Relationship Words (via bobatitan.wordpress.com)

After reading Marriage Gems' post 'We All Married the Wrong Person', there were two words that caught my attention and would not stop nagging at my brain.

Committed Relationship.

Now, I won't even begin to act as though I am on the same level as @lorilowe when it comes to dissecting relationships, but I do believe that a little common sense goes a long way in anything you do.

But, committed relationship? At what point in any relationship does it go from a 'LOVING relationship' to a 'committed relationship'? Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong in being committed to something or someone. But, in my opinion, when used in reference to the person who you [supposedly] love, committed seems to offer a more 'trapped' than loving tone in its use.

When I hear someone say, 'Sorry, I'm in a committed relationship,' I hear in my head, 'Sorry, I'm with somebody, I may or may not love them, but I'm at least going to fulfill my end of the bargain... however, if circumstances were different, I'd definitely be in.'

Just something I had to let out...

September 11, 2010 — 9 years later.

As I was laying in bed in my barracks room, I was pondering how I was going to show that I remember this day nine years ago. Everything I could possibly think of was, in my mind,cliché. With every idea that came to mind, I thought, “Oh, someone is already thinking that,” or, “Everyone is doing that.” And that’s when it hit me.

“Everyone is doing that.” This is exactly what I’d like to see on this day, every year. Every American should take a moment on this day to remember what happened; to remember how they felt at that moment; to remember the fallen.

It doesn’t have to be a somber day afterward — we understand, life goes on. But the moment we forget to remember, is the day that the enemy has won.

Remember, don’t forget.

I think this is a great song, written and performed by Alan Jackson, that establishes the right mood for what I’m trying to say.

Where were you when the world stopped turning?

Connect With Me, Follow Me, Watch Me, JUST DO IT

So, if you don't know by now, I've reclassed (changed for you civilians) my MOS from an Aircraft Pneudraulics Specialist to a Broadcast Journalist. This is by far one of the best decisions I think I've ever made in my life. I'm so stoked with the direction that this new job will take me in life -- both in the Army and in the civilian sector.

That being said, I'm even MORE all about Social Networking. So, here are the following accounts that I have right now that you should all add so you can follow me. (And yes, I will post this blog a couple times throughout the year because I need to get my name and image and everything else out there! haha)

1. Well, this blog would be the first one. I plan on keeping this blog for as long as possible and hopefully not change the name. So as far as blogs go, this is where it'll be at. And for those of you out there who aren't as quick on the take as others may be -- hey, no judging on this end -- here's the link: BobaTitan <--Click that


2. Facebook is the biggest, of course, and I'm sure 99% of the people who are reading this blog (which is nobody at the particular moment) are already my Facebook friends. But for that extremely random person out there who isn't my friend and would LOVE to be, then I can be found here: Christopher Bobat Camacho <-- Click that


3. Twitter! Yes, I Tweet. I don't see how people don't get in to this. I mean, if you're an avid texter, this is the perfect thing for those times when everybody you normally text is busy but you just have to say something. I actually have two accounts, one is personal and the other will be my 'professional' Army account. So, without further ado, here are my two Twitter accounts: @BobaTitan <-- Click here and @ChrisCamacho1 <-- Click here (yes, follow both).


4. YouTube is the biggest video hosting website known out there. So, I have an account. Do I have any of my own work on there? Not yet, but, again, don't judge. But, as I go further in to this career, I will definitely have items to post on there. So, you already have an account, why not add me? Here's the link: BobaTitan's YouTube <-- Click here (are you seeing a pattern here?)


5. Vimeo is an upcoming video hosting site. It's probably preferred among those with training in video. I'm not try9ing to be a snob or anything, but I think I'll be using this site much more in the very near future. So, here's my site: BobaTitan <--Click here


6. LinkedIn is the professional side of the house. I haven't done much with it, but I have one because I know I'll need it in the future. Link: BobaTitan <-- Click here


7. And my photos. I've started a Flickr account for now. I haven't uploaded any yet because I have gigabytes upon gigabytes of pictures to load and don't have the reliable internet to do so. But eventually this is where you'll find them: BobaTitan <-- Yes, you knew it was coming.


