Wasted Thoughts from a sober mind

Dr. Salmon, I wanted to post a little response to your last post. I agree mostly with what you've got to say, but I think its worth taking a look at a little more deeper. Afterall, as of 2:38am, we've had 111 visitors to the blog. Some had stayed for more than 15 seconds, and its time we gave them their money's worth.

I've thought alot lately about what kind of direction I'm heading in, where I'm going, and what I'll do when I get there. You're right, the day you're born into this world, is the day you start dying. Its kind of a sick view on reality, but true nonetheless. Sometimes I ask myself questions like, why are we here? What's the point to all of this? Those are the kind of questions that can leave a man pondering for hours. But I think the truth of the matter is that the reason and purpose we are on this earth is to leave it just a little bit better than we found it. If we can live our lives treating others how we'd like to be treated, well then I'd say that the good Lord will have a few nice things to say about us once we leave our celestial bodies. And really, I think that this is the simpilist ways we can comprehend our existence within the earth plane.

One thing I've noticed about a good friendship is that its pretty darn hard to get rid of. In other words, if you find a person that you relate to, share and bond with, then its darn near impossible to terminate it, short of sleeping with your friend's wife...But I'll be willing to bet that there's plenty of friends out there that would be willing to hand their wife over to their friend, just so they could get a couple of good night's sleep....But really, that's kind of beside the point I'm trying to get at.

It is true, however, that a good friend will be with you no matter what, through thick and thin. Sunshiny days as well as cloudy ones. Possibly a dry drizzle or two. And yes, there will be times when a good friend will disappoint you, but afterall we all are flawed human beings.

The family dynamic is a bit different. Afterall they're really the friends that you didn't choose. But I think the bond is still the same. Family has the ability to disappoint just as the friend can, the difference is you're forced to spend Thanksgiving and Christmas with them. If you don't, well then Mom will be pissed. And God knows, we don't wanna piss Mom off.

I consider myself a relatively private person. I don't express myself particularly well through face-to-face interaction. This is not to say that I'm a reclusive hermit by any means, its just that sometimes I feel uncomfortable dealing with people that are outside of my comfort zone. Does this make me a flawed human being? Well, no I don't really think so...But of course, a potential career in sales might be out the window! ha!

But this is why I think that this forum of blogging is so appealing to me. It allows both me and you Dr. Salmon, to interact with each other, maybe share a couple of our 'off the wall' ideas to a few people, and maybe forge a couple of relationships with some other people that we wouldn't normally interact with all along the way.

The Internet is a unique medium, insofar as it allows us to truly be ourselves. No matter how sick one's mind works, its a place where we can go to get away from it all. And there's just something endearing about that to me. Salmon, I've known you now for going on 11 years and I'd have to say that I know you pretty well.

Alot of things we agree upon, and yet there are still alot of things we don't. That's what makes this blog a cool place to express each other's ideas and opinions. I consider this blog to be a place where anything and everything goes. I have no qualms about anything, and I know you don't either. If somebody out there wants to say that I'm a cocksucker. Well then I say go for it! At least you say what's on your mind, and I actually like the cruel reality of the situation. This world is filled with kiss asses, and suck-ups, and corporate drones that are afraid of pissing off the wrong person, and I feel like this blog is a place where I can be myself, without any consequence. To me, the only real consequence of not speaking your mind is the horrible feeling you get within the pit of your belly when you know you aren't being true to yourself.

Anyways, this is just a couple of wasted thoughts, from a guy just like any other guy out there in their mid-20's trying to find their way in the world. I would encourage anybody who reads this to give us a shout out, and tell us what's on your mind. Give us the gory details...As Fraiser would say, "The doctor is in!"

if you dont have anything nice to say dont sayanything at all

HELLO WORLD, the salmon here to report on how things are going. sorry i havent posted in a while but i havent had anything nice or positive to say and, Dr. Ai-un and i started this with the want to post our out of the box ideas, rant about life and so on. i felt my past few blogs havent bean a good representation of my self. see its true i really dont like adults this includes myself but maybe through the idiotic things i say others might see faults in themselves they want to change.

life is all one big joke when you think about it from the moment you are born the odds are against you, you are going to have to pay taxes and you will die, a friend or family member will betray you, a loved one or pet will die, at point you wont have any money, this is the truth.

now despite that there is some great things in life i feel i should point out too. the sun will shine your friends will be your friends money will come and go.

what i am trying to say is if you focus on the bad thats all you will see. but step back once and a while and you will see there is so much good. i dont mean look at life like a pacifistic pussy. but like a normal person with normal things.

doing this will help i promise

well thats all for now

the salmon
out

Better get to know a ballpark---Arvest Ballpark

Ladies and gentleman. Its time now for part 2 of our 764 part series of "Better get to know a Ballpark." This one is another minor league addition, and I've got to say, it was a nice little experience for me.

