A Good Show

I really think a good story is one that causes a person to feel moved in some way. That is why I feel that both Chuck and LOST are some of the best stories ever.

The other day, the apartment I am at (finally) got DSL hooked up. While I have been spoiled with cable for the last few months, I can work with DSL. After work Saturday, I came home and watched the season finale of Chuck with Brad. I was really sad to see the story end for now, knowing that I won't be getting anymore for months. It feels like forever, when it really isn't all that long away. At least I know there will be another season, unlike the last few years where it wasn't decided whether to continue or not until mid-summer.

After that, I watched the series finale of LOST. I will not talk about my thoughts of the show in this post. All I will say is that I was happy with how the show ended and don't feel like I've wasted my time watching it. I know things were left unanswered but I am ok with saying that I enjoyed the tale that they decided to tell. I am totally going to miss that show.

Maybe I should start rewatching the show, one episode a week.

Currently, I don't any Internet connection. Sadly, the neighbor put a password on his connection. Hope posting from my phone works.

California Stars

So, I haven't posted in a few days. Guess I should write something.

Since the drive to and through California was done mostly during the night, I listened to the song 'California Stars' by Wilco since the whole drive, I was seeing stars in California.

I really have a thing about that, listening to songs at times that are appropriate. Like listening to 'Superstition' by Stevie Wonder while driving on the 60, also know as the Superstition Freeway.

Anyways, here's the video for the song California Stars' by Wilco. This song may be one of my favorite songs ever.

The Reason for the X-Box360

So, I was really torn on whether or not I should bring my tv and xbox out to Sacramento with me. I wasn't sure if I'd have room or a lot of time to use them. I am really glad I brought them. Not only have I had my fair share of time using it so far but, as I currently write this, two of my roommates are in a very heated game of NHL 09. It really bring people together.

Surprised by California

I have heard and seen many different stories about California, tons of beaches and pretty girls. Sunshine all the time but never too hot. This was a really bad picture to have when going to spend 3 months in Sacramento, and even for the drive here. While it was the middle of the night that I was driving through California, I didn't see any sun, beaches, or pretty girls. What I saw was a whole lot of nothing and smelled a whole lot of cow poop. Not really anything like what I imagined California to be like. But I can brush that all aside as long as work is busy and I get to meet this man. It would make my life to meet the Governator!

Grading My Semester

As you probably know, last semester was my first ever real full-time college experience. I remember when I got report cards with my grades in them, way back in grade school. Remembering how those days were, and that my parents used to actually put them up on the fridge, I thought I should make a little report card for this semester.

Critical Thinking - A (Probably in the top 5% of the class)

Spanish - A (So good that I could skip the final!)

Anthropology - A (Could have slept through the class and still received an A)

Chemistry - ? (Don't have the final grade yet. Expecting around a B)

Comments: Thomas was a very friendly and pleasant student this semester, always a treat to have in the classroom. Very friendly and helps the other students if he understood a particular lesson and they didn't. Could work on being more punctual to his earlier classes.

Yeah, that is probably what this semester would have looked like on a report card.

Leaving for California

That plan didn't work too well.

I got to Sacramento around 6am this morning. I had planned on getting in much closer to midnight. I got up Tuesday around 10am, needing to finish packing the kitchen and bathroom. Not really that much stuff. I guess I dragged more than I should have and it took me way to long. I wanted to leave by noon, 1pm, but I wasn't in my car until 4:35pm. Then, I hit some rush hour traffic leaving Phoenix. During the drive, I got to find to that, no matter what time of day it is, there are always going to be a lot of people driving around Los Angeles.

Around 1:30am I realized I should probably pull over and take a nap, which I do for an hour. Of course it wasn't the most comfortable place to sleep, not being able to adjust my seat much, but if you know me you will know that I can pretty much sleep anywhere.

An hour nap, then back on the road. As soon as I hit the highway, I have the sudden need to go to the bathroom. After feeling this, I see a sign, 'Next service area 35 miles'. Not sure if I should just pull over or if I can make it, I keep driving and mercifully make it without any incident. After that, I buy a water at the gas station and the cashier proceeds to talk to me for like 45 minutes. Must have been lonely.