8. Tumblr -- I actually don't know my way around this website much right now. I recently opened an account and I'm trying to figure it out. If you're on Tumblr and are a pro, let me know; I would definitely love the pointers. Link: BobaTitan <-- There is a theme. This will be mine in the future!

There are definitely more links for me to post, but I need to learn my way around them. I don't have the reliable internet to be on the internet like I am right now. But within the next two months while I'm traveling and heading to my next destination, I have a feeling the internet will be my best friend. If you have suggestions on websites I should check out, then please, let me know. I'm always open to suggestions.

--BobaTitan

I'm Back Again!

It's been quite some time since I've posted anything on here. May 5, 2010, was the last time I posted anything. Now, my blog may not have had a specific direction, but my goal at the time was to increase my reader base. I've somewhat fallen to the wayside on this with everything that has been happening since May.

Currently, I'm in Fort Meade, Maryland, undergoing training to be a Broadcast Journalist (MOS 46R for you Army folks). I am having so much fun in this course -- as rigorous as it may be -- and I've met some great people. It's always nice to network and, if you're lucky, make friends along the way. I've been fortunate enough to make friends while I've been here TDY.

But, this is not meant to be a long blog. This post was intended to say, "Hey, I'm back. I have things I will be posting. I'm trying to revamp and get my name out there."

So, until all of that starts happening -- and I'm looking at about a week until I start posting on a semi-regular basis -- just don't count me out just yet.

Are there any questions anybody has of me at this time?

Wednesday, 5 May 2010 -- Evening Top Stories

An overview of the stories I'm following today, as well as follow up on stories from this morning. Without further ado...

1. Follow up on MD Funeral Home Where 40 Bodies Found Stacked in Garage


2. Governor Brewer Responds to Boycotts on State


3. Explosion at Army's Redstone Arsenal Kills 1


4. NOLA Mayor Asks USJD for Assistance with 'Troubled Police Department'


5. Mexicans Scared to Celebrate Cinco de Mayo Pending Rumors of Raids


6. 'Joe the Plumber' Not Your Average Joe

I know it's a fairly short list. It's not that it's a slow night of news, it's that I am tired. Happy Reading. Let me know if there is a specific issue you'd like me to follow up on. Don't forget to follow me on Twitter @BobaTitan or on Facebook.com/Bobat

Wednesday, 5 May 2010 -- Morning Top Stories

Here are the top stories I have read and will be following today:

1. 40 Body Bags Found in Garage of Funeral Home -- One of the directors is challenging the suspension.


2. Woman With No Arms, Kneecaps Prepares for Black-Belt -- She's been going at it for three years!


3. Phoenix Suns Dabble in Politics, Wear Jerseys in Spanish -- Personal opinion: We pay to watch you play basketball, not dabble in politics!


4. Tuscon, Flagstaff Sue State Over SB1070 -- Worth following, you know I'm passionate about this.


5. Giant Dome Expected to 'Siphon' Oil Spill -- I need to read up more on this to see how it's intended to work, and if it does.


6. Coast Guard: BP Caps 1 of 3 Leaks -- Small blessings.


7. Nashville -- Water Recedes, Workers Search for Bodies -- Don't forget, text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.


8. Philadelphia Fan Tasered, Police Chief Supports Officer -- He may be harmless, but it must still be dealt with.


9. Unemployment Declining? -- Who's to thank?


10. Mayor Donates Kidney to Constituent -- This story is actually almost two weeks old; I just forgot to share it when I first read it.

More stories as I follow them throughout the day; I will repost this evening's top stories that I will be following. Don't forget to follow me on Twitter @BobaTitan

May 1, 2010 through May 4, 2010 -- My Top Stories

Instead of reposting on Facebook all of the links that I posted over the past 48-72, I've decided to truncate all of the issues important to me in this quick blog/list.

