http://dailyponders.com/ taking life one day at a time. en-us Nucleus CMS v3.32 © Weblog http://backend.userland.com/rss http://dailyponders.com//nucleus/nucleus2.gif http://dailyponders.com/ http://dailyponders.com/index.php?itemid=150
1. Pay off my car repairs.
I crashed my car in the beginning of December. It was rainy, and slippery, and my brakes decided to not listen to me that day. I hit a curb where the rainwater drain was (metal edges) at about 25-30 miles an hour. Completely f*cked up my wheel - popped the tire, shifter the axle, demolished my breakpads - everything. After towing, materials, and servicework, there's about $1,500 worth to pay off. Bummer. Considering that I make enough money to pay for necessities and luxuries, and still put away money for savings, I can probably pay the bill off by around June. That'll be my first goal for 2009.

2. Get a second job.
That'll help me with #1.

3. Quit certain bad habits.
I don't want to get into the details, but there are certain things that get in the way of my daily life that I want to eliminate, so I decided to put that on my list of New Years' resolution. What are your bad habits? Comment :)

4. Go on an adventure.
I want to have an unforgettable adventure over the summer. Whether a weeklong trip to the beach, or going camping somewhere with my friends, or wasting days away with the best crew - I want to do something that'll come back to memory as the most awesome trip I've ever had. Or maybe throw a huge party and wild out - something along those lines.

5. Not get any tickets.
I'm getting $600 back on my insurance premium if I remain ticket-free until November of 2009. That would certainly be nice, especially for the holiday season of 2009. All the nice stuff I can do / buy for people with six hundred bucks! It's totally worth not getting pulled over; plus the fact that it reduces my risk of getting in an accident and f*cking up my car even more, or getting seriously hurt in one (I can't even hit the front passenger-side wheel anymore, because of how much the axle is already bent).

Those are my 5. It's funny to look back in time to see what my New Years' Resolutions were in 2006. Even my writing style changed so much! Here's a copy >> paste of my "myspace blog" (woooow):

001 :: Acquire a 3.6 GPA or higher
002 :: Complete Algebra 2 with all A's to get back on the GT track in 10th grade so that I can skip a course and go straight into Pre-Calc GT
003 :: Fix my C in English 9 Honors to maintain at least a B average throughout the year (hence, get an A second quarter, then rest are B's)
004 :: Make the most out of summer and have fun although I doubt I'm going to Russia
005 :: Get a higher-paying job
006 :: Not get suspended at school
007 :: Lose some god damn weight
008 :: Start a profitable web-site or business

Let's see how many of those I've accomplished.

001. I got a 3.43GPA. Not quite 3.6. FAIL
002. I had one A my first quarter and three Bs the remaining quarters. FAIL
003. I did get that B average. Although I didn't get an A in my second quarter, I still pulled off a B average. SUCCESS
004. My summer 2007 was pretty boring. 2008 was where it's at. FAIL
005. I did, I work for a different company that pays me about 8-fold of what I used to get in 2006. SUCCESS
006. I meant home suspension at that point in time. I did get in-school suspension for pissing off a teacher though. So... SUCCESS
007. Pfft, SIKE, I gained like 5 pounds that year. FAIL
008. Didn't start a business, but I do make a considerable amount of income online. So I'm just gonna consider it a FAIL

As you can see, it doesn't look like I'm consistent in making my goals come true. That's... not good, to say the least. 3 out of 8. That's a 37.5% success ratio.

Sounds like my Calculus test scores.]]> General http://dailyponders.com/index.php?itemid=150 Mon, 29 Dec 2008 15:05:11 -0400 http://dailyponders.com/index.php?itemid=148 previous post. It wasn't explicitly stated, but any rationally thinking human would know that my proposed "solutions" were just unattainable - and thus I showed how unrealistic of a goal it is to win ALL of these "wars" we're fighting. I've already covered the economic crisis, the war on drugs, the war on terror, universal health care, and teen pregnancies.This time I will dissect illegal immigration, education, poverty and faith.

