My wishes for 2011

As I sit at the Apple Store, waiting to see someone to help me fix my hard drive issue that I created, I thought I'd sample the Mac Book Pro by writing a blog entry....

My wishes for the New Year:

a) I can finally find a job that is financially and professionally rewarding, and I feel like I am an active contributor;

b) However, I need the patience to wait till April to figure out which path I must follow;

c) I need to figure my way out of the financial disaster that NOT getting the OP gig created;

d) I need to figure out how to stimulate my inner artist, until I can get the hell out of Orlando;

e) Start writing sketches and short stories more often;

f) Not be afraid to speak my mind about things, though people think I'm way too candid and opinionated already;

g) Temper the above with the skills to be empathetic, diplomatic and tactful;

h) Get the hell out of my current job at WDW, and do something different, whether it is actually staying with the company, OR leaving completely;

i) Find constructive ways to motivate myself towards fitness and weight loss, and help Alan do the same;

j) Humble myself and be more grateful for what I have, and not be regretful about what I don't.

2010 really SUCKED for me, as you read my blog posts. I pray that 2011 will be tons better all around, for me and everyone else in my world.

Happy New Year everyone!

Universal Orlando

If a Team Member, by the name of Grant tells you to shut up, and you report it to guest relations, what actually happens?

My visit to USF was less than stellar. We both wanted to see the new Harry Potter experience. Took us 3 hours to get into the area, then to discover that it will take another 90 minutes to actually ride the ride. Fucking liars!

Grant was the rude motherfucker that told us to shut up, wouldn't try to solve the problems, and added "If you came back after the weekend, you wouldn't have this problem." That's not the point, dumbass, but you had it in your mind that you didn't care about another guest bitching about their experience.

The butterbeer soothed my anger a bit. Yum!

It reminds me of why Disney does things so much better.

To my friend Kate Singleton

My dear Kate, my heart breaks at the news. You were called home way too soon. However, I am glad that you were part of my life, and am grateful for all the support you gave me. Hoping you're at the eternal coffee shop attached to a grand theatre, having a latte and basking in the afterglow of your debut on the celestial stage.

I will miss you, like many others. I regret playing the coffeehouse tag we've been playing throughout the years, though we both understand that we were going through our own personal dark periods, had other priorities, and moving on in the quest for survival. Dammit, I still owe you a cell phone!

This isn't good-bye, we'll see each other in the next life, where perhaps we'll be cats enacting the feline version of Cats. I had hoped that we would work on a production or two, but that's what the afterlife is for.

My love to you, sweetheart.

From the Dalai Lama

Today, the values of democracy, open society, respect for human rights, and equality are becoming recognized all over the world as universal values. To my mind there is an intimate connection between democratic values, such as transparency, the rule of law and freedom of information, and the fundamental values of human goodness.

LXB/Liu Small Wave Tribute

This by far, one of the more memorable photos from 2010.

Liu Xiaobo's empty chair, along with his award and metal. His picture is in the background.

Instead of a speech, actress/director Liv Ullmann read from one of his writings:

I have no enemies and no hatred. Hatred can rot away at a person’s intelligence and conscience. Enemy mentality will poison the spirit of a nation, incite cruel mortal struggles, destroy a society’s tolerance and humanity, and hinder a nation’s progress toward freedom and democracy. That is why I hope to be able to transcend my personal experiences as I look upon our nation’s development and social change, to counter the regime’s hostility with utmost goodwill, and to dispel hatred with love.

The Central Government referred to LXB's award as a farce, its awarders clowns, and is delusional in its belief that the world supports this, when in reality, 16 countries ultimately chose to support the Chinese boycott, probably out of fear of what the Central Government would do with relations between them and affected countries, and as not to offend the Central Government.

The Central Government needs to learn these lessons: a) the more you yell and scream, the more you make jackasses of yourselves. Are you trying to learn techniques from North Korea?; b) they are bullies that cannot tolerate dissent, even though it is part of the Party principles; c) the world is watching, so learn to play fair with the world and your people, and d) the sooner you realize that you are a bunch of hypocrites and liars, just like you accuse the west of being, the faster you can correct your mistakes.

I write this, hoping that this will make it through the censors when people search through this seemingly innocuous blog post, they will be able to read the truth, and not what the Central Government wants them to think.

I have no problem with the Chinese. See my Facebook page, filled with friends and people I have worked with in the past. I have issues with the Government and the people who have the power and control.

We No Speak Americano ft. Cleary & Harding

Another way to think about global warming

If an island state vanishes, is it still a nation?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101206/ap_on_sc/climate_disappearing_nations

Is Wikileaks right?

In light of Wikileaks, I say this:

We as a nation of individuals deserve to know the truth, and demand transparency, but at what cost?

I think at the risk of damaging relationships between diplomats and the countries they service, leaders and their PERSONAL opinions being aired, state secrets being revealed, intelligence gatherers risking their lives to get such information, I think it is too high of a cost.

There is a reason why such things are state secrets, why personal opinions should be held as confidential information, and why certain things should never be aired in public view. Wikileaks undermines trust, credibility and relationships. It's ridiculous that one should seek transparency at the cost of such things.

Yes, the truth shall set us free. However, there are certain things best left unsaid, or better yet, kept secret. In this case, it is an excellent example how ignorance is bliss.

The fact that servers, PayPal, DNS sites, governments, etc., are cutting off this organization is a message, loud and clear, that such sharing of information is dangerous and irresponsible. Just like those who demand accountability, Wikileaks should be held accountable for their actions. Let's emphasise how it endangers relationships, people, and governments by such reckless divulging of information. It's like telling a husband telling his wife that he has a life altering secret. It is definitely something one doesn't discuss unless needed.

After the smoke has cleared, perhaps this will do the world some good. But the cynical part of me thinks that it won't solve the problems the world is currently trying to solve, rather, it will make matters worse because of the air of mistrust will be so severe, it will take years to undo the damage this has caused.

Here's food for thought....

Central Government, take heed. You must stop thinking that your way is the correct way. It is every nations' business to make their neighbors accountable for their actions, it is not just solely your internal affairs.

From Reuters:

Rights abuses show China will not be a true leader: sources
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6B400520101205

The Bear Wit Project - Blair Witch Parody by the Muppets