More From the Random Thought Generator

There is someone I have a couple things I want to say to right now but I'm scared. I hate that because I think my fear is going to make me miss out on a chance to tell someone how I really feel about them. Hopefully I'll grow a pair...

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Great press conference the other day Mr Jobs. It seems since the whole iPhone 4 leak on Gizmodo that every major online news outlet has been out to get Jobs and crew at Apple. Even listening to the Twit broadcasts yesterday you could hear the bitterness in their voices. I'll make one simple statement and leave it at that: Apple may not be perfect but they are still the innovator in this country that sets the standard for computers, smart phones, and music distribution. Love or hate 'em there has never really been a reason for the bile they receive. If the press conference taught us anything it showed us that the current iPhone antenna issues are common to all smartphones, they are offering a viable solution to the problem (including your money back), and the problem has been inflated as typical with the hype driven media.

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Just finished Second Coming. The story arch that ties together a lot of threads that have been going on in all the X-Titles for the last 3-4 years. Have to say I was surprised. The main key points of the story are really wrapping up the "hatred for mutants" story that has been going on for years within the core titles and introduce a change from the "No More Mutants" status quo that has become synonymous with the X-Men books.

In typical event fashion my one complaint is too much dialogue and too little story over waaaaay too many issues. This has become the event death knell. Felt the same way with Blackest Night, Secret Invasion, and several other stories. Here's to hoping that Marvel and DC are learning to streamline storytelling to get to the core and the tale and stop weighing us down in fluff.

But in the end this story comes together well. It really starts a new direction for the mutants (vampires which I'm not going to pass judgement on yet but...meh) that is promised with every major storyline. They are heroes now. In the eyes of a lot of the world. Cyclops comes into his own even if I don't agree with a lot of his decisions. Wolverine takes the reigns of X-Force with a strong team I can't wait to read. And best yet...Hope is not a waste of character. In fact she was used to her fullest...though I'm sad to see Cable go...again.

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That is all. Have a great weekend all.

J...

For real this time...

It is very little time before I leave for as much as 3 months this year. I'm doing my summer job and this year I have to be honest: I would rather stay. There is one reason in particular but I've decided this maybe being my last blog for a while I would share more of what is going on in my life.

Over these last 5 months I've been working an internship here in town. I love this job. I love the people I work for, I love the work (video), and I love that it is helping me realize that after years of fighting it Bend is where I belong. I've had the honor of working with people from all walks of life in Central Oregon and the Northwest since starting and this is something I could see turn into a real career. And in November it just might as the internship will be over and we've talked about me coming on as a full employee of the company. I couldn't be more excited to work for Matt and Pinnacle.

In this time I'm lost and hurt a lot too. Recently one of the best friends I could have had seems to have walked away. With that and losing Heather this year (with her suicide) this was looking to be an all-time winner in the worst year I could possibly have. Relationships mean a lot to me and even though my words hurt them sometimes my heart is in it to keep things going and keep them strong. With this and my health having ups and downs, which is nothing new, I could just write this all off.

But somethings have happened. I've met some great friends that even though we don't like or do that same things, we have a solid relationship not based on similar interests but on good people spending time with good people. I've also become acquainted with someone that is becoming to mean quite a lot in my life. This person has been the one thing that has held me together and made me feel sane...and my face hurt from laughing and smiling so much. In all they've been God's gift to me this year and I'm much better for them being around. One of my best friends without a doubt. And that is all I'm going to say on that now.

Needless to say I'm going to miss you all. Other good things to report: I've lost 65 lbs since last June. I'm sober almost 8 years now which I'm really excited about. I love Apple and have drank the Kool-aid. And lastly...well...I'm going to miss you all. I'll be sure to write as soon as I get back. And until then...know I love most of ya. And the ones I don't...well...there's always when I return. LOL

Much Love

Jack

Believe Your Busy

Haven't done this in a while...

I'd step aside

To know you

If only in one breath

Finds tragedies and victories

immense

For in life I'll find

These moments

In time I'll find

This place

Where stop means go

I just don't know

How not to

Die in place

For thoughts

So wrapped around me

A glimpse at

Something new

And when its still

And in its place

All thats left

Is memories of you

My new book has me reflecting. On life. Evolution. What the day to day will look like in 10, 20, even 50 years from now. I think of my Cousin and Uncle. The path's that their lives have taken. The ever evolving world of commerce where we are on a constant hunt to "get ours" which means drastic change in what was once just the accepted career field. And now...to the point.

I don't think big business will win. I don't think the powers that be will finally find that all crushing moment where we all become weak and subservient. The coming generation and even mine has shown me that. We are not willing to accept their collar and leash lying down. So this goes out to you corporation. We are coming for what you have because that which you do not give freely we will take through creative innovation.

The Grouch lately has been constantly on my playlist. Whether you are a hip hop fan or not this guy is seriously a legitimate auteur. The simple words "the grower in the hills with the crop" are really what have burgeoned this vision of bourgeois society rising up. Marijuana cultivation has become much more than a bunch of aimless hippies in the hills growing to get high. It has become a culture of taking a stance against the norm by simply doing. In the simple act of separating themselves from the daily rat race these and people in the hip hop and progressive rock cultures, art community, and many other avenues have said, "We will not lie still and take it."

That puts a smile on my face...and the fact that I have a visitor. She is pretty incredible. :) Much love all and have a great 4th.

J...