Things I Learned This Week (Oct. 20-26)

It was another exciting week for me. Days off were productive and work days weren't too cumbersome. But above all, I learned more about myself and this world we live in. This week, I learned that...

--Gas prices are lower now than they were last year at this time
--The economy can't be that bad if the RNC can spend $150,000 on clothes alone
--Joe Biden's idea of a test for Barack Obama's is a terrorist threat. As if the economy wasn't a big enough threat
--Ohio University Football + National TV audience = Embarrassment
--Picking against the spread in the NFL can be the most frustrating thing in life
--Life without internet is a very depressing one
--The creator/writers of LOST are brilliant but also a bit wacky in the head
--Political commercials get real old real quick. Especially ones from people I can't even vote for
--The weather in Georgia can get as cold as the weather in Ohio...who knew?
--Rain can move high school football games to a day before, a day after, or the next week
--I may be turning into Jared from Subway. I'm getting obsessed.

That's all for this week. Have a happy Halloween week!

The LOST Chronicles: Season 1

Here's the deal. I've dodged watching the show LOST for a long time now. First, I had the excuse of missing the first few episodes so I couldn't follow the story. Then, I mentioned that I hated shows like it (though there hasn't been any like it). And finally, I just decided it was too late to jump in now going into Season 5 and really enjoy it.

Well, after years of prodding from some friends in Ohio and constant raves about the show, I told myself I would try to catch up, especially since I have a lot of down time here in Augusta. Si with the help of a co-worker and his LOST DVD collection, I am watching every episode of every season in preparation of the Season 5 debut in January.

So what do I think after Season 1?

Well, no doubt I am intrigued. I have always been a sucker for big disaster movies (Twister, The Day After Tomorrow, Independence Day, etc...) so the pilot definitely had me going. From there, it's been a little up and down.

I love the way they concentrate on one character's story each episode, especially because I really don't know anything about these random people on this island. So with each episode, I love wondering who I am going to learn more about. The thing is, some characters and their stories are just downright boring/annoying.

I like Jack, the doctor who is used to being a hero so tries to do that all the time. Understood considering his profession. Big fan of Charlie as well. Funny and emotional but not really good for anything on the island. Sawyer is great for a good one-liner though his act is even starting get old.

Locke is an enigma for me. At times, he is the best character on the show. At other times, he gives me a headache. But considering the stuff he's had to deal with in his life, I'll cut him a break. But my favorite character is Sayid. I've always liked thinkers (Donatello was my favorite Nina Turtle) and that's what he is. Not to mention he's the only one gettin' a little lovin' on the side.

Hurley was a favorite of mine until the Numbers episode. Now, he just is a paranoid fat guy that for some reason, goes on these treks despite his slow speed and excessive weight. Michael and Walt can both leave the show anytime. Walt annoys the heck outta me and in turn, makes me hate Michael. So if Walt never comes back from those mysterious guys, I wouldn't mind. I know they are the only prominent Black people on the show but really, go away.

Shannon is the type of person I wouldn't hang out with so I don't like her. She's been pretty much worthless besides her shoddy French. Boone was a cool guy though I got kinda tired of his "protecting Shannon" attitude. Claire has been through a lot so I feel bad for her. Sun is fine when she speaks English. Jin needs to learn soon because I get real tired of seeing him talk to others as if they will understand him. Just frustrating.

But above all, I don't like Kate. She's trying to be Wonder Woman all the time and in all honesty, it bugs the heck out of me. She's like that little kid that always want to go where her older brothers are going. One time, I just want her to not want to do something.

As far as the story so far, I like where the show is going. It is doing a great job of leading up to the fact there the tail section has some survivors as well, as seen by Ana Lucia popping up in the final episode of Season 1. Not to mention also the Black lady consistently saying her husband is alive. How the two will react when they meet up is what I can't wait for.

The hatch could be a good storyline as well, though I don't really understand why these people want to open it. The "Others" would have killed these people by now if they cared so I don't see the reason to open the hatch. But just like a scary movie, leave it up to the brave White guy/girl to go into the darkness because they are "curious". You'll notice you never see a Black character do that in movies because we know better.

So what do I think is coming up? I don't have a frickin clue. I am watching this show with no expectations because I know just how crazy it is and will get later so I'm just gonna take it one show at a time. The numbers keep popping up but I'm not too concerned about that. The "security system" makes no sense to me, just like those boaters who take Walt. Plus, never found out what that wire was.

So yeah, I'm not gonna over-think the show. I'm just gonna go into Season 2 feeling LOST...pun intended.

SEASON ONE GRADE: B+

Things I Learned This Week (Oct. 13-19)

So I thought while I am here in Augusta doing my whole job thing, I could provide you all with some valuable things that I have learned while living in the South. Some of these will be very serious while others will be...well, true but funny.

There will be no limit to how many things I include. I will try and do this every Sunday night when the week is over. Hope you enjoy.

For the week of 10/13-10/19, I learned that...

