Funkee Homosapien
Deux Process
Fugees
Ozomatli
The Roots
Wu-Tang Clan
2pac

Crunk Off
Lil Jon
50 Cent
Jermaine Dupri
T-Pain
Ludacris
Dem Franchize Boyz
Chingy
J-Kwon
Shop Boyz
Akon (along with his computerized voice)
Bow Wow
...So many more, but I don't even know their names cause I switch the radio so fast

Neither of these lists are by all means complete. If you have more names to add to either of them, please leave the them in the comments. I'm always looking for more good hip-hop.

Oh...and please nobody go and shoot Fiddy or T-Pain. I'd hate to see them immortalized next to 2pac and Biggie.

Beatboxing flute inspector gadget remix

2007-08-21T17:57:00.001-06:00

This American's got talent. Holy cow...coolest thing I've ever seen.

Happiness is up to you, struggles make you stronger

2007-08-13T22:30:00.000-06:00

"Happiness does not depend on what happens outside of you, but on what happens inside of you. It is measured by the spirit with which you meet the problems of life." - Harold B. Lee

This is a much better way of saying, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." Today is your day. This life is meant to be hard. It is through our struggles and hardships that we learn and grow. Think of a time you went through something difficult. Now think of the lessons you learned from you. Sure you wouldn't want to go through it again, but would you like to give up the important gems you learned? Next time you're stuck in a touch spot, look for the lessons that you can learn from it. This will help you get a positive outlook on the situation and it will completely change the whole situation. The details might not change, but your attitude will, and that's the biggest aspect.

This life is yours and no one else's. You are the one who decides whether you will be happy or sad. Don't sit around waiting for others to do that for you. Here are some ideas of what you can do:

Treat everyday like a special occasion

Specifically look for one thing you can do for someone everyday

Turn off the iPod and TV for some quiet meditation time

Take up a hobby. Life can't be all about work. Pick a hobby where you work towards something.

Make a phone call, write a letter, or send an email to a friend or family member.

Go after a dream.

This list could go on, but hopefully I was able to get you started. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't, because you can.

Bonds Homered, They Boo'ed

2007-08-08T21:08:00.000-06:00

We went to the Rockies game last night and had a great time. The Rockies broke out in the 6th inning scoring 5 runs. Everything was going fine until the 9th inning when they played Barry Bonds' historic 756th home run on the jumbo tron. I was completely shocked that the entire stadium boo'ed at the screen. They boo'ed?! Okay, I understand if you don't like the guy because he's a jerk to the press and is suspected of steroids. However...the man just accomplished a great feat! Let's show good sportsmanship about the whole thing. I would like to know how many of the fans in the stadium could even do half of what he did? If you are a baseball fan, you just witnessed history...and for that, you should not be boo'ing. Let's give the guys some credit.

Barry Bonds, no matter how many steroids he's taken, is one of the best hitters in baseball. His timing, the way he turns on a pitch, his placement...he's a great hitter. Steroids would help him hit it farther, but he's just as dangerous hitting to other areas of the field as well. I personally don't think too highly of his steroid issues or run-ins with the press, but one thing is for sure...he just accomplished something great, and I can't believe a stadium full of baseball stands would be so childish as to boo.

New Greener iMac

2007-08-07T13:12:00.000-06:00

Apple released the new iMac today! It sports a sleek new design, which hadn't been updated in three years. It is made out of aluminum and glass and comes in 20" and 24" models.

A few things I found humorous on the iMac page show how joey Apple is:

"The use of recyclable glass and aluminum makes iMac friendlier to the environment, too." They have been scrutinized for their green practices, or lack thereof.

"With iMac, details make all the difference. For example, because it’s made from a single sheet of aluminum, you won’t see any seams or screws except for a single compartment on the bottom that provides easy access to the memory slots."

Apple is trying hard to make itself greener (environmentally friendly, for those of you still living under a rock). They are changing ways they handle waste products and promoting new, safer materials in their products. Kudos to Apple for joining the rest of the world. If Apple and Google plan to take over the world, they need to be green so they doesn't destroy it.

My favorite part of the page is this comparison pic with a comparable Dell tower.

Apple also updated iLife and iWork. You can check it all out here, Apple's newest stuff.

The Porn Myth

2007-08-05T14:15:00.001-06:00

This is great food for thought witten by a woman who travels around to college campuses interviewing with young men and women. Is porn affecting us? Is it simply a religious debate?

