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One of the things that always made me feel (personally) shady come campaign season was the idea of putting your views out there in written form for all the world to see--a party or political platform. There are so many issues I'm not sure about and I can't take a stance on. However, the other day while talking to a friend about some issues, I got an inkling of an idea: maybe I should write my beliefs down. It would be good, in the interest of self-reflection, to think them through and but them into writing. I need to understand for myself why I believe what I believe, and see where the areas of contradiction are, and areas are strongly supported, and what areas aren't supported at all. I submit them here in what will hopefully be an evolving list. By posting these views publicly I am, of course, welcoming public scrutiny, commentary and questions. This works to strengthen my views which I feel are right (by defending them), and change the views which perhaps I cannot defend (it's better to be 'correct' than 'right'). But keep in mind that I am not a political candidate nor an expert (in anything). My reasons may not always be rational or always supported well, and my stances won't affect public policy (so don't get emotional if you disagree!) These are my personal views based on what I know of an issue at a particular time. Many of them I could honestly go either way--one way one day, another the next. As I am not an expert on these subjects, there is the possibility that my views might not be the best for the nation. I haven't run the numbers, so it might actually be prohibitively expensive for a nation to even hold these views. I understand that some, while I feel they are the "right" choice, might not necessarily be for the good of the country. Geopolitics isn't really my area. In choosing the issue, I went to the campaign sites of Clinton, Obama and McCain and chose a few, but that doesn't mean I won't add more later. So, that being said, let me introduce you to: ( webb21 on the issues: Scott's Political Platform 2008 )(This is an ever-evolving piece. Check back for updates!) Last updated: March 6th, 2008Tags: politics
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I got a letter from my dad today. He's in work release now and can even get phone calls (sent me a picture too). I also got a letter and a package from my grandma (dad's mom). She's written a book and sent me a promotional copy. Inside she wrote, "Now it's your turn!" The pressure is on!
From these reminds I had a dream awhile ago (as in when I was sleeping earlier--I just woke up). In it I was having a birthday party. There were lots of people there, but nobody was making a big deal that I was the birthday boy. Most people were outside playing, and I was inside sitting on a couch. I liked it that way--no pressure, no big deals made. Nobody treated me like some special class just cause it was my birthday--everybody had birthdays.
Anyway, everyone came in and the actual party started and my dad was there, like the work release program let him attend. I went up and gave him and gave him a big hug, two actually, and nearly cried. Then I went and sat back down, and sitting next to my now was my mom. In the dream she was still dead, but there was this understanding that on important events like birthdays she was allowed to visit. I had this knowing that she had come to my previous year's birthday and I think something important happened then, but I don't know what it was. I've only dreamt of her a handful of times since she died, and usually it's me seeing her again after all this time. I really happy and also a little confused in these dreams. Like I wonder how is it I'm seeing her.. did she not really die, but maybe went away? I want to ask her these questions, but I'm also scared of wasting what time I have with asking them. So I'm always confused and never get answers. Come to think... while I talk to her, I'm not sure if she ever replies.
I've started keeping a more daily journal now, but it's written. The entries aren't private or anything (just mundane), but this way I can give my writing desk some use. I didn't feel like clearing it (the desk) off and finding my notebook, so I'm writing today's entry here :P
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A couple weeks ago a dug out some genealogy stuff my grandma and others had done years ago. Lineage lines have always interested me. I like seeing the passage of time marked down in generations, and to imagine myself in such a person's position, or to see the link from person x to person y, and thereby connect them to whatever events happened in the others life. For instance, to find out your grandfather served in WWI can make you feel a connection tot hat time and those events and make them seem more real. Well, at least that's how it is for me. I've made several lineage charts for various stories I've made up in my mind, but never my own. So, a couple weeks ago, I sat down and wrote mine. I found out I'm a 9th generation US-based Webb. Anyway, here's the Webb's on my father's side going back to the first one in the US (Well, starting there, actually--earliest generation first): 1st Generation: Samuel Webb:1763 - 1848 (85 years) 2nd Generation: John Webb 1786 - 1867 (81 years) 3rd Generation: Benjamin Webb 1811 - 1882 (71 years) 4th Generation: Reuben Webb 1831 - 1912 (81 years) 5th Generation: Fred Webb 1867 - 1939 (72 years) 6th Generation: Harold Webb 1898 - 1952 (54 years) 7th Generation: Jack Webb 1931- (currently 77) 8th Generation: Frederick Webb 1953- (currently 55) 9th Generation: Scott Webb 1982- (currently 25) What I found interesting was that just this year (last month) my dad surpassed his grandfather in age. When he replies to my letter I'll find out if he thinks that's interesting too :P The average age at time of death for these Webbs is 74 years. If I live to the average, I have about 49 years left. Better get to work! :D Current Music: She's Got A Way - Billy Joel
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It's kind of an old thing to make a list of things you want to do or accomplish in your life, but I'd never made one. That is, until last night (dun dun duunnnn). I noticed my list contained things in roughly two groups: things that you can do once to check off, (like "build a bike,") and things which are more recurring (like "be a better person). Some items could probably be in either list. Neither list is anywhere near exhaustive.
