Arms Deal

Like every week day I woke up and got ready to work by watching the Today Show. They covered a story on how Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defense Secretary Robert Gates were headed to Saudi Arabia to offer them an arms deal for support of the Iraq War and to show that the U.S. remains committeed to the region despite its problems in Iraq and the growing strength of Iran.

There is a bunch more to this story here, but seriously, do you need anymore to make any judgement of your own?

Should our country be offering arms deals to anyone, at all? Hmm, wasn't this type of action what aided the build up of Iraq and ultimately to two wars? Thanks Bush senior. I just don't understand why our country would do something like this with all that has happened to us since 9/11. DOES NOT MAKE SENSE. It also makes me increasingly sick to my stomach. Any one else have any thoughts?

John Lytle Wilson

Tallahassee is host to a large art community. Just over a year ago I was introduced to Railroad Square Art Park. The park is home to more than 80 studios, galleries and small shops and is the ultimate creative haven of many Tallahassee artists and other small businesses. On the first Friday of every month the park participates in the "First Friday Gallery Hop." It is also home to my favorite contemporary gallery, 621 Gallery. At 621 you can find a variety of contemporary exhibitions, all of which range in styles. If your lucky you will be able to enjoy some good live music by local musicians. Also, indulge in a nice cold beverage...wine, beer and water for those straight edge folks. Definitely check out their website and make a stop down some First Friday to visit 621 and experience the true gift of a grassroots organization right here in Tallahassee.

While attending a First Friday I was introduced to John Lytle Wilson, who is now Artist in Residence at 621. His art is incredibly vibrant and pays homage to animals and robots. The animals have this religious idol look to them. They are almost hypnotizing. The use of such bright colors along with the robots and animals brings back memories of my youth watching Sunday morning cartoons in the 80's. You know, the classics...Transformers, Sea Monkeys, Gummy Bears, Smurfs, etc. His art has been featered in national exhibitions and most recently in Vancouver, British Columbia. This latest piece names Frida 3000 (left) was painted for the Frida Ciento show at the JEM Gallery in Vancouver. From what I understand it is John's first venture into painting humans in combination with his normal style of art. To inquire about purchasing, email the gallery at thejemgallery at yahoo.com or call (604) 879-5366.

For more information on John, his studio, or how to make a purchase, visit his website at http://www.johnlytlewilson.com/. You can find up to date news at his blog http://www.johnlytlewilson.blogspot.com/. You can even befriend him on the phenomenon we all know and love as MySpace at www.myspace.com/johnlytlewilson.

Lastly, here are a few on my favorites of John's pieces:

Pencil Puppet Politics

Is the whole presidential campaign boring you like it is me? I mean I am personally counting the days until the end of Bush's term but the current candidates have been unbearably lackluster as of yet, which has done nothing to my sense of hope. I guess I should come out and inform you that I am a fairly liberal minded person but probably should be classified more as a moderate. I am also a registered Independent. However, I grew up in an entirely Republican family...who I now describe as fascist Republicans. Hah, it doesn't make them very happy. :)

Alright now that that is over with...so I was checking the political news on Yahoo! tonight found an interesting story titled "Pencil Puppet Politics." The article was on a guy named James Kotecki, a recent Georgetown graduate, political junkie, and former Congressional page that is basically at the same place I am at regarding the 2008 campaign...bored and pissed off. (Check out the article by going to http://potw.news.yahoo.com/ and search out "James Kotecki.") It is a pretty decent read and includes some funny clips.

The Economist describes James as "probably the world's foremost expert on YouTube videos posted by presidential candidates. He aggregates and responds to them here. He has, hilariously, been inviting candidates for interviews in his dorm room."

You have to check out his blog, which includes a great number of posts regarding his various appearances in media ranging from radio to television to print to the internet. Check out a few clips from his YouTube page below:

ESPN Welcomes David Beckham to America

Below is a pretty cool ESPN commercial that was released recently. I am interested to see what Beckham can do for soccer in the U.S., as it is my all time favorite sport!

30 Games for 30k - Have you made your donation?

This post is a follow up to an earlier post on 30 Games for 30k, a fundrasing campaign for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

I had the honor of meeting the Colin (pictured right) and Kyle (pictured left) O'Grady in person last night at a friend's house. We got to talk about their trip thus far and what they are looking forward too.

