Dear Diane,
I'm sure this probably isn't your type of show, but I just took a study break to watch the season two finale of 'Californication'. It's a great show.
Quick synopsis: David Duchovny stars as Hank Moody, a New York writer who moves to LA(which he hates) to write a screenplay for one of his books. He ends up staying because the love of his life and his daughter are there and he's trying to win them back. Through it all he lives a life of suspended adolescence through sex, drugs and rock and roll.
There's plenty of reasons to love the show, including the sex, drugs and rock and roll, but the part of the show that has me really into it is the emotional aspect of the story between Hank and his daughter. It may sound horrible, but the character of Hank Moody is exactly the type of father I want to be some day. Well, maybe not EXACTLY, but I definitely see the merits of his parenting style.
Let me explain; Hank is a guy who, no matter how screwed up his life is, is always there for his daughter. He trusts her to make her own decisions, but is willing to show parental discipline. He sets an environment where she's free to come to him with her problems and gives his 2 cents without judgment, dishing out the wisdom he's gained from his long list of mistakes. But most importantly, he makes it known how much he loves his daughter through actions, not just words.
This season ended with him letting his ex-common-law-wife go back to New York alone so that their daughter could stay in LA. His words as he gave up on his dreams were "At the end of the day it's all about her. It's always been about her. I can't control what happens between us; Lord knows I've tried, every which way. But what I can do is be the best possible me I can be for her."
I know I'm not even close to being the type of guy who is ready to make those sacrifices, but when the day comes that I have children, I'll be looking to the parenting advice of the tremendously damaged Hank Moody.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Sunday, December 7, 2008
A word of caution
Dear Diane,
I caught a little of the coverage of the Anti-Coalition rallys across Canada yesterday and, with particular interest, in Winnipeg. What I saw was a little disheartening. What was supposed to be a pro-democracy, anti-coalition rally turned into a pro-Conservative rally attended by many people that I look up to. I have no problem with our Conservative Cabinet ministers, MPs and provincial MLAs showing up to express their outrage at what has taken place in the past few weeks, but what did throw me was the overt partisanism in the crowd and what I observed as a bit of a spring in the step of those in attendance. It left me turned off and more disappointed than ever in the direction this crisis is taking.
In the past week, we have seen a backlash against the coalition by regular Canadians; people who have tuned out the political static for years because it all seems the same to them. This crisis put politics back in the forefront of their minds. It had them talking about it, not only at the coffee shops where small talk reigns supreme, but at the kitchen table. What happened in Parliament really mattered. And for the most part, people couldn't stomach the idea that a democratically elected government, minority or not, could be toppled before they could even produce their first budget. They took their outrage to the editorial columns; the talk radio airwaves; and most important to the politicos amoung us, the public opinion polls.
But along the way, the political junkies lost sight of what was really happening. What was a backlash against parliament's behavior(including the Conservatives) began to be thought of as a win. We started to puff out our chests and see it as a victory for the good guys, one that could possibly be used to get that coveted majority with. The public opinion polls that have the Conservatives up several points are a reflection of us being the best choice...of a bad bunch.
The stand against the coalition by ordinary Canadians is one that is principled and thought out and directly associated with the facts of this crisis. They didn't want the government they elected handed over to a smaller minority, backed by seperatists, and headed by possibly the biggest political failure of the past half century. It didn't make sense to do so and as a result, Canadians sided overwhelmingly with us as Conservatives.
But we must not forget that it was arrogance in our leadership that lead us to the brink of disaster in the first place. Our constant need to put politics ahead of policy drove the opposition to roll the dice and lose. But the game is not over. If we fail to be humble in the face of this parliamentary disaster and try to politicize it, we run the very real risk of having the pendulum of public opinion swing back to the left. Stephen Harper has never been a sympathetic figure and if it doesn't make sense to support him, the public will turn in an instant.
To sum it up, I'd really like to see my fellow Conservatives let this take its course. Instead of trying to push our way to the front of this anti-coalition movement, let's keep our heads down and work on solving the economic problems our country faces. Let the Coalition take their case to the people; we're the governing party and no one can take that away from us unless we let them. For once, let's not give them a reason to.