Arvest Ballpark is located in Springdale, Arkansas and is home to the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, the AA affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. It's a place within the game where dreams are crushed and surprises emerge. Its a plethora of physical and mental emotions surrounding the typical AA ballplayer that can not be understood, nor would you want to understand. The ballpark is a mere 7 to 8 minutes (depending on traffic) from the Wal-Mart world headquarters in Bentonville. As you know, I've previously had a couple of things to say about Wal-Mart. But I digress. Springdale is apart of the metropolitan 4 city region that encompasses Northwest Arkansas. Bentonville, Fayetteville, Rogers, and Sprindale make up the metropolis. It is one of the nation's fastest growing regions and has an overall population of around 500,000. When put together, its size is similar to the city of Milwaukee. (Milwaukee, by the way, is in fact an indian name pronounced "mil-e-wah-que" which is Algonquin for the "good land." As Alice Cooper famously quoted in the movie "Wayne's World. Another interesting sidenote stated by Alice Cooper was that Milwaukee has had its share of French missionaries and explorers dating all the way back to the 16th century.)

But this isn't a post about Milwaukee. We're talking about Arkansas. Specifically the Northwest Region. It's a college town, a vacation destination, a region with a multi-billion dollar retail headquarters, a chicken raising haven, and last but not least, home to Double A baseball.

Before I get into the baseball, I'd like to say a few words about the chicken industry. Tyson foods calls Sprindale its home and claims to be the world's largest processor and marketer of all things chicken. And who can forget the episode of Seinfeld when the Yankees traded George to Tyson for some kind of fermented chicken drink. 15 years later, there's no denying that George would've loved the region, and possibly retired here very comfortably. I also want to give a shoutout to a little place called AQ Chicken. Possibly the best fried chicken this side of Kentucky. According to multiple pictures on the wall, former President Bill Clinton was a frequent visitor. I had a delicious variety platter of barbeque, lemon, and fried chicken, that is probably the best I have ever tasted.

Anyways, in the summer of 2006, it was decided upon by the powers that be, that the AA affiliate of the Kansas City Royals, then known as the Wichita Wranglers would be moving into a brand new state of the art minor league facility in Sprindale, Arkansas. Coincidentally, a mere short drive from Royals owner, David Glass's personal home. Hmm, I wonder if he had a hand in this? Well, anyways the attendance in Wichita had been suffering, and the move to Sprindale was in full effect. A new ballpark was built and opened for the 2008 season.

The ballpark itself is a quaint facility, seemingly in the middle of nowhere, adjacent to a few cow pastures, and rolling meadows. The nearest account of any civilization is a mere 1 1/2 miles away. Strategically placed signs along the road lead us gently into our destination. And boy was it a sight! It was all any minor league fan could ask for. Cheap beer, and affordable hot dogs! Before the game, I wandered ambiously through the complex and came across a booth of sorts. In it were 2 relief pitchers willifully signing some autographs for the kiddos. The kids were not impressed, and from the looks of the pitchers, they weren't either. But nevertheless, they trudged through their 30 minute signing session to make it out alive.

The game was decent. This particular evening saw the Naturals facing the Little Rock Travelers, AA team of the Anaheim Angels of Los Angeles of California of the United States of America. After a few nervous errors in the first inning by the shortstop and third baseman, the Naturals settled down to post a 16-5 victory. I even got to see a real live minor league rehab assignment! Engaging stuff, let me tell ya!

To be honest, I didn't really move around much during the game, so I didn't really see much of the park, and quite honestly I'm probably not really that qualified to give a detailed review of the stadium. So in conclusion, one must ask, what did we really learn here? The answer to that question could possibly summed up into on simple sentence. And that sentence is...Wal-Mart controls the world, and possibly your local minor league team. Mass hysteria continues to consume us.

To wear your hat backwards? Or not...that is the question

I've been contemplating this question for a good 36 hours. I was always told that the cut-off date for when you become too old to wear your hat backwards was always 27 years of age. Nobody wants to see the douche bag 40 year old trying to act like he's a cool 19 again. It's not a pretty sight. And nothing good could ever come out of it. It's always been my opinion that this was understood worldwide, and it encompassed the entire genre of hat styles. Speaking to the Salmon, this is not the case.

He claims that the cut-off age for a flex fit is 18. Snap or velcro 23, and you are never too old to wear a gameday hat backwards as long as it fits in appropriate times and circumstances. I'd say, its probably not a good idea to wear your fitted Royals hat backwards to your grandma's funeral. Mowing the grass...yes. Mowing your girlfriend...no.