Illegal Immigration

Pinata

We can't wholeheartedly say that we don't like illegal immigrants when we keep employing them. That's like that Simpsons episode, where Homer had a pet lobster that he ended up cooking and eating through tears. Similarly, we say, "gone with the aliens!" yet we keep paying them 4 bucks an hour to do jobs for us. After medical treatment or legal proceedings, not all illegal immigrants are deported back to their home countries, either. So what do we do? Plan A: deport everyone. Plan B: stop complaining about illegal immigrants. Since Plan B seems like too costly of a project - homeland security is at stake, taxpayers' money is wasted, national integrity is afflicted - Plan A remains the best option. Everyone found without legal status in the US - go back home, no exceptions. Doesn't it sound like this is the way it should be?

Education

High School Musical

Lowering passing scores isn't OK. Those tests are easy as pie, and people STILL fail them. Something's wrong with students in this country. Maybe it's the MTV'd work ethic of "I don't care" and "Whatever," or perhaps the problem lies closer than that: home. Education, primarily, should start at home. Besides paying for nice private schools, parents can also lead by example. That means saying "don't smoke, it's bad for you" and not smoking. That means trying to get your kid to strive to become the best he can, while mom and dad do the same. Without this kind of approach to education in America, we'll slowly become a useless cesspool of uselessness, which we're on a slow path to already. You can't DO education TO people - you need to have people reach out for it. So stop blaming the government that the "education is poor" - the education is fine, it's simply not SOLELY the government's job to make your kid smart.

Poverty

We Need Food

Oh, yes, poverty - what a touchy subject. I have to watch what I say now, because we're talking about poor people, no? Perhaps, a bit of a messed up intro, but hopefully it gets my sarcastic point across.

America - the land of the free, home of the brave, a country of equality. Equality. We like that word, "equality." Let's have everyone be the same. Reality check, people: everyone is NOT the same. They never have been, and never will be. There will always be social classes, and if you're not in the one you want to be in, you've got to work hard to get there. I'd like to rephrase that first sentence of this paragraph, because I think of America as a land of opportunity. You are given the CHANCE to become whatever you want to be, but equality to others won't be handed to you. And it shouldn't be; if I work hard and achieve the most I can, why should a lazy person get to my success without all the work? It's not the government's job to do that. So how do you address the problem of poverty? Empower people to become educated. Give every generation an OPPORTUNITY to get out of their strife. If you don't like living poor, then you'll do something to get out of it; go to school, get a job, save money, buy better things, afford a nicer living. If you like living poor - then that's fine too. Just do whatever you have to do to do you.

Faith

Religion

I think people should be able to pray to whoever they want, and practice whatever faith they'd like, without any persecution. That being said, I think religious persecution should be illegal to the point where people get jail time if they speak out against other faiths. Freedom of speech? I'd group anti-religious activity along with libel and slander. Except government-enforced. Of course, this would make me a criminal in my own world (I proposed banning Islam to make a point), but hey - you've got to do what you've got to do if you want to get issues resolved.

Those have been my thoughts on the issues. Tell me yours in the comments.]]> General http://dailyponders.com/index.php?itemid=148 Wed, 24 Dec 2008 12:24:22 -0400 http://dailyponders.com/index.php?itemid=146 USPS Fail
Spotted in Columbia, MD

]]> General http://dailyponders.com/index.php?itemid=146 Fri, 12 Dec 2008 17:47:23 -0400 http://dailyponders.com/index.php?itemid=144
digg_url = 'http://dailyponders.com/index.php?itemid=144';



Contrary to Niko's claim in Grand Theft Auto 4, life isn't complicated at all. It's just a decades-long exercise teaching you how to simplify things.

Break stuff down
Like a huge packet of stuff to fill out in college classes or high school, life can throw a lot of things atcha. How do you manage it all? Break it down into sections. What would a book be without chapters? You would have to guide yourself as to where to pause, where to pick up and continue reading, etc; that would require a lot of effort: memorizing the last page, summarizing in your head what's been covered so far, and more. Now, imagine a book without chapters, paragraph indentations, page numbers, or punctuation. Just text. That's how hectic your life can get some times. You have to manage to put it into consumable, "eatable" portions.