I caught a little of the coverage of the Anti-Coalition rallys across Canada yesterday and, with particular interest, in Winnipeg. What I saw was a little disheartening. What was supposed to be a pro-democracy, anti-coalition rally turned into a pro-Conservative rally attended by many people that I look up to. I have no problem with our Conservative Cabinet ministers, MPs and provincial MLAs showing up to express their outrage at what has taken place in the past few weeks, but what did throw me was the overt partisanism in the crowd and what I observed as a bit of a spring in the step of those in attendance. It left me turned off and more disappointed than ever in the direction this crisis is taking.
In the past week, we have seen a backlash against the coalition by regular Canadians; people who have tuned out the political static for years because it all seems the same to them. This crisis put politics back in the forefront of their minds. It had them talking about it, not only at the coffee shops where small talk reigns supreme, but at the kitchen table. What happened in Parliament really mattered. And for the most part, people couldn't stomach the idea that a democratically elected government, minority or not, could be toppled before they could even produce their first budget. They took their outrage to the editorial columns; the talk radio airwaves; and most important to the politicos amoung us, the public opinion polls.
But along the way, the political junkies lost sight of what was really happening. What was a backlash against parliament's behavior(including the Conservatives) began to be thought of as a win. We started to puff out our chests and see it as a victory for the good guys, one that could possibly be used to get that coveted majority with. The public opinion polls that have the Conservatives up several points are a reflection of us being the best choice...of a bad bunch.
The stand against the coalition by ordinary Canadians is one that is principled and thought out and directly associated with the facts of this crisis. They didn't want the government they elected handed over to a smaller minority, backed by seperatists, and headed by possibly the biggest political failure of the past half century. It didn't make sense to do so and as a result, Canadians sided overwhelmingly with us as Conservatives.
But we must not forget that it was arrogance in our leadership that lead us to the brink of disaster in the first place. Our constant need to put politics ahead of policy drove the opposition to roll the dice and lose. But the game is not over. If we fail to be humble in the face of this parliamentary disaster and try to politicize it, we run the very real risk of having the pendulum of public opinion swing back to the left. Stephen Harper has never been a sympathetic figure and if it doesn't make sense to support him, the public will turn in an instant.
To sum it up, I'd really like to see my fellow Conservatives let this take its course. Instead of trying to push our way to the front of this anti-coalition movement, let's keep our heads down and work on solving the economic problems our country faces. Let the Coalition take their case to the people; we're the governing party and no one can take that away from us unless we let them. For once, let's not give them a reason to.
One down, three to go
Diane,
Had my first exam in legal research today. I think I did relatively well, but who really knows. It was almost all multiple choice, and quite a few I knew were right, but there were 1/4 of the questions that I could only get down to two possible answers and had to take an educated guess. Right there is the difference betweeen a C and an A. I'll find out over the break if I was a good enough guesser.
I've been studying for Torts most of today and I feel okay about it. The exam is Tuesday and will be a tough one. I just have to do nothing but study for the next day and a half and hope that I understand it enough to put together answers that bring me to the top of the grade curve. We'll see how it works out.
Had my first exam in legal research today. I think I did relatively well, but who really knows. It was almost all multiple choice, and quite a few I knew were right, but there were 1/4 of the questions that I could only get down to two possible answers and had to take an educated guess. Right there is the difference betweeen a C and an A. I'll find out over the break if I was a good enough guesser.
I've been studying for Torts most of today and I feel okay about it. The exam is Tuesday and will be a tough one. I just have to do nothing but study for the next day and a half and hope that I understand it enough to put together answers that bring me to the top of the grade curve. We'll see how it works out.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Ashes, Ashes, We all fall down...
Diane,
I'm surprised I haven't written about this sooner, but it's time to get neck deep in the Coalition Crisis. Warning to those in the first three rows: You are seated in the splash zone and are likely to leave covered in spittle from my lunatic ravings.
Let's start out by admitting my bias; I am and always have been a partisan Conservative supporter who, while not always happy with the path of my party, will always mark my X next to the C. Today I'm as unhappy as ever with my political choices on the Federal level.