1. Arizona Deputy Shot, Illegal Immigrant Suspected -- This amidst Arizona's latest law concerning illegal immigration.


2. Sexism in the Wal Mart Corporation? -- Woman bringing a lawsuit against the giant corporation.


3. Bomb Scare During Pittsburgh Marathon -- Hours after the Times Square Bomb Scare.


4. Democrats: Boycott Arizona, but Bring DNC Here -- Democrats confused on their stance.


5. More Favor AZ SB1070 than Oppose -- Statistics by Rasmussen.


6. Facebook Statistics -- Just random, interesting information.


7. 2010 Election -- Information on this year's election.


8. Times Square Car Bomb Scare


9. Pakistani Taliban Claims Responsibility for Times Square Attack


10. Go Army, Beat Navy -- In Lacrosse -- When will we do this in football?


11. Deaths in MS from Tornadoes


12. Don't Demonize AZ -- A view on Arizona's SB1070


13. Clarksville, TN: Most Rain Across Two Days Since 1934


14. Ending Illegal Immigration BENEFITS Economy -- What those who oppose illegal immigration have been chanting about for years.


15. Flirting, Taking 'Getting Shot Down' to a New Level


16. Dozens Killed, Thousands Without Power After Floods -- The devastation of floods across TN, MS and KY.


17. Arrest Made in Times Square Bomb Scare -- The latest in the Times Square attack.

Facebook Politics

If you are one of my Facebook friends you have undoubtedly noticed I post almost daily; many of my posts are news related, politics specifically. (Click to add on Facebook). With 'Facebook politics' gaining momentum, I've decided to write this post as a pseudo 'disclaimer' on how I discuss my political views. This disclaimer applies mostly to those I disagree with, but I think is good practice for everybody.

1. Understand that all of your friends will not agree with your political views. If you can't accept this fact, then you shouldn't be discussing politics in the first place.


2. Be prepared to have friends anger you with their views. There will be moments when another's point of view will have you so angry they become your 'enemy'. This is normal. The trick is to know that when the discussion/debate is over with, your relationship before the political discussion ensued is not compromised.


3. Don't get personal. This one is almost a given. When discussing politics with anybody it is proper etiquette to not get personal. There is a fine-line to be walked on this issue, however. If you should happen to tell a personal story in relation to the subject at hand, you must be willing to take the criticism concerning the information you just divulged the world. It is possible to criticize without getting personal.


4. Use facts. To come across as credible you must be able to back your arguments up with verifiable facts. Do not use vague statements; do not use personal opinions as the basis for your argument. Personal opinions are a vital in political discussions (if it weren't personal, you wouldn't feel passionate, hence the conversation would never have started). If you know for a fact that your information is credible/verifiable, then by all means use it. I would suggest providing links to the information as well. Remember: Education is key. Knowledge is power. (Don't you just love cliche's?)


5. Agree to disagree. When people discuss politics the other person rarely ever will succumb to the disagreeing person. You should know this going in to the discussion. Know when you are at the end and are ready to let it go.


6. Answer questions. Don't deviate.


7. If you consistently post politically related items on Facebook, be prepared to have those who disagree with your views follow your posts closely. They will want to 'attack' your arguments. Welcome it. Their persistence will keep you on your toes. I find that posting as though I'm speaking to that specific person helps get my thoughts flowing. Go ahead, use my techniques; royalty free.


8. To reiterate rule #2, don't let disagreements affect friendships. Deleting somebody on Facebook because of their political views. However, if you delete them because they can't adhere to the rules I've posted (which will become law once I hit the publish post button), then by all means, delete delete delete. Idiots are not good friends. And yes, I just got personal; they are my rules after all.


9. Discuss what you know. Research what you don't.


10. This rule applies when discussing politics with me and is the most important rule: I AM ALWAYS RIGHT. Now you would think this was the easiest rule to follow, but many break it daily. Hey, my list, my rules! Haha.

No, seriously. These aren't the greatest rules and even I am known to break my own rules. This is normal. Emotions can sometimes get the best of people and even Superman, errrr, even I get caught up in the debate/discussion. As long as you do your best to adhere to the rules then all should be well.