The Porn Myth

My Own War on Porn, Supporting CP80

2007-07-15T08:25:00.001-06:00

Last Sunday morning, my wife woke me up around 3:00am and told me about a nightmare she had. Let's put it this way, it was not a very good one at all. She then told me about a friend she had in high school (in real life) who was a good girl that never messed around with boys or drank alcohol. Then one night she went to a party, got slipped a rufy, and was raped by several boys at the party. After that she didn't care about her modesty anymore because, "What's the point?"

Well, I couldn't fall asleep after that. My mind was racing around trying to figure out why so many bad things happen in the world and if I have any chance of helping to stop them. I thought about my baby girl who is due to be born in a month and how I would be devastated if she came home with a story like that about herself! I asked myself, "How does a guy get to the point where he slips a girl a drug and rapes her? It's not like he just wakes up one day and decides to do it. It is a weakening of his self control that happens overtime." So...how does that weakening happen? The biggest and most common way: pornography.

Pornography is so easily accessible on the internet that even a child can find it. Its addictive nature springs upon unsuspecting minors and traps them before they even know what's happening. What starts as natural curiosity turns into a binding addiction that leads its victim to do things they normally wouldn't do: rape, theft, adultery. Studies have found that a majority of criminals in jail say they started off with a pornography problem. Once you weaken your self-control in that department, it's hard to control it elsewhere in your life.

Something needs to be done. If I had my way, pornography would be completely obliterated from off the face of the planet. However, we have an inspired document named "The Bill of Rights" that gives use certain rights that I completely believe in, namely the Freedom of Speech. So, we can't just nuke the porn building and call it even. We need to protect those guys' Freedom of Speech while protecting our children's Freedom of Not Being Manhandled by an Addictive Substance When We're Not Expecting It.

There is a solution. CP80.

I've talked about it on here before, so I won't go into details. You can read my previous post about it here: http://abovepopular.blogspot.com/2007/02/pornography-meet-internet-channels.html. As I laid in bed last Sunday morning struggling with this problem, I decided that the first thing I need to do is take action! The world won't be a better place if I sit back and do nothing. I'd like to say that again.

The world won't be a better place if I sit back and do nothing.

I made a list of things that I can do to aid this worthy cause. I would like to take on the pornographers personally, but for one person, that's too big of a task. I need to band myself together with others. That is why supporting CP80 is so critical. It is a group of people who collectively can contain the fire within reasonable boundaries, thus keeping it from consuming our rising generation.

Here is the list of simple things I came up with early that morning that I can do from my very own home to take action and give support to CP80:

Write my senators, representative, and governor about CP80

Call my senators, representative, and governor on the phone. It sounds lofty, but worth a try. Even if I don't make it, I'll go through plenty of secretaries and get a chance to tell them about CP80.

Write about CP80 on message boards where people are struggling with this problem. My wife frequently visits the message boards on BabyCenter and sees posts from women who have husbands addicted to pornography. These women are pregnant, and many of them feeling bad about their self-image right now, and here are their husbands looking at pornography. What's the response they get? "Oh it's okay. That's just how men are. Learn to live with it." No! I would like to spread the word to these poor wives and girlfriends that help is out there and they don't have to put up with having their significant other "virtually" cheating on them.

Make a website all about how I support CP80 and the fight against pornography. I guess I've already done that to some extent with this blog. But, maybe make something like IsupportCP80.com.

Write a letter-to-the-editor about this topic and send it to all the major newspapers around the country.

Contact large companies and talk to their HR and IT departments about how much money, time, and resources CP80 will save them. Corporate America must put its money behind this if it's going to have a chance. We live it a country driven by capitalism.

If we want our country, whichever country it may be, to be a safe place for our children, we need to rise up and make sure that the right actions are being made towards that goal. If not, we will wake up one day and be devastated with the world which we live in.

Learn more about CP80 here and how you can help fight in "The People's War on Internet Porn." Also check out the DVD of Traffic Control, a extremely well-made documentary about this war and CP80.