Our federal system is a mess. We have a Prime Minister who has decided to play in the political sandbox instead of working towards Canadian solutions in this global economic downturn. I agree with the decision to cut the funding to political parties; it's unnecessary and wasteful. But for it to be the first act of a new parliament was like rubbing salt in wounds of a beaten, but still dangerous animal. It was the final straw for those who saw Stephen Harper as nothing more than a bully who was using his important position to play political games. The opposition had had enough.
The Coalition that was formed between the Liberals and the NDP under Stephane Dion is one of the most interesting things I have seen in politics. You have to admire the pluck of a relatively small group of downtrodden MPs that stand up against an economic policy that is so offensive to Canadian sensibilities. In the early days of this Coalition talk, I actually found myself agreeing with "the other side".
But those days have long passed. Prime Minister Harper did what smart people do when faced with long odds...he moved away from his position. One by one he dropped the contentious issues in his economic statement, but all that did was add to the fury that was growing in the Coalition. It wasn't enough. It was never enough. The blood was in the water and the frenzy couldn't be stopped. Canadians were faced with an unreasonable, tunnel-visioned opposition that could not be prevented from toppling our seven week old Parliament before it could even get going.
Yesterday's prorogation of Parliament is one of the saddest days of my life watching politics. Our Governor General set a dangerous Constitutional Precedent that allowed the government to escape a confidence vote in the House of Commons. It closed our Parliament in some of the darkest economic days Canadians have seen in a long time. Our dollar is in free fall, our businesses are floundering as Canadians pinch their pennies at the busiest time of the year. All the while our elected officials can do nothing for 2 months because of the prorogation. But you know what? The Governor General made the absolute right decision. When faced with the choices of a new government, another election, or a time out for overheated MPs, Michelle Jean picked the best option of a bad bunch.
I place a heavy load of the original blame for this mess at the feet of our Prime Minister, but I have nothing but seething contempt for the Opposition for their role recently. Their inability to look past the slights of our bully of a PM and do what is best for Canada has dropped us into a nightmare the likes of which we have never seen. There was NO WAY that this Coalition could effectively govern under Stephane Dion. Sure, they could have toppled the government and had the initial confidence of the house to form Cabinet around Mr. Dion, but all that would be done from the moment the government fell until May's Liberal Leadership Convention would be for the Liberals and New Democrats to sit on their hands, doing nothing that might upset the bloc enough for them to topple the Coalition and send us into an election with their lame duck PM at the helm. In times like these, it's up to those who have been elected to show true leadership and earn the faith and confidence of the people they represent. We may not be seeing that from our Prime Minister, but I can guarentee that the majority of Canadians would rather have the Conservative Party govern over the next six month than a hodgepodge of Liberal, NDP and Bloc MPs under a PM on his way out the door.
Today I feel horrible about the direction of our government. They can't seem to get along and the opposition seems hell bent on destroying the government, even if they have to take the state with them. If they can't find the spirit of cooperation and goodwill that Canadians are stereotypically known for, then we are in for a long harsh winter. I pray those 308 men and women lucky enough to represent us will realize that.
I'm surprised I haven't written about this sooner, but it's time to get neck deep in the Coalition Crisis. Warning to those in the first three rows: You are seated in the splash zone and are likely to leave covered in spittle from my lunatic ravings.
Let's start out by admitting my bias; I am and always have been a partisan Conservative supporter who, while not always happy with the path of my party, will always mark my X next to the C. Today I'm as unhappy as ever with my political choices on the Federal level.
Our federal system is a mess. We have a Prime Minister who has decided to play in the political sandbox instead of working towards Canadian solutions in this global economic downturn. I agree with the decision to cut the funding to political parties; it's unnecessary and wasteful. But for it to be the first act of a new parliament was like rubbing salt in wounds of a beaten, but still dangerous animal. It was the final straw for those who saw Stephen Harper as nothing more than a bully who was using his important position to play political games. The opposition had had enough.
The Coalition that was formed between the Liberals and the NDP under Stephane Dion is one of the most interesting things I have seen in politics. You have to admire the pluck of a relatively small group of downtrodden MPs that stand up against an economic policy that is so offensive to Canadian sensibilities. In the early days of this Coalition talk, I actually found myself agreeing with "the other side".
