Ghetto sunset

Ghetto sunset
Originally uploaded by Dustaquarius

Beauty is all around us. It's up to us to find it. In the back alley of the industrial area of Long Beach I found some beauty I wouldn't have bothered to notice before. Life is what we make it and this view reminds me of such

Under a week

New job, New location and the chance to make some new friends. Can't wait til my first day just to see what my time will hold. Have high hopes for the new tasks I have signed up for. I'm excited to get back to something I had fun doing before but I do still worry I may find it not as fun as my memories hold. Oh well no matter how hard the work I just look forward to the chance to get back to earning my way through life. Of course if between now and then I come into a windfall of money I won't be mad at it.

- a look inside the mind of D -

Bad medicine

Talking with my wife got me thinking. I understand the medical system is flawed due to greed and/or stupidity, but how is it the FDA approves drugs to hit the market that side effects are worse then the problems they are trying to solve.


I mean really think about it. The other day, while watching commercials, I realized how bad some of these side effects could really be. Now we all know the ridiculousness of depression medicines giving you suicidal thoughts, thus defeating the purpose. That being said, have you heard of the medicines for digestion giving you diarrhea and/or constipation? I don't know about you but that sounds like you still have digestion issues. The newest one I heard yesterday was a drug used to assist the depression medicine you are already using, ya know just in case you still feel depressed. So this drug has common side effects like dry mouth, headaches, sore throat stuff, but the last two side effects named kind of blew my mind. This drug, that is supposed to cover up for the fact your other drug isn't working, has side effects including HIGH BLOOD SUGAR and LOW WHITE BLOOD CELL COUNT. Think about that for a second, they are asking you to take a medicine that's side effects are equal to symptoms you get from having Diabetes and AIDS. I don't know about you, but those side effects alone would cause my depression to worsen for sure.
So I ask anyone out there reading this, why do we allow our doctors to prescribe us things that will force us to return to them for another prescription and more money out of our pockets? This shit is getting ridiculous. I for one am tired of taking a drug for my lifelong high blood pressure that could possibly cause me kidney failure if I don't go to the doctor every six month to make sure I'm not killing myself. It's an outright crazy situation. Hell, my diabetes medicine can lead to extremely LOW blood sugar. Yeah that's right to cure my Diabetes they are willing to give me anemia. Yeah I'll either die of a STROKE if I don't take them or I slip into a COMA if I do. I'm sick of this system and I hope some real change will come in my lifetime so we all could lead happier healthier and wealthier lives.
- a look inside the mind of D -

Words

Feeling sketchy...



Uneasy and unaware. My surroundings out of focus. Life as good as it ever can or will be. And if it's all the same to you my time for change has come and gone. So ready for the new to begin again, you know what they say, when one door closes a window gets a brick through it letting opportunity in. So my friends I ask you who are your bricks. Who helps shine the light on the bigger and better things in your lives? Yeah that's what I thought, you've allowed me to be that brick. I take the task seriously so please allow me to break the glass and let some light shine through!

- a look inside the mind of D -

NSFW

Yes it's true my thoughts are not always meant for a work type environment, and as I'm heading back into the working world soon I thought it'd be best if maybe I get all these NSFW thoughts out now.

NEVER SLAP FRUMPY WOMEN
NOW
NEXT STOP FROWN WRINKLES
NATURE SIMPLY FOLLOWS WRECKAGE

I seriously have no idea what any of that means but I'm sure if I went around my new job spouting off these sayings for all to hear my job would probably be short lived haha.

- a look inside the mind of D -

The year ahead...AFC Edition

Week one has come to a close and some very surprising events have happened. My NFC picks largely remain the same, but the AFC in my eyes has been turned around.

AFC East
Bills- now they won their first game thoroughly against the chiefs, but my view hasn't changed as the chiefs are far from impressive. Bills will end up where they always do at the bottom of the division.

Jets- Rex wants to will them to first but sadly the arch rivals in New England won't let that happen. 2nd in the division

Dolphins- good year ahead but as they already know good isn't much in a division like this. Greatness gets you first good rings in third

Patriots- return to GREATNESS garners them a solid first in the division.

AFC South
Texans- finally this team is geared to live up to their potential for the first time. Thanks to the upcoming absence of Peyton Manning from Indy the Texans even giving their normal mediocre efforts are a shoe in for first in this dismantled division. They have the talent to dominate it's finally time for them to live up to their hype.

Colts- no Manning sadly means no chance. Yes one player in normal circumstances does not make a team, but Peyton IS the offense and without him the endzone will seem like a faint memory.

Jaguars- cutting your starting QB a week before your opening game is sure signs of a rebuilding season. It will be interesting to see what can and will be built. Bottom of the division seems to be the destiny.

