Red, White, AND Blue

A friend of mine made a post on Facebook today. One that disturbed me, but also stirred my patriotism and got me thinking.

This was my response:

It isn't over. Not yet.

It also isn't your failure. It's the failure of those with the power to make the needed change. This country was founded on the principle that the PEOPLE have the power. That power being given through democracy and equal representation. It was the failure and corruption of these representatives that led to our current state...not the failure of the people, themselves. Despite being warned by the founders of this country and despite fighting ourselves in a bloody civil war, we have become divided. Not by borders or race, but by politics. By allowing a two-party system to dominate our government, we have split the nation in two. People are now Red or Blue, not Red, White AND Blue. We are all AMERICANS. Despite race, gender, or creed...we are ONE nation.

Remind your daughter of this. Tell her that she has every right to stand up for what she believes in, but so it is the right of every other American. She may voice her opinion as loud as she wishes, but she should also defend that same right of her fellow countrymen...even if she disagrees.

Muscle vs Intelligence

Now, before I start this, I feel like I need to inform you a bit here. 

This blog posting is very opinionated and is based on my own personal experiences. That being said, it's a very personal post...HOWEVER, that doesn't mean I will be throwing professionalism and maturity out the window. Try to read this post as a mature rant from a very frustrated 26 year-old guy.

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Let's get to it.

A friend of mine shared a pretty messed up article on Facebook today. My friend is a rather chunky fellow, so his frustrations are equal to that of mine when it comes to this subject, he is just on the other side of scale. (Literally)

The article essentially states that, unless you are muscular and "masculine", than you aren't attractive to women. Also, intelligence is directly connected to muscles mass. The more jacked you are, the smarter you are. (lol wut)

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I want to clarify here. It is absolutely possible to be both muscular and intelligent. Many of my friends are lucky enough to have both large biceps and a large brain.

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Now, as a skinny guy, I find this article both hysterical and insulting.

A guy that spends less time working out his muscles and more time working out his mind, SHOULD be far more attractive to a mature woman. There is obviously a line to be drawn somewhere (which boils down to personal preference), but unfortunately most "women" find a guy who has huge muscles and the IQ of an eggplant, to be be more attractive. They'd rather have a guy who is physically attractive and can "protect her", than a guy who can file his own taxes, hold a decent job, and prevent situations where she would need to be protected in the first place, by using his wit and intelligence.

It's a sad truth and most women will argue until they are blue in the face, that it isn't.

I may sound a little frustrated, but that's because I am. This article makes my blood boil.

Being thin is an issue I've had to deal with my entire life and I'm sure it's the same way for large guys as well. We simply were not born with the frame or build, to be as "ripped" as other men. Does that mean we should be tossed aside? I've lost count of how many times I've been passed up by women for some "muscle-head" despite being sweet, caring, intelligent, and thoughtful. It is beyond frustrating when you act the way a true gentleman should act, only to be put in the "friend-zone" because you weren't enough of a man to meet her expectations. 

Anyone who has half a brain will tell you that there is a logical reason for this. You could even cite Charles Darwin and his idea of "natural selection." The weak specimens don't get chosen and only the strongest survive. Makes sense right? Women want a man who can be there for her physically. It's not his muscles that she finds attractive, but his strength...the two just go hand-in-hand. So, when a woman sees a man who appears to be physically stronger than another, she is naturally more attracted to him. To boil it down, it's simply a primal instinct. That being said, I hold ZERO resentment toward women that do/have done this at any time in their life. They are simply acting on instinct...something that is hard-wired into their DNA.

HOWEVER...

We aren't cavemen/women anymore. In today's modern age, is physical strength really something that should be at the top of your priority list for attractiveness? Granted, it's always a nice thing to have in a time of need...much like a gun or a condom. 

"I'd rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it."

Let's get real here though. What traits are more worth having in a man these days? Wouldn't you think that intelligence and critical thinking skills would be pretty high up on the list? Wouldn't you rather be with a man who can avoid physical altercations and financial troubles by using his mind? A guy who can provide for you financially and mentally?

I may be a bit bitter, but take it from a guy who has dated plenty of attractive women, despite being thin...it's a real problem. It's a constant up-hill battle for us to find and attract women. Both skinny and chunky guys alike. So just do all of us a favor and at least consider us for a moment. Take a step back from your primal urges and try to look at things from the perspective of a modern human being. 

Do you want to be with the guy who goes out and kills your dinner, or the guy who is smart enough to have the other guy do it for him? 

Time Passes - History Remains

I posted the following photo on Facebook today after it was sent to me by a family member, knowing my love for history and more importantly, World War II.

This collage of images speaks volumes. It sends a message that I believe we should all take note of.

No matter how dark times may seem and no matter how much evil tries to gain a foothold in this world, things have a way of getting better...and evil men always meet their end at hands of the righteous. Good will always triumph over evil and there is always a light at the end of the tunnel...so buckle down and fight for what's right. Fight for what you want in life and let nothing bring you down.

If human history has taught us one thing, it is that we can endure countless horrors and at the end of it all, we get right back up on our feet and sometimes, make things even better than they were before. The human spirit is not one so easily crushed.

3D Flyover of Mars

The ESA has created a 3D topographical flyover of Mars using images taken by the High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) run by the DLR German Aerospace Center.

