The Rest of the Story

I drove down the Phoenix last weekend for a very special purpose. To get back what was taken from me, at lest in part. If you remember when our house was broken into this time last year, you'll know the police managed to catch the thieves. Last month, the case was closed. The male burg suspect got 19 years in prison. His female accomplice got a little less. It still makes me shale my head how people think this is a good way ot make a living. Have fun in prison.

We headed down to Phoenix to retrieve what we could from evidence. We found a number of things, most of them fairly worthless. What we really headed down for was to see if our Sony SmartStick with 1500 pictures of our wedding and honeymoon pictures on it, was recovered. Alas, no luck. I'm almost starting to think the universe wanted those pictures gone. We backed them up on two computers. Both computers failed and the memory stick was stolen. Hmmm ... makes you think.

At any rate, we had an interesting trip. We stopped through Vegas to observe the worst snow storm in 35 years. Kind of a historic moment to be there. All in all, it was a good trip. We provided some closure and saw justice done. Its nice when you can work with the authorities and see the bad guys get what they deserve. It should be publicized more. Maybe people will stop being so dumb. Hey, its worth a shot.

Mormon Pot Calling the Gay Kettle Black

I stand on the side of "Don't Tread on Me" in most idealistic battles. This plays into religion, politics, culture, etc. And I hate to jump on the band wagon just because I like the music but, now that the dust has settled, I feel its a good time to say why I think we should let people marry whoever they want and then everyone (and I mean everyone) needs to quit throwing tantrums.

Its ironic, as this country was built on escaping religion oppression and we still seem stuck in pressing our own religious minutia on the whole of society. Coming from a semi-Mormon background (I no longer consider myself Mormon), I understand the issue for the religious objectors. They think the sacred institution would become less sacred if a non man/woman couple were allowed to enter into that covenant. I get it. I actually try to explain to people why they want it to be law. Yet, despite all my defense of their views, personally, I find it short sighted to press any group with my convictions. Furthermore, I find it extremely odd Mormons do, as the Mormon church was the object of so much oppression from marital freedom in years past.

Now, as I say this, its important to state, no group or person should make their point with vandalism or proactive violence over anything. I dare say most straight and gay people would agree with me. I find it sad (not to mention counter productive) a few crack pots are disabusing church houses and the like because they did not like the outcome of a political battle. And they are making their particular side look juvenile and embarrassing. Look folks, if you love the person you are with, whatever the law is, focus on that and stop all the hating. Sure, fight for your causes but don't mistake hate tactics with fighting the good fight. Its not the same thing and its not right.

So, what do I think? I think any group of consenting adults should be able to obtain legal rights equal to any other group in similar circumstances. So in short, I support gay marriage. I would also support a Mormon's right to polygamy (remember, as long as all parties were consenting adults - very important detail). Why should I hold an opinion opposed to anyone getting hitched in accordance with their beliefs. That is what religious freedom means, I think.

Hey, want to hear a really crazy opinion? I think if three or four or five people all want to marry each other, as long as they are adults of sound mind, they should be able to lead the life they want. And shouldn't my Mormon friends agree with me? Its state opposition to their out of the ordinary marital preferences that led them to dismantle their "odd marriage rituals" in times gone by. Basically, The State said they couldn't marry who they wanted. Sound familiar?

Look, I have some devoutly religious family and friends. I understand what the religious folks are saying. Yet the term "Pot calling the kettle black," always came to mind as I watched people rally against someone else's "odd" marriage preferences. I guess its just funny how looking at something differently can change your perspective on things. I suggest everyone put those two ideas in contrast and see what you make of it. Far be it from me to tell you what to think. Just thought I'd connect some dots for you.

Level II

Been taking Krav Maga for a few months now (previously a practitioner of Kajukenbo and Ninjitsu) and took my Level I test today. If there was ever a martial art created for the American notion of super heroes, I think it would be Krav.