Gettysburg Address

2007-07-04T09:15:00.000-06:00

When I was little, all our cousins would travel to our house in southern California to celebrate the Nation's birthday. My mom made large posters that contained the words of historical patriotic speeches (e.g. Gettysburg Address, Declaration of Indepence, Preamble to the Constitution, Patrick Henry) and posted them around the house in the morning. Then we had all day to memorize as many as we could for recital later on. That night we would have a large shrimp boil and recite the speeches we had memorized. My mom had various prizes for us based on the number we knew, 1 - Candy Bar, 2- King Size Candy Bar, 3 - Gift Card to fast food, 4 - One grab in the money jar (with quarters, dimes, and nickels), 5 or more - two grabs in the money jar. The prizes varied year by year, but the money grab was always the big one we looked forward to.

So do you have any speeches memorized? Do you know anything about the Gettysburg Address? On this day of celebration, we should all take some time to remember how our nation was founded. I think we lose sight of that more and more as the years go on.

Here is one for you to memorize. I think you'll be suprised that most of these things aren't very long.

Gettysburg Address

"Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

Back From the Dead. Now I launch rockets!

2007-06-28T20:02:00.000-06:00

Hello everyone! Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers about me while I was recovering. My life has been extremely crazy this whole month. My wife is 7 months pregnant, I was taking the equivilent of 17 credits in college, recovering from surgery, and preparing for our summer move to Colrado as I took an internship.

Well, I finished the school term, have recovered mostly from my surgery, and am now in Colorado. My wife still had one week left of work, so she is joining me out here on Saturday morning. (I can't wait to see her! And her pregnant belly. :-) I'm working for United Launch Alliance (http://www.ulalaunch.com) which is a new partnership formed by Boeing and Lockheed Martin. The two companies took their rocket divisions and merged them together to form a new company with over 100 years experience in manufacturing and launching rockets! I started this week and am excited to really dive into my job next week. (This week was spent getting my computer and accounts all set up so I could work.)

Don't think I've been taking a break from my blog this whole time, though. I've been brewing lots of topics in my mind while I was down and out and will start bringing them to you. So be sure to start checking back often as "Above Popular" is back in business.

Down and Out

2007-06-10T21:50:00.000-06:00

I've disappeared from the blogging scene for a little bit due to a surgery I just underwent. I had a deviated septum and the recovery has had it's ups and downs. Hopefully I can get back to blogging regularly soon.

Week of Lyrics, Day 7: Unwritten Law "Save Me"

2007-06-02T10:28:00.000-06:00

I have been an Unwritten Law fan ever since high school when their first self-titled album came out. They make great, upbeat, punk-rock music that can get you moving. To me they never seemed to get too deep with their lyrics, rather they stuck to fun topics. Which is why I was so surprised when I got back from Mozambique and heard their new single "Save Me" on iTunes. It was deep, upbeat, and an all-around great song.

After returning home from Mozambique, Africa, I went through some very difficult times, and this song was something that helped pick me up and keep me moving forward.

Unwritten Law "Save Me"

Click here to listen to and buy the song on iTunes.

Had a bad day, don't talk to me,
I'm gonna ride this out,
My little black heart, breaks apart,
With your big mouth.

And I'm sick of my sickness
Don't touch me, you'll get this.
I'm useless, lazy, perverted,
And you hate me.

You can't save me,
You can't change me,
Well I'm waiting for my wake-up call,
And everything, everything's my fault.

Went to the doctor, and I asked her,
To make this stop. (whoa)
Got medication, a new addiction,
...thanks a lot.

I had a relapse, I'm back at rehab
It ruins everything. (whoa)
So point your finger, at the singer,
He's in the pharmacy.

You can't save me,
You can't change me,
Well I'm waiting for my wake-up call,
And everything's my fault.

You can't save me,
You can't blame me,
Well I'm waiting here to take a fall,
And everything, and everything's my fault.

And I'm a death threat haven't slept yet,
Baby why the wake up call
I'm the bad boy tell the tabloids
Everything's my fault.

Whoa whoa whoa yeah, write it, write it,
Whoa Whoa whoa everything's my fault,
Everything's my fault.

I went to heaven, but couldn't get in,
For what I have done.
I said forsake me, he said you're crazy
You had too much fun.

You can't save me,
You can't change me,
Well I'm waiting for my wake-up call,
And everything's my fault.

You can't save me,
You can't blame me,
Well I'm waiting here to take a fall,
And everything, everything's my fault.