Do one thing at a time
In your book of life, do the punctuation first. Then, break it up into paragraphs. Once you have paragraphs, read over it and see where it'd be suitable to place chapters. After all's done, numerate the pages. Of course, this is just an analogy, but it's one that works. You have to do the prep work before you dig in and read it.

You might ask, but what's the point of reading a book if you just went through and revised it?

You may have just gone over all the stuff in your "book", but do you really comprehend it? After all, life CAN be complicated, but it doesn't HAVE TO BE. Make it simple, then live it.

This can be applied to any problem. For example, here are my life's current issues:

• My grades aren't too good (I need to bring some C's up)


• I crashed my car


• I have poor study skills - I hate fact memorization


• I need a new cell phone


• I'm taking too much crap from people

Wouldn't it be easier to make a list for yourself, break it up, and solve it one issue at a time? I think that's the way to go.

What are your issues? Comment.]]> General http://dailyponders.com/index.php?itemid=144 Fri, 12 Dec 2008 12:34:43 -0400 http://dailyponders.com/index.php?itemid=142
digg_url = 'http://dailyponders.com/index.php?itemid=142';



America's gotten to be this century's most hypocritical country. Granted, we've had wars and problems and social unrest and other BS before, but combined with this economic crisis, election controversies, and failed policies of the previous decade, we're really pushing it. On the chart of hypocrisy, America's probably topping everyone at #1 spot. We're fighting a war on drugs without punishing drug dealers. We're fighting a war on terrorism while allowing a freedom of religion. We're trying to push for universal healthcare while managing a $10 trillion deficit. Hell, $1 trillion is a lot of money, but at this point it doesn't matter if someone confuses their numbers and says $11 trillion or $9 trillion - it's still a hell of a lot.

Here's how to solve America's problems.

Economic Crisis

In debt? So are a lot of American industries. The auto industry is in the news lately, but they're not the only ones affected. Cars aren't the only things people spend less money on when they have less cash to spend. So don't feel bad about owing $5k on your credit cards: these companies are millions of dollars in debt.

How do you solve the economic crisis? Let the companies collapse. Let the free market solve everything. Capitalism will prevail - always have, always will.

War on Drugs

How can you fight the war on drugs without checking every package coming into the country from every other country? You can't say that you're fighting drugs, and not put drug dealers in prison. Drug cartels existed, exist, and will exist, for as long as people seek pleasures out of life. Which, last time I checked, will be forever - hence, the meaning of life.

How do you win the war on drugs? Lock people up. Possession of a gram of bud? Go to jail, do not pass go, do not collect $200. Restrict welfare money to certain purchases, or control what it gets spent on. A kid selling coke on the corner of Main & 1st shouldn't be let out with a fine, or even probation, to sell bud the next day on the the corner of Main & 2nd. Another solution is to legalize light drugs, which will take care of a LOT of unnecessary spending, thus putting money back into the government. Whichever route is easier to take is hard to tell at this point.

War on Terror

Have you traveled by air recently? Ever seen an American family get detained at a check point, while Arab-looking people - whether tourists or citizens - pass face control with no problems? I have. And that sounds like bullshit to me. Honestly, call me biased, but that makes me scared to go on a plane. That being said, you can't possibly be fighting a war on terror and promise equality and justice and fairness to all people.

How do you win the war on terror? Ban Islam. Cruel - true. Unfair - possibly. But that has to be the price of getting rid of terrorists. In return, American airports will be able to sell their million-dollar machines (thus boosting their cashflow, of course, which is always good for the economy). Any Muslim spotted would be arrested and sent to jail. Of course, this would never ever ever happen, because everyone is guaranteed freedom of religion. But you have to pick one road or the other - you can't have it both ways: fighting terrorism AND provide equality. It just doesn't work.