It's truly amazing to finally see the Martian surface in 3D dimensions and I cannot wait for the day that we get actual boots on the ground!

Follow the link below for the video!

http://youtu.be/XOPUdZtnt24

Combat Evolved: Halo 3 to Halo 4

I have discussed this with quite a few friends and fellow Halo fans recently and I feel like this needs to be said. It's short and to the point, but it's worth noting.

Just because a game was good a decade ago, doesn't mean it will be just as good now. Halo 3 is a lot of fun. I spent COUNTLESS hours playing it. I reached Brigadier Grade 3 and a highest level of 46. I was pretty dang good at it.

...but it's antiquated now. There is NO way that it could last in the industry today. If 343 made a game exactly like Halo 3, but just put some spit and polish on it...it would flop...HARD. They need to be able to compete with fast-paced titles such as Call of Duty and Battlefield. A Halo game without sprint, would flounder in the sea of FPS titles that do. 

Going back and playing Halo 3 is fun. It's nostalgic and it is more than capable of producing even more memories and good times as ever before...but it had it's glory days. Let it go.

Remember Your Roots - Halo 3 Screenshots

With Halo 3 being released for free within the coming days, I figured now was as good a time as any, to dive back into my past a bit.

I have always been a passionate Halo fan...but it wasn't until Bungie introduced the theater mode in Halo 3, that I started to become really involved in the community. It opened up a door for me and allowed me to express my creativity in a game that I so desperately loved.

With the theater mode, came screenshots.

I began snapping a few shots here and there when I was bored. Then I would share them with my friends. I never thought they were anything special, but eventually the community began to say otherwise. I started to get invited to a lot of Bungie.net groups (Including 'Screenshot Photographers'), asked to join forums such as Real7alk.com, and even had a few of my shots featured as Bungie and Community Favorites. It all hit me so fast, that it was a bit overwhelming.

Since then, I have made so many close friends within the community and have risen to a head staff position on Ready Up Live. It's a bit surreal, to be honest. I'm normally a pretty humble person, but I won't lie to you...it's pretty awesome!

That all being said, I want to share with you some of my most famous and my personal favorites from my screenshots to come out of Halo 3. A screenshot with an * in the title, marks a Bungie or Community Favorite.

Keep In Mind: These are not all of my screenshots. Some of my favorites are missing and as of right now, are unobtainable due to the lack of access to Halo 3 fileshares.

Abandoned

Blasted *

Blue Cosmos

Cole Protocol

Contact

Firefight

Flag Stolen

Flare

Frost

Halo: First Strike - Cover Art Recreation

Iconic

Iron Demon

L.A.S.E.R.

Overseer

Plasma

RED

Red Sniper *

The Beam *

Toxic

FOR SCIENCE!!

I asked you guys what you wanted me to post about and the resounding response was science. You wanted to know my thoughts and opinions on the subject, so that is what this first post will be about.

- ATTENTION -
Before I get started, I just want to remind everyone that science can be a pretty touchy subject for some people. Mainly those of religious belief and devotion. That being said, I am expressing my personal opinions in this blog. If they conflict with your beliefs or offend you in any way, simply don't continue to read. Also, any negative comments and "flaming" will not be tolerated. Everyone is entitled to their own beliefs and opinions. Remember that.

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So, what is "science" exactly?

Google defines the word as:

the intellectual and practical activity encompassing the systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment

Essentially, science is the study of the natural world and everything that makes up our existence. Science asks the big questions.

• What?
• How?
• When?
• Why?

Scientists question everything. They are constantly seeking answers and explanations. It is this mindset, that has brought about the growth and technological advancement of humanity. As a species, we have advanced further than any other creature to walk this planet. As human beings, in the grand scheme of things, we should NOT be at the top of the food chain. Compared to some of the other creatures that currently roam the Earth, we are weak and frail. The ONLY reason that we have advanced to become the dominant species on the planet, is because of our minds. We have the largest brain capacity of any species before us and any species currently alive today.

We are able to think freely and rather than accept our environment for what it is, we question it. We adapt to it. Rather than let nature control us, we control nature. It is often said that there is ONE trait that sets us, as human beings, apart from the rest of the species on this planet.

Curiosity.

Without our constant thirst for knowledge and answers, humanity would not be at the dominant level that it is at today. That being said, it is my personal belief that science is what is going to carry us well into the future. Science is the one thing that unites us as a species. Despite all of our differences in this world, despite all the conflict, and despite all the language barriers...science is what can unify us. The one language that every human being understands, is mathematics. An integral part of science.

As a species, we need to grow up, wake up, and stand up together. All the fighting that we inflict upon ourselves does nothing to move us forward. If we are to expand our knowledge and continue to grow...we need to focus on science and technology. Not for war, but for unity. Imagine if all of the trillions of dollars spent on military research, were spent on finding cures for diseases...renewable fuel sources...or space exploration. Imagine how much of a better world it would be.

There is a quote from the 2008 movie "The Day the Earth Stood Still" by the character Professor Barnhardt, that I'd like to leave you with to think about.

"Well that's where we are. You say we're on the brink of destruction and you're right. But it's only on the brink that people find the will to change. Only at the precipice do we evolve. This is our moment. Don't take it from us, we are close to an answer."