So the Salmon basically states for us that different hats calls for different situations. We are both 26 years old, and can recall a time in high school where it was hip to wear a trucker hat backwards. Sometimes your hair would come through the opening above the snap. This was just the way it was, and it was a time before the trucker hat went mainstream again. I can totally respect that era. But I don't respect it now. Since that period of time, the trucker hat has become a symbol of chic, that sickens me. They are now ball game give aways, and a person can't go a month now without seeing some prissy chick in a John Deere trucker hat. Let me tell you, I know real people that wear John Deere hats for real purposes. They wear them to pay homage to the tractor and all that it has provided for them in their daily lives. 17 year old suburban chicks have no idea.

I'm not entirely sure when the velcro came into existence, and to tell you the truth, I really don't want to find out. I assume it was either developed for cost cutting measures, or enough people complained that the snaps varied too much in between. Like for instance, 6 snaps was too tight, but 7 snaps was too loose. Hence the velcro made for more of a customization fitting for your head. A good idea in theory, but stupid if you want to wear it backwards. And in Salmon's case, if you even think about wearing it past 23, you're a major douche bag.

I myself recently purchased a vintage fitted Kansas City A's hat, circa 1955. And I wear it proudly. As I said earlier, I'm 26 and to my knowledge before yesterday, I was under the assumption that I had less than 1 year to wear my A's hat backwards proudly. Thanks to Salmon and all his wisdom, I will be able to continue past the dubious age of 27, and hopefully the kid's won't make fun of me behind my back. If they do, I'll just make fun of their straight-billed crooked cap, hip-hop wannabe ways and get on with my life.

The Wal-Martization of Society

Salmon, you know what I love about this country? -Wal-Mart. I love how we can leisurely stroll through any store in this country and instantly feel better about ourselves. Because lets face it, if you end up feeling worse about yourself, then you've got some real problems. Wal-Mart's got it all. You want a big tupperware container to store all of your shit? Wal-Mart's got it! You want a knock-off Zack Greinke shirt? Wal-Mart's got it! You've only got $5 bucks in your pocket and you've been dying to see the movie Just Married- Well guess what? Wal-Mart's got that too!

They are the world's largest retailer, that's causing the world to be just a little bit worse place to live. I'm an educated man. I've got a degree in Economics from the University of Missouri. Guess what? Wal-Mart money runs that school! Bet people didn't know that? There's a huge mural of Sam Walton right there in the Business school's foyer. Incidentally, its right next to the bathroom. Speaking of Sam Walton, I've done a bit of studying about him. I've read his autobiography. He was raised of humble beginnings in Columbia, Missouri graduated from college and made his way in the world. One hostile takeover of small town at a time. I guess you've got to give it to the guy. He had sharp business instinct, and slowly built his brand into world recognition. But what have we learned from this? What is the endgame?

I've got a few thoughts on that. Recently, I was assigned a homework assignment in one of my MBA business law classes to discuss the ethical nature of the Debbie Shank v. Wal-Mart Missouri Supreme Court case. If any of you mouthbreathers don't have a clue what I'm talking about, here's a synopsis: Debbie Shanks was a Wal-Mart employee in Eastern Missouri when she was severely injured in a car accident derived from a collision with a semi-tractor truck. Medical expenses exceeded $420,000. The Wal-Mart Health and wellness plan fully covered all of her doctor bills. Shanks' injuries have left her without the ability to work or ever live a normal life again. In the meantime, Shanks sued the semi-truck company and eventually settled for $700,000. This money was put into a trust which pays for Shanks' nursing care needs. All is settled right? -Nope. Wal-Mart comes in and files suit against the Shanks in hopes of recovering the $420,000 that was provided by Wal-Mart by the company's own health plan. The move was a legal maneuver by the company and as a result the court's decision was in favor of Wal-Mart for the Shanks to repay the medical expense money. The Shanks appealed the decision and lost that battle too.

One would ask, how much money does Wal-Mart need? How much is enough? Was it ethically right to go after a mentally disabled former employee? Probably not. But was it legal? Yes it was. Media pressure ascended down upon Wal-Mart executives and they eventually dropped the case, but its just another example of the hawk-like nature of greedy corporate CEO's.

We all know about how Wal-Mart puts pressure on their suppliers to constantly lower their prices, which will in-turn cause Wal-Mart to sell at lower than market prices to the consumer. This causes Wal-Mart to hire and employ labor for right around minimum wage level. Multiply that by hundreds of thousands of worldwide employment, and you've got a global economic meltdown on your hands. Is this what Sam Walton envisioned? Probably not, but its no doubt that he laid the groundwork for this outcome to take place.

I recently visited the Wal-Mart headquarters and visitor's center in Bentonville, Arkansas on my way to a baseball game. I took note at the simplicity of the original headquarters. Placed innocently in a small town square, adjacent to a statue of a confederate soldier. It was tough for me to imagine global domination from such a quaint beginning. -But then as the old saying goes. Rome wasn't built in a day- and neither was Wal-Mart.

