MY PERCEPTION

I once tried to keep a journal. Early part of last year (2004). It lasted for a little over a month. I wrote in it maybe every 2 or 3 days. I didn't like writing in the journal. I do like expressing my thoughts and ideas. But writing hurts my hand when I start to go really fast. Additionally, I would get a head of myself and forget my thoughts. Basically, I got discouraged and quit.

Now I am trying this avenue. Hopefully with a better turnout from myself. Typing is much easier than writing and I can work on my writings over a space of time.

So, I thought my first post would be about me. I am doing this to accomplish a couple things:

1. Anyone who reads this will have a better understanding of myself.
2. I will have a better understanding of myself.
3. How will my thoughts and ideas change next week, next month, or 5 years from now?

My posts (or blogging, if you will) can and will be on anything at any one time. But, mostly on My Perception of things going on. Do not confuse this title or my decision on writings to lend you to think I am an egomaniac or my ideas are always right. I am not and they are not. But when most people (99% I dare say) do things like this they are giving you their perception on the matter no matter what that is. So without further adieu.......

• I am a born again Christian...
• I belong to a Southern Baptist Church http://www.hopefoundhere.com is their website
• I believe I am a fundamentalist, however, I find nothing wrong with drinking, dancing, and going to the movies. Obviously, I take part in all of these activities.
• I also have a problem with cussing/swearing, whatever you want to call it. I do it way too much.
• The Bible is the divine written word of God.
• Evolution is junk as is Intelligent Design, but I'll take ID over Darwin.
• I attended a private, very strict, Baptist High School.
• I attended and graduated from Central Michigan University.
• I joined a National Social Fraternity while there: http://www.phikappatau.org
• I served as Vice President, Recruitment chair, and Athletics chair.
• The private, very strict, Baptist High School did not like my decison to attend CMU and I wonder if I would be accepted back?
• Every Wednesday night, my wife (Michele) and I host a church wide Bible Study at our house.
• I still wonder if the private, very strict, Baptist High School would allow me back in their doors.
• John Eldrdge's book "Wild at Heart" is right on. Donald Miller's "Blue Like Jazz" was like reading a near autobiography on myself, except I am not an author like him and cannot live his lifestyle.
• I would buy those 2 books for anyone that asked me to. BUT THEY WOULD HAVE TO READ THEM AND DISCUSS THEM WITH ME.

• I am a conservative and a proud and contributing member to a vast right wing conspiracy.
• I have a "Support Our Troops and President Bush" sign in the front yard of my very blue-collar, Teamster/UAW dominated downriver Detroit neighborhood.
• I have voted for Bob Dole and George W. Bush to be my president.
• Bill Clinton was a good president, but did nothing his last 2 years in office and that is why the economy is where it is today.
• Well wait, he did lie to a grand jury and was impeached. That is a lot to accomplish.
• I have voted for Democrats at the state and federal level.
• A McCain/Guliani ticket in 2008 would be 8 years too late but still worth it.

• Ann Coulter is as ugly as sin.
• Michael Savage is an utter idiot.
• Rush is not!
• Alan Combs is a puppet for Fox News.
• James Carville scares me....he is too smart.
• Bill O'Rielly is a pompous @&%@ but usually always right.
• Obviously I like Fox News and only watch CNN during a commercial.
• Which reminds to get TiVo because I really hate turning on CNN.
• Which further reminds me that all network news and media outlets are biased with Fox News being the only one on the right
• I will miss Peter Jennings and watching "World News Tonight."
• I will miss Dennis Miller even more. His show should never have been cancelled (on MSNBC or CNBC, whichever peacock station it was) and it further shows, America cannot handle the thruth.
• Bernard Goldberg's book "100 People Who are Screwing Up America (And Al Franken is #37)" is right on.
• Michael Moore is the biggest jackhole ever. I regret admitting I paid to see "Bowling for Columbine" at a movie theatre.
• Which reminds me to reduce my cholestrol because I can feel my blood boiling (amazingly, my blood pressure is "perfect for my age"...thanks Dr. Dasa).

• America is right to be in Iraq.
• Bush is the most stubborn person I know, and because of that Rumsfield is still the Secretary of Defense, and because of that Iraq is a mess right now.
• My younger brother served in Iraq (and Afghanistan) and I lost one of my best high-school friends to the war in Iraq.
• America is right to be in Iraq!
• I do think a 5 week summer vacation was a too much.
• I think you are stupid if you think the president was not working at that time either.
• Clinton took 5 minute "breaks" in the Oral Office, oops I mean Oval Office and was still able to talk policy and make decisions on the phone. So I am sure that Bush can do that from his lay-z-boy.

• The mayor of New Orleans and Governor of Louisiana are more responsible than anyone for the fallout from the flooding.
• Why was their no supervision at the Superdome and Convention Center?
• Why were those 2 locales picked by the local leadership to be the safe havens and house those who neglected the "Get the hell out of Dodge" warning? Especially when they were no where near prepared to handle the masses and no one was in charge.
• Why could Florida handle 4 hurricanes last year (4 in a row, week after week) and nothing this close even happen?
• Maybe I overexaggerated. The mayor and governor were only half responsible, the other half falls to the 24/7 Mardi Gras lifestyle New Orleans has embraced and is so proud of. Hedonism, voodoo, and free will abounds and you wonder why they reacted the way they did when disaster struck?!
• The state of Michigan should stand up and be proud that we are housing refugees and survivors. Especially with our poor econmy and high unemployment rates. Stand up and be proud J-Gov!!!
• Unions are the reason Michigan is doing so bad economically. And J-Gov (our lovely governor Jennifer Granholm) is making it easier for them to ruin it.
• I could go on but I will stop.......

• Sean Penn is a retard!!!
• Tim Robbins is a retard!!!
• Oliver Stone is the biggest RETARD of them all!!!!!
• Kanye West does not care about anyone but himself

• I enjoy beer, the darker and more bitter the better (Guiness and German wheats).
• I once tried to brew my own, not the best stuff in the world.
• I do make my own wine with help from my uncle.
• Over 50 gallons last year.
• This year we are going for over 100.
• As I said before, I find there to be nothing wrong with drinking. Noah was a husbandman and Jesus turned water into wine (not grape juice or some other "Hebrew translation" beverage that was non alcoholic).
• Getting drunk is wrong.
• Yes, I have been drunk, and am not proud to say so.
• I do not qualify being drunk as having a .08 BAC. But I am not a milita member, and so I do not drive if I feel my BAC is at this level. Sometimes the government gets it right with their laws and this is one of them.
• Dancing is fine as well. David danced before God after many victories of war.
• I have shown my pastor my wine cellar and explained to him the "quick way" on how to make your own wine.
• I wonder if that private, very strict, Baptist High School would let me in.

So, as you can see I am somewhat opinionated and a little bitter sometimes. But these are things I feel and think at various times of the day and night. I am sure some of these things will change and I am sure my postings in the future will address these rantings and ravings I just went on.

Hopefully this will last longer than my failed journal attempts early last year.

Until then

Brian