Titans- Chris got his money now if only yards produced would lead to victories. Either way due to the colts downfall the door has been opened and this team is primed to go through it. 2nd in the division looks to be their final resting place.

AFC North
Bengals- last in the division is the only thing they will be fighting for. Maybe then next years draft can help them get the missing piece to a brighter future.

Browns- though they have long resided in the gutter this is their year to improve and prove they are worth a look. They will challenge any team they face, but sadly the top two teams in this division will still keep them down for now. This year they will prove themselves worth fearing, but it will be next year where they can make a move out of third.

Ravens- though it will be a tight battle as usual this year they will top Pittsburgh and not only win the division they will challenge for the conference.

Steelers- hey 2nd in this division still gets you a trip to the playoffs where Big Ben has always shined.

AFC West
Chargers- playoff tested team, all star QB and time tested coach. The only team in the division that can say that. Surprisingly this fact will get them second to the unlikeliest team.

Chiefs- sharp drop in skill means sharp decline in wins. Look for them to visit the cellar once again as they have for so many years before

Broncos- new coach same mistakes. QB issues will never rest until the organization gets on the same page for consecutive days for the first time in seasons. Good talent goes to waste here they will be in a fight with KC for dead last.

Raiders- talent and determination will finally lead to success for a storied franchise who haven't won since the beginning of the previous decade. The less we here from Al the more successful the team becomes. Maybe just maybe the old timer will allow the team to win without his presence stinking up the joint. First in the division as long as management doesn't interfere with what's actually working.





- a look inside the mind of D -

The nomad lives on

So I have now added the 562 to my list of lived area codes. this list seems to forever be expanding. Every few years I seem to find a new place to call home. I dream of settling, but a place to truly settle never comes. Why is that? Is it me or is it my locations? Am I just never satisfied in one place or do these places simply grow tired of me? I can never truly know. The people I encounter insure me I have made a difference in their lives. Frankly that is the ultimate goal of life, in my opinion, to reach out and positively affect as many lives possible. What better way to measure a life then in smiles and love? So though I'm forever passing through while I'm in that space it's best to be the best me I can be. So with that idea the best me I can be should breed nothing more then positivity correct?
- a look inside the mind of D -

it begins..the year as I see it

Week 1 has begun.





Sunday is upon us and the 2011 season has begun. We all endured a lockout and this season being up in the air. All that is the past the season has begun the first game was a wild one too bad the Saints were unable to run (last play of the game on the 1 yard line. Your team is a passing team, but instead of doing what you do best a run straight up the middle is called. Of course it failed it was doomed from the beginning). Now my attention turns to my beloved Eagles as overhyped as they may be. The Rams aren't much of a challenge, but anything can happen in the NFL.
Eagles have the eyes of the world on them thanks to a crazy productive shortened offseason. Well the season is on and my team better be as well. Only time will tell, but I can't wait to find out for sure. So cheers to a good season and I certainly hope a successful Eagles' campaign.
Now for the fun...

The year as seen by D!
NFC addition

NFC NORTH:
Vikings- though I Love Mcnabb this is the beginning of the ugly Viking end, honestly last year was but the woes will continue. I say now they will be last in the NFC North.

Bears- not sure on this one. It's not a bad team, but don't see them dominating as much as they used to. I'm guessing 8-8 plus or minus one game.

Lions- lots of big talk surrounding this team, but it's a little hard to digest. To get the Lions back to playoff form will take not just putting a good team on the field, but it will also take changing the entire culture of losing the team has established for so long. That being said this will be their year to do so. Think it's impossible? Well tell that to the Sean Payton era Saints!

Packers- yes they are the defending champs and it helps they won the opening game of the season, but let's be real. It's incredibly hard for a champ to repeat and though they won it was an ugly game with no defense shown which could have been easily won by the the Saints had they called the right play at the end. I'm saying 2nd in the division under the Lions.

NFC SOUTH:
Buccaneers- like the team and they are really good, but sadly they are in one tight division where it can be anyone's to win. Don't know but don't think this will be the year 2nd in the division and two games outside of the playoffs

Panthers- ok know how I said it's anyone's division to win? Yeah, I wasn't speaking of this crew of ragamuffins. Cam's first season will be a success but sadly rookie QBs get you last in this division.

Falcons- it's theirs to lose in my eyes. Yes the Bucs and Saints are both good but the Falcons will rule the south this season.

Saints- the first game showed me one thing. They will put up some amazing offensive stats this year, but the defense will lead them straight to third in the division.

NFC EAST:
Eagles- I've said it all in my above post. Not only will they take the division they will be in the fight to take the conference in the end.

Giants- one manning down leaves all eyes on little bro. Yes he has a ring but the spotlight burns.. Third in the east.

Redskins- why are they even bothering. Yes I may be bias as I'm a McNabb guy through and through, but Shanahan & son are going to run an already bad team even lower. What is this Major League? Are the redskins going to be headed LA way if they keep producing crap seasons?

