Believe

I don't know what but I had the urge to make a post declaring the bands I believe in. I believe the words they sing, these are the bands that I think could move mountains if they so choose to do so. Their words, thoughts, and actions, hit like the weight of anvil. 

1. Four Year Strong

2. Set Your Goals

3. Rise Against

4. A Day To Remember

5. New Found Glory

6. Valencia

I'll update this post next week with examples but I've got to do some work now. 

Best or "Re-Inventing a Lost Art"

I've taken to signing my correspondence. 

Best, 

Zac J. 

I like it. It's a little different than "best wishes" or "all the best" it's just simple to the point no none sense. It's saying, "Alright, I'm done with my letter/message (I refuse to demean the connotation of the word 'letter' by calling computer mediated messages letters), and I want to offer you the best of whatever you might be partaking in soon." It's a little pompous, but no more than "Cheers." Which I am not old enough to be signing my letters with. 

On a similar note I'm pretty sure that I scared some high schoolers the other day. As I was longboarding to my car after class/library, I approached some girls wearing letter jackets that looked like they could be from Powell. As I got closer I realized they were from Powell and so when I passed them I asked to make certain and then said that I graduated from Powell in 2001 and then made some crack about being old, then asked that said, "do whatever you're going to do tonight the best you can do it, for the crazy old alumni" they laughed a genuine laugh and I proceeded on having never gotten off my longboard. I think they were cheerleaders on their way to the high school basketball jamboree. It was an interesting exchange. 

Time to write some paper action. 

An Open Letter to Warm Weather

Dear Warm Weather,

Hey I hope this letter finds you well in the southern hemisphere. I'm doing alright, school is getting kind of hectic, and I've got more research and writing to do than I care to think about, which is why I'm writing you a letter now.

OK, to be honest, I miss you like a fish misses water. I need you in my life, more than just 5-6 months out of the year. I can't do my favorite things when I'm without you WW. I can't swim. I can't drive (comfortably) with my windows down. I can't longboard comfortably. I can't wear t-shirts. Your cool breezes sure beat the hell out of these bitter winter winds.

I know when it's 90+ degrees I complain, but that's what makes you great WW, you're still there for me. Just when I start complaining you bring on some clouds or the evening to cool us down.

Basically what I'm saying is that you've only been away for a week or two now and I can't stand it. So hurry back and bring some aussie ladies with you.

Sincerely,
Zac

American Hearts

Tomorrow America will make history. America will make history for a multitude of reasons.
In 1870 the United States Congress ratified the 15th Amendment thus giving all men the right to vote. In 1920 the United States Congress ratified the 19th Amendment giving all women the right to vote. Tomorrow, Barack Obama and Sarah Palin will both run for the highest and second highest offices in the land, making history. Let us not forget that it was only 54 years ago that the Supreme Court declared "seperate but equal" unconstitutional with the landmark case, "Brown v. Board of Education (1954)." It seems prudent to give pause on the eve of this historic election and reflect on that thought alone; the thought that for all intents and purposes less than 100 years ago, Sarah Palin and Barack Obama would not have been considered equal to Joe Biden and John McCain.

Tomorrow, America will make one giant step toward a realization of Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Dream."

Tomorrow our country will be divided more than it has been in 150 years, but on Wednesday we will once again stand unified, ready to stand together and charge further into the new millenium.

Tomorrow our country will participate in the greatest exercise of democracy in the free world. Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, and Abraham Lincoln will all look upon it with wonder from the great beyond.

Tomorrow one will lose and one will win, and at the end of the day they will shake hands and move forward. Each still continuing to strive for the betterment of America.

Tomorrow, regardless of the victor, our country will move in a new direction.

I encourage you to think and meditate on this. I truly don't care who you vote for (of course I have my opinion but that's not what this is about). I just want you, the voters, to make an educated decision. After a thorough examination of the facts, figures, and issues then go, cast your vote, participate. Become part of the system. Use the system. I don't want to hear, "my vote doesn't matter." Nor do I want to hear anyone say, "I don't like either candidate" then vote third party, do the leg work find the candidate, Your Candidate, the one that embodies your hopes and fears, one that you share a vision with, and then Go. Vote. Partipate. That's what being a responsible American Voter is all about.

God Bless America. God Bless us Everyone.