But those days have long passed. Prime Minister Harper did what smart people do when faced with long odds...he moved away from his position. One by one he dropped the contentious issues in his economic statement, but all that did was add to the fury that was growing in the Coalition. It wasn't enough. It was never enough. The blood was in the water and the frenzy couldn't be stopped. Canadians were faced with an unreasonable, tunnel-visioned opposition that could not be prevented from toppling our seven week old Parliament before it could even get going.
Yesterday's prorogation of Parliament is one of the saddest days of my life watching politics. Our Governor General set a dangerous Constitutional Precedent that allowed the government to escape a confidence vote in the House of Commons. It closed our Parliament in some of the darkest economic days Canadians have seen in a long time. Our dollar is in free fall, our businesses are floundering as Canadians pinch their pennies at the busiest time of the year. All the while our elected officials can do nothing for 2 months because of the prorogation. But you know what? The Governor General made the absolute right decision. When faced with the choices of a new government, another election, or a time out for overheated MPs, Michelle Jean picked the best option of a bad bunch.
I place a heavy load of the original blame for this mess at the feet of our Prime Minister, but I have nothing but seething contempt for the Opposition for their role recently. Their inability to look past the slights of our bully of a PM and do what is best for Canada has dropped us into a nightmare the likes of which we have never seen. There was NO WAY that this Coalition could effectively govern under Stephane Dion. Sure, they could have toppled the government and had the initial confidence of the house to form Cabinet around Mr. Dion, but all that would be done from the moment the government fell until May's Liberal Leadership Convention would be for the Liberals and New Democrats to sit on their hands, doing nothing that might upset the bloc enough for them to topple the Coalition and send us into an election with their lame duck PM at the helm. In times like these, it's up to those who have been elected to show true leadership and earn the faith and confidence of the people they represent. We may not be seeing that from our Prime Minister, but I can guarentee that the majority of Canadians would rather have the Conservative Party govern over the next six month than a hodgepodge of Liberal, NDP and Bloc MPs under a PM on his way out the door.
Today I feel horrible about the direction of our government. They can't seem to get along and the opposition seems hell bent on destroying the government, even if they have to take the state with them. If they can't find the spirit of cooperation and goodwill that Canadians are stereotypically known for, then we are in for a long harsh winter. I pray those 308 men and women lucky enough to represent us will realize that.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Amazing still it seems, she'll be 23
Dear Diane,
Tomorrow marks a milestone: It's Holly's 23rd birthday. Why is 23 an birthday of note? Because my 23rd birthday was the day before our first date. Holly is turning the same age I was when we started dating. Oddly enough, that makes me feel old. I don't know, but it sucks being away from her on her birthday, even if we aren't together. She's still one of my best friends and I wish I could be there to celebrate with her this weekend. But I know she'll have a great time, with or without me.
Here's the song I was listening to nonstop throughout the days leading up to my 23rd, "23" by Jimmy Eat World:
I felt for sure last night
That once we said goodbye
No one else will know these lonely dreams
No one else will know that part of me
I'm still driving away
And I'm sorry every day
I won't always love these selfish things
I won't always live...Not stopping...
It was my turn to decide
I knew this was our time
No one else will have me like you do
No one else will have me, only you
You'll sit alone forever
If you wait for the right time
What are you hoping for?
I'm here I'm now I'm ready
Holding on tight
Don't give away the end
The one thing that stays mine
Amazing still it seems
I'll be 23
I won't always love what I'll never have
I won't always live in my regrets
You'll sit alone forever
If you wait for the right time
What are you hoping for?
I'm here I'm now I'm ready
Holding on tight
Don't give away the end
The one thing that stays mine
You'll sit alone forever
If you wait for the right time
What are you hoping for?
I'm here I'm now I'm ready
Holding on tight
Don't give away the end
The one thing that stays mine...
Happy Birthday, Holls. Love you Lots.
Tomorrow marks a milestone: It's Holly's 23rd birthday. Why is 23 an birthday of note? Because my 23rd birthday was the day before our first date. Holly is turning the same age I was when we started dating. Oddly enough, that makes me feel old. I don't know, but it sucks being away from her on her birthday, even if we aren't together. She's still one of my best friends and I wish I could be there to celebrate with her this weekend. But I know she'll have a great time, with or without me.