Just tested out of Level I. The test was pretty exhausting. The highlight of forty minutes of intense cardio was a toss up between sprinting to one end of the parking lot. jogging to the other corner and sprinting back and then doing these burpee-frog-leap things from hell up the hill for 50 yards - twice. And carrying a person on your back and running to every parking spot in a row and doing five squats and then running back before going onto the next one (about 10 slots in all).

Over the course of the test, three people threw up and I split a guy's lip (by accident of course).

Anyway, I passed (yay me). I am now a level II Krav Maga practioner.

How to Get the Word Out

I listed this little cartoon on The League's blog but it was so entertaining I thought I'd do a crossover. I've always had a hard time really getting a grip on this particular experiment and this cartoon makes it perfectly understandable. And how can I miss an opportunity to feature a real Superhero Physicist on the blog?! Watch it. It's a blast and you might just learn something.
Quantum Experiment - Funny bloopers are a click away

I encourage you to head over to The League of Citizen Heroes blog and read the rest of the story. All the effort that went into that cartoon reminded me what it takes to get people to "get" it. Take ... me ... for example. While being Citizen Prime has been a great opportunity to meet and talk to many people, it takes more than just one person in the wilderness to bring people around to what we can aspire to. It takes voices and time and effort to get the word out that good people are not going to sit idly by while Apathy, Greed and Despair take over our cities. Citizen Prime and a whole cadre of superheroes are taking to the streets and making their heroic messages heard.

In fact, a number of us superhero types have banded together to create The RLSH. It stands for The real Life Super Heroes and its a total kick in the head. If you don't know there are a number of people using the indelible impression that comics have made on society to actually do some real good in the world. Using unique superhero personas, these great people are using the power of art in life, as they go out to join, bolster and create good deeds the world over. Instead of prowling the streets looking for arch-villains, these fine folks are finding ways to bring superheroes to the light of day. The site is under construction, as of this writing, but it is a great organization. I encourage you to keep an eye on it. great things will follow.

Will people never learn? And by that I mean me as well as the criminally minded. Let me explain. The X-Terra got broken into last night. It was sitting in the driveway in our safe neighborhood and some girl opened the door and stole my wallet. I need to learn to do the simple things. Like have Traci and I lock the doors. And not leave my wallet in the car after Krav class (a bad habit that earned me a lesson).

Now, the funny thing is, I'm pretty sure we're going to catch the thief. I already saw her on video. See, she ran to the nearest 7-11 and filled up her tank then walked inside to use the bathroom - great lighting at the 7-11 counter for that identifying video. She then bought $140 bucks of groceries at WalMart (there are camera's everywhere at WalMart!). Smart girl ...

Now, near as I can figure she broke in at 6:00 am. I get up at 6:45 and noticed. I immediately called all the credit cards and got locations where they were used. I called the police and told them I'd help track her down. They sad fine. I went to the locations and got video of the times the card was swiped. All said and done, an hour after she took my wallet, she was shut down, videotaped, and her car is now on the police watch list (we have not got a plate yet, but the police are running the video through their software and they sound optimistic.

So for $85 bucks of gas and $140 dollars of groceries this girl (yea, it was a perfectly nice looking girl) is going into a world of hurt. It just ain't worth it, guys. It just ain't. And God forbid you steal from someone like me who will spare no expense tracking you down. Please. Learn. Be smart. Sigh .... sometimes I feel like a broken record.

The First Person Citizen Prime primed ...

We're doing BlogTalkRadio again and it’s a lot of fun. Its especially entertaining to be “on air” with my beautiful wife, Tibcat. Last night we were talking about something that stuck with me throughout the day. I said a while ago, ‘The first person Citizen Prime primed was me!” and it was brought up again last night.

Through the last few years I’ve seen a number of things happen in this area of pro-social activity. With the costumed lot, I see a lot of potential. The best part of them/us are rational, intelligent people adopting their higher selves. And that’s what I’m talking about here.

I had a conversation with a young RLSH from England a bit ago and shared the secret to making this really work for you. Here is the gist. You have to be willing to become the hero in your own life. You must always be in the heroic mindset. It doesn’t work long term if you are professing to live by a higher law and somehow … don’t. From simple things, like public intoxication (the embarrassing kind) to threatening people you disagree with. We’re all normal people and the line between hero and non hero is a moral one. If you cross over, its difficult to cross back with the same credibility you once had. And that's why, even in the costumed community, unfortunately, not everyone is ready to be called Real Life Super Hero.