You can't save me,
You can't change me, (everythings my fault)
You can't save me,
You can't change me, (everythings my fault)
You can't save me,
You can't change me, (everything's my fault)
You can't save me,
You can't change me,
Everything's my fault

Week of Lyrics, Day 6: Ben Harper "Forever"

2007-06-01T10:12:00.000-06:00

I used this song when proposing to my wife. If you asked me what "our song" is, this would be one of the candidates. The lyrics are great, because we live in a world that feels divorce is an alternative to marriage. People are too scared to make a long term commitment and sit ready to file for divorce at the first sign of trouble. Marriage is hard work, it takes time, energy, and effort to build a strong marriage. If you bail out at the first sign of difficulty, you are going to miss out on the great blessings and joy that come from being married. I wish we could bring down the divorce rate in our country, because it has gotten out of hand. Divorce is there for a good reason, but it gets abused every single day.

Ben Harper "Forever"

Click here to listen to and buy the song on iTunes.

Not talkin' 'bout a year
no not three or four
I don't want that kind of forever
in my life anymore
forever always seems
to be around when it begins
but forever never seems
to be around when it ends
so give me your forever
please your forever
not a day less will do
from you

People spend so much time
every single day
runnin' 'round all over town
givin' their forever away
but no not me
I won't let my forever roam
and now I hope I can find
my forever a home
so give me your forever
please your forever
not a day less will do
from you

Like a handless clock with numbers
an infinite of time
no not the forever found
only in the mind
forever always seems
to be around when things begin
but forever never seems
to be around when things end
so give me your forever
please your forever
not a day less will do
from you

Week of Lyrics, Day 5: The Killers "Change Your Mind"

2007-05-31T16:33:00.000-06:00

Before getting married, I went through the bittersweet experience of dating. I must admit...I don't miss it! It is a time of excitement and heartache, but worst of all, uncertainty. There were a few times where I put myself out there and got "nicely" shot down. The song, "Change Your Mind" by the Killers, always gave me a pick me up. The line "If the answer is no, can I change your mind?" rung true to my ears. It helped me feel like I still had a chance when I clearly didn't.

The Killers "Change Your Mind"

Click here to listen to and download the song from iTunes

Racey days
Help me through the hopeless haze
But my oh my
Tragic eyes
I can't even recognise myself behind
So if the answer is no
Can I change your mind

Out again, a siren screams at half past ten
And you won't let go
While I ignore, that we both felt like this
Before it starts to show
So if I had a chance
Would you let me know

Why aren't you shaking
Step back in time
Graciously taking
Oh your too kind

And if the answer is no
Can I change your mind

We're all the same
And love is blind
The sun is gone
Before it shines

And I said if the answer is no
Can I change your mind

Week of Lyrics, Day 4: Switchfoot "Gone"

2007-05-30T15:34:00.000-06:00

This life is precious. We never know when our time will come and we cannot control how much longer we have. The thing we can control is what we do right now. So, what are we doing with our time? Are you living for the moment or for the future? Do you have a short-term or long-term perspective? Do you live for yourself or selflessly give your time to others?

Switchfoot has many great songs, making it hard to choose only one. For today's song I decided upon "Gone." My favorite line is at the end, "We've got information in the information age, but do we know what life is outside of our convenient Lexus cages?" I would even go so far as to replace "Lexus" with "American." Think about it.

Click here to listen to and purchase the song on iTunes.

She told him she'd rather fix her makeup
than try and fix what's going on
But the problem keeps on calling
even with the cell phone gone.

She told him that she believes in living
bigger than she's living now
But her world keeps spinning backwards
And upside down.

Don't say so long, and throw yourself wrong.
Don't spin today away, 'cause today will soon be

Gone, like yesterday is gone
Like history is gone
Just try and prove me wrong and
pretend like you're immortal.

She said, he said, live like no tomorrow
Everyday we borrow brings us
one step closer to the edge. Infinity.
Where's your treasure, where's your hope
if you get the world and lose your soul?
She pretends like she pretends like she's immortal.

Don't say so long, you're not that far gone.
This could be your big chance to make-up
Today will soon be

Gone, like yesterday is gone
Like history is gone
The world keeps spinning on
You're going, going
Gone, like summer break is gone,
Like Saturday is gone
Just try and prove me wrong and
pretend like you're immortal (you're immortal)
You're immortal (you're immortal)

Ha-ah

We are not infinite
We are not permanent
Nothing is immediate
We are so confident in our accomplishments.
Look at our decadence.

Gone, like Frank Sinatra, like Elvis and his mom,
Like Al Pacino's cash, nothing lasts in this life.
My High School dreams are gone,
my childhood sweets are gone
Life is a day that doesn't last for long.