...waking up to go work out when you don't have to work until 2:30pm is not easy
...there is a Karaoke Channel on demand on Comcast, and it's kinda fun
...Midnight Madness is fun but probably more fun at a bigger school
...winning the million dollars on Wheel of Fortune is possible...apparently construction on an apartment building gets done faster when you take Monday and Tuesday off instead of working a full week
...parents need to watch their kids at the park closer so that I don't find a little girl sitting on the men's urinal like it's a toilet
...6 episodes of LOST in one day is enough to make your head hurt
...John McCain makes some funny faces when he disagrees with stuff...when drinks are 5 cents each, it can only lead to interesting behavior
...the Red Sox never say die even when you scream at them over and over to do it
...rain kills any tailgate party and a television live shot
...the drive to Athens, GA is just as boring as the drive to Athens, OH
...the University of Georgia is definitely a place I could see myself having a good college experience at
...wake-up calls from friends who just wanna check up on you isn't that bad
...helium balloons can casue a whole NFL stadium to lose power
...there are people who actually like Joe Buck as an announcer
...the Red Sox are not invincible
...Entourage may be in the middle of its best season yetPlenty more to be learned next week. In the words of one of my favorite professors, "Onward".

Campaign 2008: Matt Barnes Edition

I'm not Republican and I'm not Democrat. I am a registered Independent and I love it. I get mail from both parties, stating their case for why they deserve my vote. I get e-mail from the McCain and Obama's campaign, both always asking me to give money that I'd rather give to a charity than towards a commercial that I am forced to watch over and over again. And most of all, I try not to force my political views on others, mainly because I speak in generalities and not specifics (kinda like politicians).

So I'm not writing this post to convince you to vote for anyone. I honestly don't care who you vote for. Great thing about America is that we even get to choose. Ever since I been able to understand these presidential elections, I've always had a preference of who I wanted to win but in the end when all the votes were in and Dan Rather had put down his pen, I just wanted the winner to bring about prosperity to the USA.

Well, don't think anyone will argue with me to say Dubya has been a less than stellar President. And he wasn't my pick the past 2 elections. But again, I wanted him to do well. I liked him during 9/11 and that's it. The best part about Dubya is the fact that he is such an embarrassment in public that it makes for great comedy. I'm actually gonna miss the guy for that reason.

But on to this election. It's between a Republican, Sen. John McCain, I've always admired and respected and a Democrat, Sen. Barack Obama, who I think has a bright political future. Their respective running mates also are intriguing. The Republican, Gov. Sarah Palin, is an up-and-comer in her party but fairly unknown and the Democrat, Sen. Joe Biden, who I said in the primary I would vote for if I knew he had a chance to actually win the nomination.

I watched all 4 debates and just like 4 years ago, they were only exciting when I had a beer in my hand. Just to take the edge off of hearing both men talk about what they would do even though we all know good and well only 25% of it will get done. This year, the debates were lopsided since Barack Obama is a better speaker but the third debate was the best of them all. Both candidates putting it all on the table and even being combative at times. It was pretty good TV.

But forget all the debates and issues for a second. Or at least I will right now. Why? Because I've already voted. And I voted for Barack Obama. Not gonna go into specifics into why I did but I'll just be general and say I think he'll do the better job. But I'm not gonna lie, when I colored in that bubble next to his name on my ballot, it really hit me what I was doing.

In the primary, it wasn't a big deal to me. When I watched the convention, it came to mind a little bit. But until I filled in that oval, it really hit me. I just voted for a Black guy for President. For awhile, I thought it was something that I never thought I would do in my lifetime. Until I hit college, I figured it may happen. But never did I think as a 22-year old, I would see it come to fruition.

And when I stepped back and thought about it, I really thought about just how big a deal this is. Now, I know 90% of my friends are white and I've never gone through a civil rights movement. Heck, I've never been blatantly discriminated against because of my race (to my knowledge) so far in my life. But yet, voting for a Black president meant a lot to me. It just shows me how far America has come. It gives me hope that someday racism will become a mute point. That race will not be an issue in anything ever again. Yeah, these are high hopes but who would have thought that we would have a Black president on the ballot right now.

Now, I've said for a long time that the first Black president elected will be the next President assassinated. For the life of me, I hope that's not the case because I don't want to live through that. It would be a giant step backwards for America and the biggest national tragedy since 9/11 (apologies to Hurricane Katrina).

If Barack Obama gets elected, it will be a great moment for this nation. Again, not because he is the better candidate (not for me to say), but because it is such an inspiration. Let's be serious. The Black race has had it tough in America and while there have been incredible strides for Blacks and all minorities, there still is work to do. But seeing Barack Obama make it this far has already inspired many and seeing him in the White House would inspire many more. He's already inspired me and I'm proud and honored to say that I voted for him for President of the United States.

The pundits and candidates keep saying this is the most pivotal election in our recent history. Well, as much I want to believe that, I still think 2000 was bigger. But if this is, I'm just glad that I can be a part of it. 4 years ago, I voted for John Kerry in my first ever vote for a President. Not gonna lie, was a bit disappointed when he lost because my pick didn't win. But this is a new year. And as my friend Luke most eloquently put, "just mailed my absentee ballot today - this time i better pick the winner".

MAKE SURE YOU VOTE!

Sarah Palin's Finest Moments So Far

This is what I was afraid of when John McCain tabbed Sarah Palin as his running mate. Think about it people...do you want this person to be in the second highest office in the land?



WOW. Talking around a question worked in high school speeches. Not so much in front of a nation you are trying to convince that you are "not only ready, but willing" to be the Vice-President of.

God help us all.


Sarah Mania! Sarah Palin's Greatest Hits! -tmptv