Well, the rest of the drive was uneventful. May talk more about it in a later post. I got in, saw Brad sleeping on the couch and thought I should let him sleep, he may have been sleeping out there just waiting for me, but he probably would like his sleep more than seeing me. (He wasn't waiting for me and has informed me that he is not a morning person. Really glad I let him sleep.) Though I did scare one of the other roommates when I just walked by the door she was walking out of. Great first impression!

And then I slept.

My Stuff

I am getting all ready to move out to California for the summer. Having to pack up all my stuff reminded me of something said by the late George Carlin, who I will always think of as the other Mr. Conductor after Ringo Starr. Enjoy this little bit.

My Thoughts: SB 1070

As many people know, the Arizona governor recently signed the bill SB 1070 into law. This is the law regarding illegal immigration. Everyone has their own thoughts and opinions on this law, though I believe many of them have no clue what it actually says. I have skimmed over the bill, so that puts me a step ahead of the masses. So I guess I'll take a few seconds to share my thoughts on the bill and illegal immigration as a whole.

I like to follow the law and be an upstanding citizen, but there are many times when I think laws don't make too much sense. I understand the need to follow traffic laws, but when it is three in the morning and I can see all ways, is there really a need to wait for a light to change? I know I can't just pick and choose when to follow laws, that is why I sit there and wait at lights no matter how late it is.

My problem with illegal immigration is that we as Americans have no problem having the 'illegals' work for cheap and do the crappy jobs that most people wouldn't want to do and certainly wouldn't want to do for the wages they are getting. For these people, they are coming to America to try to make a better life for themselves and their family. That is exactly what the American is about. The American Dream, that whoever you are, through hard work, you can make a better life for yourself. To tell these people who are coming here for that reason that they should stay out seems a bit strange to me. It almost seems like America is starting to lean away from what it says it is.

I do know and understand the issues that have arisen from illegal immigration. Drugs and violence are big ones. I will not argue with the fact that, with this law, there is a chance that these will lessen. My problem with it is that you are penalizing the many for the crimes of a few. No all illegal immigrants are drug lords, drug runners, thieves, or murders and I would guess that not even most are. I would add that I think those who are will now turn to violence more quickly if confronted by the law because they would fear deportation. The trouble causing illegals, I think, are better at hiding than those who aren't here to cause trouble. I really doubt that this law will scare anyone who is already into that type of trouble.

My biggest issue with the law, after skimming it, is the wording, 'FOR ANY LAWFUL CONTACT MADE BY A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL OR AGENCY OF THIS STATE OR A COUNTY, CITY, TOWN OR OTHER POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OF THIS STATE WHERE REASONABLE SUSPICION EXISTS THAT THE PERSON IS AN ALIEN WHO IS UNLAWFULLY PRESENT IN THE UNITED STATES, A REASONABLE ATTEMPT SHALL BE MADE, WHEN PRACTICABLE, TO DETERMINE THE IMMIGRATION STATUS OF THE PERSON'. Now, to me, what this says is that, when a police officer confronts anyone that he has a 'reasonable suspicion' is an illegal immigrant, he shall make a 'reasonable attempt' to find out their immigration status. I really doubt I am going to be asked for my immigration status. To me, I think this leads to racial profiling. Yes, politicians will tell you this law is in place for illegal immigrants from all over but I really believe that, since the biggest group in Arizona are illegal Latin American immigrants, these are the people who will be targeted. The wording makes me worried that these will lead to racial profiling, specifically of Latin Americans because that is the biggest worry of most people in Arizona who support this bill.

Of course I think something needs to be done. I don't even think this law is terrible. I just think its a bad first step. There needs to be a way to make the immigration process quicker. After that is in place, we need to give those living here illegally a way to become legal and a reason to do so. This would mean putting a law like this in place, one that would penalize those living here illegally so that they would be 'encouraged' to become legal citizens. I believe the increase in federal tax dollars from these people would help offset the cost of all of this.

Again, I am not a politician or that knowledgeable about the laws but I am not a supporter of this law. Nor do I want a wall to be built. Laws like this really just make me wonder.