Universal Healthcare

Here's a simple one: you just can't have it. You can't spend more money on stuff when you already owe money on other stuff. Solution to universal healthcare? You can't have it. Not now, not in 2010, not in 2015. The mess we're in right now will take decades to resolve, so if you're once again all for equality, you're going to have to wait. My government teacher always said in regards to stating arguments: "If you're in a hole, stop digging." Very true in this case.

Teen pregnancies

Teens have always had sex before the age of consent. Screw 18 - I'm talking 14, 15, 16. Although age of consent is different in every state, it doesn't matter if you're 18 or 38 if you don't know what NOT to do to NOT get pregnant.

How do you reduce teen pregnancies? Federally fund contraceptive education. While some states still teach abstinence-only birth control methods, kids still mess around. Let 'em mess around - just teach them how to do it safely. The rest is parents' business - the ethics and morals that they teach their children will determine much of how their life goes anyways, and that doesn't bypass sexuality. Parents - teach your kids well.

What point am I trying to make?

We're a nation of hypocrites. We promise equality, the best democracy in the world, the best standard of living, etc etc. Up until recently, yes, it's been so. But I'm worried about what life has in store for us in the near decade - hell, the next 3-4 years alone!

We can't be fighting terrorists and approve of people who look like terrorists. The police can't beat up people for selling pot at midnight and let them off on probation in the morning. We can't promise free doctors and bailouts to companies and a decrease in teen pregnancies without money and dedicated teachers who lead by example and address problems head on. We need to stop beating around the bush and being the nice society that we are. Soft language is getting old; everyone's starting to feel the consequences of us bullshitting ourselves.

Let's all wake up, people.]]> General http://dailyponders.com/index.php?itemid=142 Mon, 8 Dec 2008 10:07:28 -0400 http://dailyponders.com/index.php?itemid=140
This site is also great for those who like discovering new great techno songs often: http://techno-songs.com

What kind of music do YOU like, and why? Comment.]]> General http://dailyponders.com/index.php?itemid=140 Sat, 6 Dec 2008 13:30:43 -0400 http://dailyponders.com/index.php?itemid=137
digg_url = 'http://dailyponders.com/index.php?itemid=137';



Today during lunch, someone at the table asked someone else if they believed in Santa Claus. When that person said "No," a shock wave went around the table as we all scorned that guy for his disbelief. We stated that we don't believe, but KNOW that Santa is real, without a doubt. It was all fun and games. But then I thought, if REALLY real, what implications would Santa have on the world economy had he been alive?

Santa skiing

Let's see. There's 6.5x10^9 people living in the world. Let's assume that 20% of them are legit, Christmas present getting citizens. That's 1.3*10^9 people. That's 1.3 billion gift recipients. Now, for round numbers' sake, lets exclude all expensive toys like game systems and Furreal Friends Biscuits and all that cute crap, and say that we got the same $10 gift for everyone. EVERY single kid in the world got the same $10 gift. What would happen to the economy?

Don't forget that this is 13 billion dollars that we're talking about. That's almost a bailout. $13 billion pumped right into the pockets of toy makers; out of Santa's pocket. But in our case Santa doesn't do accounting, so we may as well call it free money.

Christmas morning - the stock market explodes with Hasbro's profits.

January 1st - a huge stimulus package is distributed in the form of toys. The world economy is shaken.
January 2nd - stock markets plummet as money is devalued. DOW falls 4,300 points.
January 3rd - thousands of accounting errors on ledgers of hundreds of companies lead to instability amongst investors and CEO's.
January 4th - FOREX lag causes world currency trade to create a $500 million deficit.
January 5th - George Bush enacts martial law to "get things under control."
January 7th - Beijing is annihilated by an accidental "training" missile during a "practice mission" to destroy Fisher Price's leading toy factory in China.
January 8th - Barack Obama is assassinated.
January 20th - George Bush is President for a 3rd term.
January 21st - the world protests this bullshit by boycotting the majority of import into United States by hiking export taxes to 666%
January 22nd - Jesus comes.
January 23rd - $1 USD = $0,31 CAD.
January 25th - Santa's home melts; global climate is out of control.
January 27th - global financial collapse; alcohol and drugs jump in price for those grieving.
January 30th - world ends.