Here's the song I was listening to nonstop throughout the days leading up to my 23rd, "23" by Jimmy Eat World:
I felt for sure last night
That once we said goodbye
No one else will know these lonely dreams
No one else will know that part of me
I'm still driving away
And I'm sorry every day
I won't always love these selfish things
I won't always live...Not stopping...
It was my turn to decide
I knew this was our time
No one else will have me like you do
No one else will have me, only you
You'll sit alone forever
If you wait for the right time
What are you hoping for?
I'm here I'm now I'm ready
Holding on tight
Don't give away the end
The one thing that stays mine
Amazing still it seems
I'll be 23
I won't always love what I'll never have
I won't always live in my regrets
You'll sit alone forever
If you wait for the right time
What are you hoping for?
I'm here I'm now I'm ready
Holding on tight
Don't give away the end
The one thing that stays mine
You'll sit alone forever
If you wait for the right time
What are you hoping for?
I'm here I'm now I'm ready
Holding on tight
Don't give away the end
The one thing that stays mine...
Happy Birthday, Holls. Love you Lots.
Law School Thoughts
Diane,
I'm entering the final stretch here on my first semester of law school. I've done all the assignments that need to be done and I'm now in full exam preparation. It's amazing that I have been in Tulsa for 3 and a half months now and how that time seems like forever.
Right now I'm thinking about how much the classroom dynamic has changed since we started. In the past few days, I've talked to a couple of my friends about how they're so happy that they'll be able to change seats next semester, having chosen to sit next to somebody in every class that they immediately connected with, who they now hate. The people that you initially are best friends with eventually show who they really are and are no longer the people you want to associate with. I remember my first week here and the 8 or 9 people that I was close with, or thought that I'd be great friends with; of that group only 5 are close friends of mine and the others I could care less about.
This place is an island. You get locked into a routine with a small group of people who are now your peer group. With the amount of free time you realistically have, there's little opportunity to expand your circle and you end up running into the same people, day in and day out. There's bound to be gossip, hookups, blowups, and any number of decisions that come back to bite you by the time your first semester is over.
I don't think I've screwed up all that bad. I think I'm four good days away from a free ride in January. But I look around and see how much things have changed and you can't help but wonder if this stressful period will become a little more relaxed in January, or if it will keep climbing to it's crescendo in May. All I know is that I'll be breathing a little easier on the 18th...regardless of if that breath is sticking to the insides of my lungs like a frost-covered spiderweb.
I'm entering the final stretch here on my first semester of law school. I've done all the assignments that need to be done and I'm now in full exam preparation. It's amazing that I have been in Tulsa for 3 and a half months now and how that time seems like forever.
Right now I'm thinking about how much the classroom dynamic has changed since we started. In the past few days, I've talked to a couple of my friends about how they're so happy that they'll be able to change seats next semester, having chosen to sit next to somebody in every class that they immediately connected with, who they now hate. The people that you initially are best friends with eventually show who they really are and are no longer the people you want to associate with. I remember my first week here and the 8 or 9 people that I was close with, or thought that I'd be great friends with; of that group only 5 are close friends of mine and the others I could care less about.
This place is an island. You get locked into a routine with a small group of people who are now your peer group. With the amount of free time you realistically have, there's little opportunity to expand your circle and you end up running into the same people, day in and day out. There's bound to be gossip, hookups, blowups, and any number of decisions that come back to bite you by the time your first semester is over.
I don't think I've screwed up all that bad. I think I'm four good days away from a free ride in January. But I look around and see how much things have changed and you can't help but wonder if this stressful period will become a little more relaxed in January, or if it will keep climbing to it's crescendo in May. All I know is that I'll be breathing a little easier on the 18th...regardless of if that breath is sticking to the insides of my lungs like a frost-covered spiderweb.
Sean Avery and the NHL
Diane,
With all that's going on, I don't know why I'd want to write about Sean Avery, but I do. If you didn't know, a few days ago Avery got in front of cameras in Calgary and disparaged his ex-girlfriend, Elisha Cuthbert, and her new boyfriend, Flames' Defenseman Dion Phaneuf with these comments:
"I just want to comment on how it's become like a common thing in the NHL for guys to fall in love with my Sloppy Seconds. I don't know what that's about, but enjoy the game tonight."