Life is more than money, time was never money.
Time was never cash, life is still more than girls.
Life is more than hundred dollar bills and roto-tom fills.
Life is more than fame and rock and roll and thrills,
All the riches of the kings end up in wills
We've got information in the information age
but do we know what life is outside of our convenient Lexus cages?

She said he said live like no tomorrow
Every moment that we borrow brings us closer
to the God who's not short of cash
Hey Bono, I'm glad you asked.
Life is still worth living, Life is still worth living.
Life is more that you are.

Week of Lyrics, Day 3: Weird Al Yankovic "I'll Sue Ya"

2007-05-29T10:17:00.000-06:00

Today's song isn't a complete joke. You don't really picture Weird Al as having inspiring lyrics, unless he's inspiring laughter. However, I love this song because it is a satire that describes so perfectly the problem of our American society today. If anyone causes us inconvenience, we feel it's our right to get even with them. That philosophy makes me sick. People are human and make mistakes. Does that mean we should try to capitalize off them? Whatever happened to turning the other cheek?

With that, here is Weird Al "I'll Sue Ya." I've provided a link to get the song off iTunes and also the music video on YouTube. The lyrics are below the music video.

I sued Taco Bell
'Cause I ate half a million Chalupas
And I got fat!

I sued Panasonic
They never said I shouldn't use their microwave
To dry off my cat

Huh, I sued Earthlink
'Cause I called them up
N' they had the nerve to put me on hold

I sued Starbucks
'Cause I spilled a Frappucino in my lap
And brrr, it was cold!

I sued Toys'R'Us
'Cause I swallowed a Nerf ball
And nearly choked to death

Ugh, I sued PetCo
'Cause I ate a bag of kitty litter
And now I got bad breath!

I sued Coca-Cola, yo
'Cause I put my finger down in a bottle
And it got stuck!

I sued Delta Airlines
'Cause they sold me a ticket to New Jersey
I went there, and it sucked!

Yeah!!!

If you stand me up on a date
If you deliver my pizza 30 seconds late

I'm gonna sue, sue
Yes, I'm gonna sue
Sue, sue, yeah that's what I'm gonna do
I'm gonna sue, sue
Yes, I'm gonna sue
Sue, sue, yeah I might even sue you!

Ugh!!

I sued Duracell
They never told me not to shove that double-A
Right up my nose

I sued Home Depot
'Cause they sold me a hammer
Which they knew I might drop on my toes

I sued Dell Computers
'Cause I took a bath with my laptop
Now it doesn't work

I sued Fruit of the Loom
'Cause when I wear their tightie-whities on my head
I look like a jerk

I sued Verizon
'Cause I get all depressed
Any time my cell phone is roaming

I sued Colorado
'Cause you know, I think it looks a little bit too much
Like Wyoming

I sued Neiman Marcus
'Cause they put up their Christmas decorations
Way out of season

I sued Ben Affleck
...
Aw, do I even need a reason?

Ugh!

If I sprain my ankle
While I'm robbing your place

If I hurt my knuckles
When I punch you in the face

I'm gonna sue, sue
Yes, I'm gonna sue
Sue, sue, yeah that's what I'm gonna do
I'm gonna sue, sue
Yes, I'm gonna sue
Sue, sue, that's right I'm gonna sue you

Ugh!
Ugh!
Ugh!

I'll sue ya!
I'll take all of your money
I'll sue ya!
If you even look at me funny

I'll sue ya!
I'll take all of your money
I'll sue ya!
If you even look at me funny

I'll sue ya!
I'll take all of your money
I'll sue ya!
If you even look at me funny

I'll sue ya!
I'll take all of your money
I'll sue ya!
If you even look at me funny

I'll sue ya!
Ha-ha ha ha-haa
I'll sue ya!
What'chall think of that?

I'll sue ya!
Ha-ha ha ha-haa
Boo ya!
I'll sue ya!

Ugh!

Week of Lyrics, Day 2: Fort Minor "Kenji"

2007-05-28T13:19:00.000-06:00

95% of the hip-hop on the radio these days is complete junk. Flat beats, meaningless rhymes, sex-laden verses about going to the club, and Ebonics are all they seem capable of. It's such a problem that I finally took the local hip-hop station off my preset buttons in the car. If you knew me personally, you'd know how big of a deal that is. Photo courtesy of Shadowfox Productions.