Things To Do
Play piano
Learn a foreign language (top picks: Japanese, Spanish, Arabic)
Learn to code (PHP, Javascript)
Write a novel
Create an amateur video (with a plot)
Improve my English
Do woodworking
Pay off my debt
Write a non-fiction book
Write a screenplay
Give sound investment advice
Raise adoring, well-adjusted children
Improve my penmanship
Write a song
Plant a garden
Procrastinate less
Write letters (pen and paper) to people
Seriously draw or paint a picture (despite my lack of talent)
Eat an animal I slaughtered and prepared myself
Learn archery
Contribute to an open source project
Exercise more
Write an elected official over an issue important to me
Prepare a full course meal for loved ones
Listen to old people tell their stories
Things To Be
Be more patient with people
Like and respect myself
Structure my day in a productive, disciplined fashion
Be more crafty
Be more self-sufficient
Independently study topics that interest me in a serious, disciplines fashion
Be more expressive with my face (show more emotion)
Have a more friendly, open demeanor
Sleep consistently
Take life more seriously
Manage my finances efficiently
Be more open with myself
Be helpful to people (intellectually, emotionally) in a non-condescending manner
Be more empathetic and sympathetic
Consider my words more carefully
Be more deliberate in my actions
Be more open to or accepting of constructive criticism
More honestly consider ideas and perspectives I do not agree with
Play with Ichi more
Be more accepting of praise
Be more gratuitous
Don't slouch
Swear less
Enunciate more
Use my powers for good and not for evil
Finish what I start
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James checked his rearview mirror. She was still there. That made, what, three turns now? James felt his heartbeat quicken and his cheeks warm. Did she see him? Was she following him? What if... maybe he caught her eye without even trying. Is there such a thing as love at first sight? Did she believe in it? What if she was following him, hoping that he'd stop, and then she'd stop. He'd wait there idling as she got out of her car and walked up to his driver side window. She wouldn't knock like a police officer, just stand there waiting patiently with a small, demure smile on her lips. James checked his mirror. Still there. After a few weeks of dating they'd get engaged. Things like that don't take very long, not when you're certain. The wedding would be a small one in some out of the way chapel her parents themselves were married in years ago. Close friends and family only, late spring. She would have flowers in her hair. His old friends (who's got time for them anymore?) would envy him at his catch and always ask how he landed her. "Oh, well, you see, I was driving home one day..." He would be the best damn husband a man could be and, a couple years later (between two and five) he'd be the best damn father a man could be. They would have at least two, no more than three kids. Well, that would be the plan anyway. Sometimes one was too much, and other times five was not enough. They'd play it by ear. Every couple of years she'd pull her old wedding dress out of the closet and look at it, just to reminisce. She'd tell her friends how, at their 10th anniversary things were still going on strong, and that they never got that seven year itch. A few years later she changed her hair and things went south. It was more plain now and rarely styled. They argued more and agreed less. James wasn't sure if it was the changed hair that caused the problems, or the problems that changed her hair. Boys are clueless like that. Around the time their first born went to college they started talking divorce. They'd been separated twice now and it seemed that things just couldn't be reconciled. They agreed to wait till all the kids were in college, just stick it out a few more years. It is important to keep up appearances. James would start seeing another woman. Nothing sexual, but she interested him in ways his wife no longer did. He suspected it was the same with her. It didn't feel right. Nothing felt right. Soon the fateful day came and they dropped their youngest off at university. Her hair was still relatively plain now, but her clothes were a little flashier and he'd grown a beard. They argued less and agreed more. They hadn't been separated since that second time and they no longer mentioned divorce. Instead, they planned a second honeymoon--a week or two to the islands for some fun under the sun. They'd call their kids to check up on them. "So dad, how'd you meet mom?" "Well, you see, I was driving home one day..." James checked his rearview mirror. She was gone. So much for that. Tags: celebrity, writing exposé
I'm feelin':  creative
Current Music: Get Me Away From Here, I'm Dying - Belle & Sebastian
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