It was crude, ill-timed, and not at all funny. Gary Bettman has suspended him indefinitely, possibly ending Avery's career over these comments. The move has been universally applauded, but I'm finding it to be another missed opportunity by the NHL.
For people who love hockey, it's the game that draws them in. They know the players, they love the tradition and nuances of the game itself. But in the Southern US, where Gary Bettman has always attempted to cultivate a following, Professional Hockey is either a forgotten giant, or a novelty for the masses to gawk at on occasion. For people who have never bothered to watch hockey, the perception of the NHL is that it is filled with burley goons that beat the holy hell out of each other, followed by short periods of time where players try and get a tiny black thing into a net. This is something that will never change unless people tune in for themselves. This is where Avery fits in.
Sean Avery is an Asshole. There's no denying that. But he is also a gifted hockey player that has crossover appeal. He's dated Actresses; He's Dated Supermodels; He has interned for 'Vogue'; He's a tabloid favorite. His comments and actions are horrendous and idiotic, but when ESPN bothers to cover an NHL story, it's not the game; it's something tawdry that will get non-NHL fans to momentarily take notice.
Months ago, Avery made some comments about Jarome Iginla and the NHL he said "the NHL does a terrible job of marketing" by not promoting its "villains," and that "nobody cares about Jarome Iginla and guys like that, they're just not exciting enough." He's right. Everybody loves to hate someone and they will tune in to see them get beaten. Not having Avery on the ice prevents the NHL from capitalizing on the infamy. Getting those rubberneckers to watch a game for Avery's antics allows the NHL an opportunity to bring in new fans. It gets people to cheer AGAINST whatever he is and sets a relationship with other players and teams.
Distractions may not be good for the locker room, but it makes for ratings gold. Bettman needs to wake up and realize that people need a reason to be drawn to hockey before they become fans. Sean Avery is a horrible person, but a great marketing tool.
With all that's going on, I don't know why I'd want to write about Sean Avery, but I do. If you didn't know, a few days ago Avery got in front of cameras in Calgary and disparaged his ex-girlfriend, Elisha Cuthbert, and her new boyfriend, Flames' Defenseman Dion Phaneuf with these comments:
"I just want to comment on how it's become like a common thing in the NHL for guys to fall in love with my Sloppy Seconds. I don't know what that's about, but enjoy the game tonight."
It was crude, ill-timed, and not at all funny. Gary Bettman has suspended him indefinitely, possibly ending Avery's career over these comments. The move has been universally applauded, but I'm finding it to be another missed opportunity by the NHL.
For people who love hockey, it's the game that draws them in. They know the players, they love the tradition and nuances of the game itself. But in the Southern US, where Gary Bettman has always attempted to cultivate a following, Professional Hockey is either a forgotten giant, or a novelty for the masses to gawk at on occasion. For people who have never bothered to watch hockey, the perception of the NHL is that it is filled with burley goons that beat the holy hell out of each other, followed by short periods of time where players try and get a tiny black thing into a net. This is something that will never change unless people tune in for themselves. This is where Avery fits in.
Sean Avery is an Asshole. There's no denying that. But he is also a gifted hockey player that has crossover appeal. He's dated Actresses; He's Dated Supermodels; He has interned for 'Vogue'; He's a tabloid favorite. His comments and actions are horrendous and idiotic, but when ESPN bothers to cover an NHL story, it's not the game; it's something tawdry that will get non-NHL fans to momentarily take notice.
Months ago, Avery made some comments about Jarome Iginla and the NHL he said "the NHL does a terrible job of marketing" by not promoting its "villains," and that "nobody cares about Jarome Iginla and guys like that, they're just not exciting enough." He's right. Everybody loves to hate someone and they will tune in to see them get beaten. Not having Avery on the ice prevents the NHL from capitalizing on the infamy. Getting those rubberneckers to watch a game for Avery's antics allows the NHL an opportunity to bring in new fans. It gets people to cheer AGAINST whatever he is and sets a relationship with other players and teams.
Distractions may not be good for the locker room, but it makes for ratings gold. Bettman needs to wake up and realize that people need a reason to be drawn to hockey before they become fans. Sean Avery is a horrible person, but a great marketing tool.
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