Pops and Pictures

I've been at my grandparents and haven't felt like dealing with their dial-up connection. Pops logged on and left a masterpiece. If you missed it, here's the link. Basically, what he's saying is that I, and all peoples, should focus all our efforts on trying to improve the world for future generations. I agree with him, children are the greatest thing in the world and there are many out there who need our help. I never wanted to post this publicly, but I'm donating $50K this year to different education programs in Africa. I completely agree with his point that none of us do enough and that we all should try to do more.

What I don't agree with is his hypocrisy. He admits that he was young once, made mistakes and wonders why he did things. What he doesn't say is how those events shaped who he is today and how he's become a better person through fucking up. We all need to live and learn at our own pace and just because he's reached a point of clarity in his life, he can be condescending toward those who haven't gotten there yet. I'm sorry that I'm still growing up and I'm sorry that you see what I am today as a waste of talent. Clifford told me that you wished you had never taken me out of private school. That you had made sure I stayed on track and didn't take 6 years to graduate with some bullshit degree. If I had 3 Graduate Degrees but couldn't hold a social conversation, you'd be really proud of me. To me, life is about being a well balanced person. Clearly, I've erred on the side of being too social but that's the side that's more important to me. Look at the geniuses of the world, Bobby Fischer, Mozart, etc. Most were severly crippled socially and really fucked up in the head. Jesus was indeed a genius and his philosophy was simple: be kind to your fellow man. That's all I try to do every day. He had some incredible social understanding and that's what made him great.

Some might read the above and think that I'm angry, but I'm not at all. I just think that it's important that we all focus on doing the best that we can and try hard not to judge others too harshly. Just because I value my friends and family over anything else doesn't mean that I'm not thinking about those less fortunate. I agree that the drinking I do hurts me and kills brain cells but I don't see how poor kids are victims because I go out for drinks. I'm seriously considering quitting drinking alcohol after New Year's but that's besides the point. The point is that it's foolish to assume through my blog of my day-to-day routine that I don't give a fuck about anything but my own enjoyment. Phil Gordon, a professional poker player, has the following mission statement: To improve the world while having as much fun as possible. It's not exact, but that's the gist and it pretty much sums up how I feel. I'm a guy who likes to have a good time but I also feel like I have a good grasp on what's important in the world and I'm still growing up. I look at who I was last year and I laugh. I'll probably look a who I am now, next year, and laugh again. The point of this entire rant is that we all need to try our best to acheive what we can every day without losing our minds. I think it's awesome that you, dad, are trying hard to impart your wisdom on me but there are some lessons that I need to learn myself. I love you and I miss you a lot. Thanks for being so great.

Here are some pictures that I took over the past week. We have witnessed the death of the jafro. Everyone, a moment of silence if you could.


Tina, the best trivia partner ever 



Three Generations of Femininity 



The Jafro's last stand 



The sellout 



Twins?