For me (if I may talk in third person) I thank god for Citizen Prime. While I’ve always tried to be good to other people, nothing keeps me as focused and motivated to being the best person I can be than knowing I have to face people, look them in the eye, and tell them to find the hero inside themselves. How could I do that if I didn't think I strove for that myself.

Being labeled a Real Life Super hero doesn't mean you are stronger, better, faster or smarter than other human beings, as being a comic book super hero does. Being called an RLSH is a mandate to live as strong and as good as people should live. Its being the best you can possibly be. Its being that person than if something looked down on the human race from afar and needed a reason not to blow us all to Kingdom Come, they might see you and go, "Humans do have goodness and nobility. Maybe we'll spare them for one more day." And who knows? Could be Someone is looking down ... possibly making that decision ... and, just maybe, they're basing their judgement on you.

Stay strong and stay heroes,

The Great Generation

A friend of mine … well, a cyber friend … at least I consider him such … wrote a blog about the fantasy of American Values, or as he put it “a bunch of hooey.” I always enjoy his blogs, if not always agree. In fact, I highly encourage you to read it. It’s located at http://enemyblog.typepad.com/enemy_blog/. To understand this posting of mine, you really need to digest his. Meaning, I am taking issue with my friend’s dismissal of The Great Generation and the values that made America great. Now, before we get going, what cannot be denied is the fact that there is always something in every era that is a tragedy, crime, gross misconduct or blind ignorance. And while these tragedies remain exactly that – each time and era must be taken as a whole to assess its value.

Here’s the rub though. I think its folly to focus on the trees in lieu of the forest. The Great Generation, or that time during and after World War II is, by and large, esteemed to be the greatest time in American values. By everyone and for everything? Well, nothing is ever “by everyone” and certainly minority rights were still in serious trouble. But with civil rights having come so far since then, I hope that most people can agree that behavior and manners (for lack of a better word) can certainly learn a thing or three from our predecessors of the 40s and 50s. I have a dream of rebuilding the values of that era. You know the ones. Where men greet each other with a smile and tip of the hat instead of a grim nod or a look of challenge in their eye. A time when women lunched politely instead of beating each other up on YouTube. A time when parties were soirees and not a beer funnel and a police raid.

These are the values I see sorely lacking in society. These are values that exist and need to be fostered. And we need to dismiss the notion that we get the good with the bad, insinuating with all our freedom we must put up with fearing for our lives when we go out at night. There is the hooey. We are all free to pursue life, liberty and happiness. When we step on the rights of others, that freedom’s leash is reached. And this is the gist of the problem I see today. Too many people are “free” to intimidate, threaten, cajole, etc. That is not a freedom one should enjoy and it exists, in part, due to the lack of boundaries we see today.

There is a book, The Happiness Hypothesis, that describes multiple studies where total freedom ends up being the exact opposite. Without putting you through the exercise of reading the whole book (although I highly recommend it), the studies can be summed up in the following example: Take any young child outside and say, “You are free to run anywhere you want.” Most kids, proven by research will be paralyzed by the vastness of that directive. If you say, “You can play anywhere within the front yard and back yard,” they run off happily and feeling safe as kittens. Boundaries are inherent in our psyche and when they are removed completely, shows like The Sons of Anarchy come on TV, and we can all agree – no one wants that.

So, what am I saying? I’m saying we have to have common values as a society that we can look to in our pursuit of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We have to be decent men and women and we must learn how to be those things. They do not magically enter our heads. When we say things like, letting go of the past frees us to decide the future, it turns out to be nonsense, as we are the sum total of our parts. Some parts are ugly, some parts are beautiful, but they are all us. And if we fail to learn the lessons of the past, which is perhaps the good that can come out of bad situations, then we are doomed to relive them in the future.

Until next time

Stay Strong and Stay Heroes