Cowboys- I hate them I HATE them I HATE THEM!!! That being said last year was a fluke and this year they will return to the playoffs once again and a solid 2nd n the division.

NFC WEST:
Rams, Seahawks, Cardinals- this division doesn't matter, but this should be the year that anyone can return to the promised land especially since 7-9 can take the division. I'm seeing a three way tie for crapiness here so it's really a coin toss. Maybe all the promise of Kolb greatness may give the Cards the edge, but as I was never a follower of the Kolb I'm kind of doubting that.

49ers- they aren't even going to try this year. Harbaugh wants his college star and if you honestly think they planned on winning this year explain More ALEX SMITH. I mean really, haven't we all abandoned that ship yet?




- a look inside the mind of D -

Art as life

Let's talk about art shall we? Frankly what is art? Honestly no one knows. I personally dig street art, graffiti, and other creative acts. Problem is I'm goody two shoes enough to recognize the problems with vandalizing someone else's property. Think about it, no matter how cool something looks the person that painted, tagged, etched or demolished it into existence would probably be pissed if you came along and done the same thing to the largest wall of their house. Also Art is difficult because good looking things are deemed art, but what of the ugly. By definition all examples of self impression should be deemed art, however we as individuals have an inherent ability to dismiss anything we don't perceive as beautiful or things we don't understand. Every picture every five year old ever made should share the same walls of national museums along side Pollock or Van Gough, but that will never happen.




So I ask you, what is art and do you honestly like it?

High School drama

Remember the days. First day of freshman year. Four years of possibility laid out in front of you. You walk through the halls unsure unaware if you'd find acceptance or be relegated to the outskirts the outside looking in at all the kids who you had wished you would become.


Walking from your home room to algebra you saw something very intriguing in the hall. It was your ultimate fear placed on poster board the BACK to SCHOOL dance was fast approaching. Every one in school would be attending and you couldn't afford to miss it, but should you actually brave the crowd and go? First High School dance the ultimate fork in the road of our early teens. That dance can lead to utter humiliation ultimate elation or there is always the third option. A humdrum night which means you may just live the under the radar life for the following four years. I sadly had the third, which is neither bad nor good it is what it is.
1995 freshman year De La Salle high school. Me and a jr high friend attend the dance together which I still don't understand why I mean I guess she was being my pity date, but how is it pity if I didn't even like her like that? Anyway we arrive separately take like 1 picture she goes off with her girls I go off with my homies and I don't remember us spending another moment together for the rest of the night. The only thing I remember positive about the night is one of the cooler guys from my class was so jealous I was going with her. He thought she was hot so in his eyes I was the man, which is a feeling I've never had before and I must say I enjoyed it. So I must say thanks to Katy for giving that one brief moment of coolness, trust me it was never felt again in the next four years. Who knows if I had stayed in DLS I might have achieved that level of greatness again but my evil parental units snatched me away after one year and shipped me off to craptastic Bishop O'Dowd (not a bad school, but anytime you enter a new school sophomore year and not knowing a single soul you are destined to have horrible memories of the place).
Now O'Dowd may have been better remembered if I had been better at reading women. Not knowing a soul I had a very cute classmate basically begging me to attend the very same start of the year dance I had no problem attending my freshman year, but this was a new school with new kids and I was so far on the outside and completely oblivious to the fact the girl obviously liked me I just didn't bother to go. Of course this blew my shot at an early high school relationship (which are so key to dating life survival) and somewhat tainted the only friendship I had formed at the moment. Let's just say the remaining three years becoming a blur of blown opportunities and other random anomalies. So ya see kids that first dance can set up so much more then learning how to cope in the crowd, it really is important to prepare you for the years ahead. Trust Frosh & Soph years are so important to establish early successes or you will be in for a world full of pain.
After relieving these memories I can only say one thing.
THANK GOD I'M 30!

- a look inside the mind of D -

Make it happen

Keep it moving
Get it going
Watch what happens next
Keep it moving
Get it going
This is proving to be one hell of a test
Keep it moving
Get it going
Just let me prove I can do my best
Keep it moving
Get it going
We WILL definitely ace this test.

Just keep going

Life as I know it has stayed unchanged. People all around me still look at me strange. Unclear Unsure Unaware yet still knowing with a helping hand we will soon to be glowing. Life has drawn me away from my more creative self while looking for a living my other life of words and creativity must be placed on the shelf. Is this how the local executives loose their sense of self. Putting away the imagination so they could find a home that fits them best. When creativity is shelved what remains is utter crap. The leftover brings us 80s movie remakes and white girls who are convinced they can rap. This is an epidemic and I'm on ground zero so I guess I'll have to continue writing so I can become the imaginations' Hero!


- a look inside the mind of D -