Reason... and its Fight with "The World" (as they see it)

I haven't posted a blog in a while, mainly because I haven't had sufficient motivation to, but after a good talk with a very smart and understanding man today and a good episode of Criminal Minds I am ready to go. I'm getting rather sick of a certain group of individuals I come in contact with (I'm almost sure none of them will ever read this blog, if that's not a dead giveaway I don't think you'll ever know). These certain individuals aren't very intelligent like the group of friends I prefer and enjoy to be around, and what bothers me most is their lack of maturity and insight. Argument and rebuttal are useless with these individuals because they deny reason. "Reason is not automatic. Those who deny it cannot be conquered by it. Do not count on them. Leave them alone." -Ayn Rand. There is little chance of me making any progress with this group and right now I understand and accept that the best option is to simply try to "leave them alone." While I am forced to be with them almost every day for hours at a time from now until November, I'll have to find a better way to interact with them because the current lack of respect from them is not acceptable. I don't mind keeping to yourself and not making the best of friends with me, but if you are going attempt to make a fool of someone for no other reason than that you do not have something I possess, that being a fully functional brain, or for none other than a need for a scapegoat for your own problems, look elsewhere, for I am not this target. I don't take this kind of treatment and I certainly don't deserve it. I try to leave these individuals alone, but I cannot control the actions of others. I'd like to see them try to stop my assertive personality, because "the question is not who is going to let me; it's who is going to stop me?" -Ayn Rand.

But I completely understand that "the truth is not for all men, but only for those who seek it" -Ayn Rand, and that is clearly something these individuals do not care to discover. Not everyone grows up, but hopefully some of these people do.

I am not a brute, or a jock; I consider myself of more the intellectual/artistic type. I am the guy who finds humor and enjoyment in the subtleties of conversation or in an intellectual conversation, and not one whose pride and values are bounded at my physical abilities or how funny the masses thought my "come-back" was. I do not put physical activity outside of my capacity for enjoyment, but I do place it below intellectual endeavors. I think its rather obvious that I'm talking about football, and if you haven't figured it out already, you never would have anyway. I enjoy staying in shape and bettering my physical condition and the challenge of the game, but I don't like the lack of respect I get from my teammates.

So before any "choir kid" or any other non-sport judges me, they should understand that I'm not some football meathead, but merely an intellectual who remains involved in the physical endeavors that I have been committed to since early childhood. I am an intellectual at heart and in mind, but I find pride, not shame, in the fact that I can also take part in sports and do well while still taking AP and Honors classes. Judge me if you like, but I and the very smart Ayn Rand would likely say you are one who denies reason.

Happy 4th of July

Well, its the 4th of July, the date that marks the day the United States of America declared their independence from England. It brings me to think about our government and how our nation was founded. I dislike statements of "fuck the police" and those who advocate anarchy. Do those people not recognize that our founding fathers were not dumb and that the past is not so different from the present, in that it is not so out of the ordinary to believe that our founding fathers had a similar enough environment to understand the pro's and con's of such a practice. Anarchy can not be a viable option, because the people are too dumb to understand it's real use. It would serve the intellectuals fine, but those who cannot see what good may come of it would abuse this new "freedom". And so it is not "freedom" that would be granted by anarchy, but chaos. There must be a presence to keep the individual in place. If one believes that they can do anything they like without punishment, they do not understand the place of government. It is to regulate and help the greater good.

On matters such as economics and foreign policy, everyone has their own opinion and most think that there is a better way than the methods of the current government. However not many realize how much more complex such decisions are. There are more factors in play than one could possibly imagine. I am in no way taking defense of politicians, because many are corrupt and there could be much better people, but I am defending the doctrines of our government.

As for the intellectuals, who I do respect, who consider anarchy as an option, I still see faulty logic. I understand that one may think that they do not need a group of elderly, wealthy, men to decide how their lives will be governed, but it comes down to the fact that they are not governing 'your' life, but the way all are affected.