For this reason, I would like to highlight a current hip-hop artist that is above all of that crap. He puts time into coming up with meaningful lyrics and beats that get you moving. You've probably heard a couple of his songs, "Where'd You Go" and "Remember the Name" That latter is being used on the NBA Playoffs right now.

The song I'm highlighting today is geared towards Memorial Day. I'm so grateful for all the troops that have fought for our freedom. Often times we forget to remember other people that have courageously been part of the war as well. The song "Kenji" is about the Japanese interment camps here in the United States during World War 2. They were hard times back then and I absolutely LOVE this song. Fort Minor (Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park) writes inspiring lyrics that pay homage to those courageous Japanese who suffered during that time and had the maturity to not seek revenge when they had been wronged.

Fort Minor "Kenji"

Click here to listen to and purchase the song on iTunes.

"My father came from Japan in 1905
He was 15 when he immigrated from Japan
He worked until he was able to buy-to actually build a store."

Let me tell you the story in the form of a dream,
I don't know why I have to tell it but I know what it means,
Close your eyes, just picture the scene,
As I paint it for you, it was World War II,
When this man named Kenji woke up,
Ken was not a soldier,
He was just a man with a family who owned a store in LA,
That day, he crawled out of bed like he always did,
Bacon and eggs with wife and kids,
He lived on the second floor of a little store he ran,
He moved to LA from Japan,
They called him 'Immigrant,'
In Japanese, he'd say he was called 'Iisei,'
That meant 'First Generation In The United States,'
When everybody was afraid of the Germans, afraid of the Japs,
But most of all afraid of a homeland attack,
And that morning when Ken went out on the doormat,
His world went black 'cause,
Right there; front page news,
Three weeks before 1942,
"Pearl Harbor's Been Bombed And The Japs Are Comin',"
Pictures of soldiers dyin' and runnin',
Ken knew what it would lead to,
Just like he guessed, the President said,
"The evil Japanese in our home country will be locked away,"
They gave Ken a couple of days,
To get his whole life packed in two bags,
Just two bags, couldn't even pack his clothes,
Some folks didn't even have a suitcase, to pack anything in,
So two trash bags was all they gave them,
When the kids asked mom "Where are we goin'?"
Nobody even knew what to say to them,
Ken didn't wanna lie, he said "The US is lookin' for spies,
So we have to live in a place called Manzanar,
Where a lot of Japanese people are,"
Stop it, don't look at the gunmen,
You don't wanna get the soldiers wonderin',
If you gonna run or not,
'Cause if you run then you might get shot,
Other than that try not to think about it,
Try not to worry 'bout it; bein' so crowded,
Someday we'll get out, someday, someday.

As soon as war broke out
The F.B.I. came and...they just come to the house and
"You have to come"
"All the Japanese have to go"
They took Mr. Ni
And people didn't understand
Why did they have to take him?
Because he's an innocent labourer

So now they're in a town with soldiers surroundin' them,
Every day, every night look down at them,
From watch towers up on the wall,
Ken couldn't really hate them at all;
They were just doin' their job and,
He wasn't gonna make any problems,
He had a little garden with vegetables and fruits that,
He gave to the troops in a basket his wife made,
But in the back of his mind, he wanted his families life saved,
Prisoners of war in their own damn country,
What for?
Time passed in the prison town,
He wonder if he'd live it down when they were free,
The only way out was joinin' the army,
And supposedly, some men went out for the army, signed on,
And ended up flyin' to Japan with a bomb,
That 15 kiloton blast put an end to the war pretty fast,
Two cities were blown to bits; the end of the war came quick,
Ken got out, big hopes of a normal life with his kids and his wife,
But, when they got back to their home,
What they saw made them feel so alone,
These people had trashed every room,
Smashed in the windows and bashed in the doors,
Written on the walls and the floor,
"Japs not welcome anymore."
And Kenji dropped both of his bags at his sides and just stood outside,
He, looked at his wife without words to say,
She looked back at him wiped the tears away,
And, said "Someday we'll be okay, someday,"
Now the names have been changed, but the story's true,
My family was locked up back in '42,
My family was there it was dark and damp,
And they called it an internment camp

"When we first got back from camp,
It was... it was... pretty bad"

"I, I remember my husband said
'Oh we're gonna stay 'til last'
Then my husband died before they close the camp."

Click here to listen to and purchase the song on iTunes.