Sam Walton was truly a pioneer of the retail business. Many, many books and articles have been written in his prowess. In many ways he is revered upon as an innovator. In other ways he's jeered upon as his successors have preyed upon the little guy. He always said in his comments that, if it wasn't him- it'd just be someone else....Perhaps he's right. But what concerns many that thinks along the same lines, is that this capitalist system put this opportunity in place. I'm not considering abolishing the free market, but I do support certain reforms that reduce unemployment, especially among educated citizens. India and China are miles ahead of us in this game, and its time we follow suit.

Aaron

hello

i would like to agree with my good buddy airun, john and kate plus 8 was a good idea gone wrong, i mean think about those poor kids

well i am going to rant on how i think college is bull-shit.

i spend 200 dollars on a book and when i am done with it i got 20, i am in a speech class were this girl talks about rape and so on, and even worse it gives your average mouth breather to get a two yr degree that will some how catapult your shitty life to the moon were anything is possible, this is simply not true.

i currently have a 3.5 gpa now if that is possible there is something wrong with the school, hahaha. how ever unlike the mouth breathers and future felons of America i have already started my steps to get into a four yr school.

once i get there i can look forward to required readings 300 dollar books that i will get 20 bucks back for.

now any thing you want to know (i hate to admit this because i don't care much for the internet)but is right here at your proverbial finger tips.

if you want to look up Chinese policies you can world economics its right there, civil war in Africa, all this is on the net and it only cost you your average cable internet bill, and you don't have to deal with all the shit, plus if you get board you can look up porn and have a tug at it hahahaha.

but for real people relay on other to much and have lost the sense of independence and pride of doing something on their own.

my only hope is 2012 roles around and thats all she wrote i want to be there when the fat lady sings and maybe i can hit that shit before its all said and done

well the one bright spot is Zack Greinke is on the mound tonight the anarchy to the civilized sport of baseball

so go Royals screw college more importantly screw the college student and screw me for being a hypocrite and going to college myself


the salmon out

Jon & Kate plus hate

Hey all. I wanted to take a few moments to weigh in on the Jon and Kate hysteria that seems to be sweeping the country. If nobody knows what I'm talking about. Here's a little background. There's this couple Jon and Kate. They have 8 kids. 6 of them are sextuplets. Hilarity ensues.

What's interesting to note, is that nothing about this is interesting to note. It's the kind of drivel that encompasses our TV every night. The basic plot of the show goes like this:

Kate: Kids, lets all do an activity.

8 Kids: Yay!

Jon: I hate my life.

I'm pretty sure that conversation happens every show. How somebody can be famous for having a bunch of kids, I'll never know? I guess the population is infatuated by a little something out of the norm (I guess that's why the little people midget show is so popular). Nothing really at all goes on, except for lots of arguing and children's activities...Riveting TV right there.

But I wanted to get to something that's disconcerning to me as a man, a citizen of this country, and a television viewer. I'll just put it all out there. Kate is kind of a bitch.

Ok now, I'm not there day in and day out. I don't know all of the particulars, but from what I can tell, Kate is just a downright, run of the mill, blonde bitch. It's something I've been contemplating for days now. But lets look at the facts. Once she got famous for popping out a bunch of kids, she decided to turn her body into a plastic sack of womanly toys. Which is all fine and dandy, but there's no need for the attitude. Everybody knows you're now relatively hot now. We don't have to talk about it like you're the next Marilyn Monroe! Which brings me to my next point.

It seems as though her new attitude as given her a license to treat Jon like crap. Jon didn't ask for this. I'm very empathetic to his situation. He was just chugging along in life, suddenly his wife takes a couple of fertility pills and he's suddenly thrusted onto the national scene. Hey listen, $75K and episode would effect anyone! But I truly feel that he's grounded in ways that she's not. He knows his roots and seems like an all-around ok dude. She's hell on two plastic legs.

So now it appears that the two are splitting up. I wouldn't put it past the TV Illuminati that this is just some sort of deceptive move among the powers at be at TLC that this is some kind of hoax to build ratings. But even if it was. I wouldn't blame him if he did take off and bolt. His life turned from average middle class, to 8 kids and a bitchy wife, to paparazzi. No one at all would blame him for getting out of all of that. Of course, I'd hate to pay the child support for 8 kids.

I think the bigger issue here is attitude change by Kate. Once she got hot, she changed. It's not unlike alot of situations out there where the fat girl turns hot and suddenly she obtains an attitude. But just once in this god forsaken world we live in, I'd like to watch something where the woman remains true to herself. Where she's the same person to the end....Kinda like Pam from The Office. At least some of that is improv. Right?