I can't even finish this blog, so I'll leave it open ended. I can't address all opposition to structured government at this time, so I'll leave it open to comment. If I come across the rest of my argument, maybe I will finish it, but I just can't seem to finish at this time and that's alright with me.

Danny Boy

A Good Day

I almost forgot what it felt like to have a good day. A good day has been so hard to come by lately, and although its not over, it is certainly been a great day so far. I woke up pretty early, had a nice breakfast, and read in the morning. Then I went and played a round of golf with my dad and uncle. When I got back my family ate at my aunt and uncles and I had close to a literal ton of steak, shrimp, and chicken. To top it all off I had my great aunt's homemade Italian pastries from Queens that I haven't had in years. So yes, this day was great, full of things I enjoy: golf, family, and food. I'm glad to say that although all days haven't been great, they have all been tremendous learning experiences. Every day is a lesson, and just as much of a blessing to me as ever. I hope this day is a good preview of what July will be like for me: a month of freedom and ability to do as I please. I like that

Danny Boy

Summer Night

Hello bloggers,

Well its another after-midnight summer night and I'm up as usual, but instead of being able to sleep in until my body feels I have sufficient sleep, I have to wake up around 630 (regular school time) to go in and change my schedule. Then I'm staying in until 1 to help coach the youth football camp, which is a fun time, but some of the kids are little brats. Its for the greater good so I suck it up. I digress, I'm still unsure, but I think I want to change my class level for English. I'm currently enrolled in AP Literature, a very challenging and exciting class that I am thrilled to be a part of, especially after seeing how AP Language was this year, but the work load is at least double that of the next level down, Honors English 12. I enjoy the challenge, and I probably have the time to do the work, but it leaves me very little leisure time, time to play music, or do my own independent study, two things that make me very happy. So I'm stuck in this dilemma, and I think, after doing well and then giving up on doing work and losing a good grade this year, that I am going to take the easy road out and go for English Honors. I figure this will give me a much easier work load and I'll be able to continue to learn piano, sing in the choir, play football, possibly baseball, and have fun my senior year while still maintaining good grades. Hopefully this works out for me in the long run.

Danny Boy

Get Ready Bloggers

I don't like to have to worry about the way I form my sentences, or the way I write (or type for that matter). So from here on out, as long as I feel like it, I will stop worrying about the way sentences sound for more than the instant it comes to my mind. I won't worry about capitalizing "i"s or misspelling words. I think the best way for me to record my thoughts in words is in this manner: i don't have to worry about these errors of translation, translation from my thoughts to English. i don't think in english language, not many of us do. We have our own language of thought in our mind that we interpret and apply to english. it is a settlement. For me i realize that my words are only a settlement for the true meaning. i want to read the dictionary for this reason: so i can better my vocabulary and get a better deal with my mind. I sometimes stutter or hesitate when speaking for this reason, and people misjudge it for stupidity. I guess they don't see that its the exact opposite, its understanding and contemplation. I understand the strong effects and implications that language holds, and that my choice of words is vital to the conveyance of my message. So far, in my time with others, I can only remember one or two occasions where i believed that the other person truly understood what i meant: that we were both in tune with each other. My words were enough. That is not too common. I wish i could have that more. I know i talk a lot. if you don't like it, sorry, thats me :)

Danny Boy

Prove Me Wrong

Dear No One,

I heard people did this, and it sounded really cool, but I immediately knew it wasn't for me. Even though I write journals all the time, its never public, only for myself. However I recently read a few blogs from people I know and I figured that they might enjoy reading my thoughts as I did theirs. I initially didn't want to create a blog because I thought no one cared to read what I have to say, but maybe I'll be wrong.

One thing I liked about the blogs I've read was how well written they actually were. They were interesting, clear and concise (I hope that I don't ramble too much in these). I loved how the titles were so well chosen, something I doubt I'll do effectively. If I did chose a witty, appropriate title, I'd have to write it at the end of writing my piece, or at least midway through, as I did with this blog. So, blogger.com, prove me wrong.

Danny Boy