The guys are really chill and very passionate about their cause, which should be an inspiration to us all. I know it may be hard for you to make the contribution you may want to but I encourage you to do what you can. Every little bit helps and adds to the many other donations being made on a daily basis.

I believe in the value of philanthropy as its fundamental importance was instilled in me while attending undergrad. It takes a lot to do what Colin and Kyle are doing but they stepped up to the plate and ran with an ingenious idea. How awesome it is that they were able to combine two things that they are incredibly passionate about into the trip of a lifetime. What I find most inspiring is that they are paying for this trip completely out of their own pockets from money that they have saved up for the past year or so. 100% of the donations go to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

As of today they have raised $4,399.00 out of their $30,000.00 goal. Yes they still have far to go but there is still plenty of time. Their trip ends on August 10th watching their hometown Angels in style. I don't want to sounds like Sally Struthers and those depressing "save the children" commercials but really, stand up and do something positive if you can and donate. Like I said, every little bit will help. Whether you can donate $10, $50, $100 or $1000, it all goes to support an amazing cause.

If you would like more information on Kyle and Colin and 30 Games for 30k visit their website at http://www.30gamesfor30k.com/.

Other links:

30 Games for 30k's Flickr Page - The photos are amazing and I am now utterly jealous of the guys for going on this amazing trip across the country!

30 Games for 30k's Map of the Trip - Check out a Google Map of their entire trip. It is impressive.

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Team in Training - The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training® is the world's largest endurance sports training program. The program provides training to run or walk marathons and half marathons or participate in triathlons and century (100-mile) bike rides. Since 1988, more than 300,000 volunteer participants have helped raise more than $700 million.

Lastly, here are some recent news stories on the guys and the campaign. Thank goodness for Youtube!

The Simpsons Premier

On Tuesday it was announced that Springfield, Vermont has been chosen to host the premier of the upcoming Simpsons movie. Springfield beat out 13 other Springfields from around the United States in an online vote for the right to host the premiere.

Springfield is actually not to far from where I grew up so it is kind of amusing, especially since I am a huge Simpsons fan. The town of 9,500 submitted a video showing a Simpson look-alike chasing a giant, pink doughnut through the town. It also boasted similarities to the cartoon Springfield, such as having a nuclear power plant nearby.

The creator of the TV series, Matt Groening, located Homer, Marge and their children Bart, Lisa and baby Maggie in the fictional town of Springfield after noting that this was one of the most common U.S. town names. Some already had a claim to fame, such as Springfield, Illinois, which was home to Abraham Lincoln, and Springfield, Massachusetts, known as the birthplace of basketball. But in the TV series' 18-year history it has never been clear which of the 34 Springfields in the United States was the basis for the version in the cartoon, a satirical parody of Middle American lifestyle.

The contest between the Springfields sparked friendly rivalry, with some pulling in top-name endorsements to try to win such as Democratic Sen. Edward Kennedy for his home state of Massachusetts and skateboarder Tony Hawks for the Oregon bid.

The premier of "The Simpsons Movie," being released by News Corp.'s 20th Century Fox, will be held on July 21 in Vermont with the filmmakers on hand to walk the yellow carpet. The other 13 Springfields will also be given small screenings on July 26, the night before the movie hits theaters nationwide.

I can't wait to go see this movie! Who wants go go!?

1408

I ventured out to the movies recently with Kimbo to see 1408. One word....LAME. Based on a Stephen King book I thought that it would at least be somewhat good. I was sadly mistaken. Instead I we sat through an hour and a half of cheesy special effects and a less than thrilling performance by John Cusack. Cusack, by the way has only ever done one good movie..."Say Anything." It's a classic so check it out.

I am disappointed there hasn't been a decent scary/horror flick out in quite a while. Don't waste your time with this movie. The only thing you will enjoy is getting the hell out of the theater once it's done!

Happy 4th 2007

Happy 4th of July. I began the day watching the Red Sox beat the Devil Rays yet again and then it was off to hang out with a bunch of friends at a cookout. Everyone seemed to have brought their dogs. I think the grand total was 9 or 10...dogs that is! The weather was great too. It sucks the holiday had to be in the middle of the week and now it's back to work again tomorrow. Only a quick post today. I have been looking for a hilarious video I saw on the today show talking about fireworks safety. It's a must see. When I find it, I'll post it.