Evil Santa

As you can see, the outcome of a real Santa would be unbearable. We can't handle free gifts on that large of a scale.

Get to shoppin'.]]> General http://dailyponders.com/index.php?itemid=137 Thu, 4 Dec 2008 10:08:20 -0400 http://dailyponders.com/index.php?itemid=135 Screenshot

*** Please note: All sessions are recorded for quality control. ***
You: Hello, thank you for helping me tonight
You: Quick question
A. S. Mohammad M (Tutor): Welcome to Tutor.com! How can I help you today?
You: f(x) = x + 2cos(x) [0, 2Pi]
A. S. Mohammad M (Tutor): did I help you before tonight?
You: I need to find the critical numbers
You: I also need to find how the graph looks when y = f'(x) and y=f""(x)
You: No, not tonight - I've used Live Help a few weeks ago, though.
A. S. Mohammad M (Tutor): ok
A. S. Mohammad M (Tutor): do you have some idea about this problem?
You: Well I already did it, but got it wrong
You: Here is how I solved it, but I got points off (so I'm doing corrections now):
You: CN:
You: -2Sin(x) + 1 = 0
A. S. Mohammad M (Tutor): ok
You: -2sin(x) = -1
You: sin(X) = .5
A. S. Mohammad M (Tutor): can you please show me your work?
You: x = Pi/6
You: Then:
You: f(0) = 1
A. S. Mohammad M (Tutor): GREAT work
You: f(Pi/6) = 0
You: f(2Pi) = 1
A. S. Mohammad M (Tutor): can you please use the board?
You: I got 0 out of 5 on this problem - do you know why?
You: Sure
A. S. Mohammad M (Tutor): it asked you to find the critical value, right?
You: It asked to find critical numbers, extrema and points of inflection
You: And I also have to graph
You: y = f'(x)
You: and
You: y = f"(x)
You: Did I at least find my critical numbers right? It seems right to me still
You: Hello?
You: Are you there?
You: A. S. Mohammad M?
You: Hello??
You: This is some bullshit.]]> General http://dailyponders.com/index.php?itemid=135 Tue, 2 Dec 2008 23:52:10 -0400 http://dailyponders.com/index.php?itemid=133 http://digg.com/people/Bud_Facts then follow the link
(make sure you digg it!)

Makes me wonder if marijuana is all that bad? I mean, we hear about it in the news (not as much nowadays, but still); it's a controversial topic, indeed. I heard on CNN the other day, two news commentators arguing over whether or not Obama will push for legalization of weed. I think that would be a worthy discussion to have if there wasn't so much other stuff on our plate. But seriously: would you legalize it if you were Congress? Think about it, how long have we been knowing more facts about marijuana. Pot is less harmful than alcohol and tobacco, and the "fact" that it's a gateway drug is a tale left for high school health classes. In reality, all people seek pleasure from things, so if drinking is one of them, why isn't smoking a plant one, also? It leaves no permanent damage on the brain, like alcohol does on liver. Makes you lazy, sure, but doesn't tobacco?

On the flip side, there are bad things that weed can do. For me, personally, and foremost - unproductivity. What good are you chillin' on the couch watching cartoons? Although you don't harm anyone, you do nothing to help anyone, either. I hate being unproductive. Even if I was, I would so much rather spend time with friends and hang out and be unproductive than smoke weed and chill by myself. Again, that's just my opinion. But one fact is that it may ruin your relationships; with friends, family, and loved ones. Yet it wouldn't be a problem if more people were more accepting of bud and not categorizing it as a "dangerous substance" or a drug.

So is it worth it? That's a personal choice for all to answer themselves.]]> General http://dailyponders.com/index.php?itemid=133 Mon, 1 Dec 2008 03:07:22 -0400 http://dailyponders.com/index.php?itemid=132 General http://dailyponders.com/index.php?itemid=132 Sat, 29 Nov 2008 11:11:19 -0400