I posted this for two reasons. Arizona's law (SB1070) signed in to law by Governor Brewer has caused many who don't normally discuss politics to start meddling in the muddy matter. Second, the 2010 elections will be a hot topic this year.

Thanks for reading. Now go discuss your views!

PS. Follow me on Twitter @BobaTitan

Return to Sender

I remember reading the story about the adopted Russian boy being sent back to Russia when it first broke. It was definitely a story worth following and now I can weigh in with a few of my thoughts.

First of all, I think what this mother (because that's what she signed up to be, literally) did is horrible. It is a disgusting thought that one could just find the nerve to say "I give up" on a child and have the audacity to send him back. Any outrage against this woman is very understandable, to a certain extent. Here is my thought process as I begin to pass judgement on this woman:

As always, there are always three sides to every story -- his, hers and the truth. Now, that saying is usually applied to when a couple is having a spat, but it is applicable to any situation. Reading a different perspective on the story might give someone else a different opinion of the mother in question. After reading this article, I think it's safe to say that the mother definitely feared for her family, a valid concern.

After reading multiple articles on this one incident quite a few issues came to my mind.

1. Discipline. Where the hell was it in this situation? Parents today have to raise their children to OTHER PEOPLE'S standards that laws have been passed preventing child rearing. When I was a kid the saying, "It takes a village to raise a child" didn't mean that everyone needed to do their part to be nice to me and mold me in to a good person. It meant that everyone my parents gave permission to had the authority to punish me as they saw fit. Trust me, my 'village' did. Look how great I turned out. So, issue number 1, talking back from your child = an ass whooping to teach you a lesson.


2. Adoption. Russia wants to put a suspension on U.S. adoptions. Okay, I see the necessity for this from their stance. There are over 500,000 children awaiting adoption in the United States alone. Wait, what? Yes. Read that number again. Honestly, I'm thankful for people who want to adopt children, whatever their reason. Why not do it in America? Why not help out your neighbor? America has problems, too, you know. Issue 2, can we try to keep it in house?


3. Russia, what's your problem? A few of the articles I read or videos I watched mentioned that this is an ON GOING PROBLEM FOR RUSSIA. As stated above, there are two sides to every story; so maybe it's not us Americans, maybe it's Russia. Issue 3, Russia, have you thought looking inward before being so quick to cast judgement on America?

Regardless of your stance on this story, it is still sad. The true victims here are the children. I'll be following this story as closely as possible.

Obamination to Society

"Fatty fatty, four by four, can't fit through the JAILHOUSE DOOR!"

Coming out of the Orlando Sentinel again, George Jolicoeur is evading jail because HE IS TOO FAT. The State's Attorneys did not want tax-payer funds to pay for this obamination -- errr, abomination to society.

Jake Liwanag -- Rising Star

Jake Liwanag -- Give It To You Slow

Ok, maybe not necessarily a 'rising star', per se, but it is my firm belief that Jake Liwanag has GREAT potential to make it big. Quite honestly, between you and me -- as in, don't tell anybody this -- well, I'm taking it upon myself to get his music out there. I have a plan. And yes, I understand that his particular genre of music -- Island Reggae, my personal favorite -- is not as mainstream to really get his name out there; but that is far beyond the point.

For lack of better words, the boy has got talent!

Part of the reason why I became an instant fan, aside from the fact that his songs are extremely beautiful, is that it reminded me of a time when all I looked forward to was meeting up with my friends to do exactly this. Sit around, have a good time, have someone play the guitar and just sing along. It didn't matter if you could; it didn't matter if you knew all of the words. What mattered was that we were together. And I miss that.

So the plan. If you don't know already, I am destined to be the next Ryan Seacrest, just bigger and better. I'm reclassing to Broadcast Journalism and I'm going to do my best to focus my talents on the radio side of the house, instead of the videography side. Once I'm out of the Army, it's on like Donkey Kong bitches. And that's the plan; when I'm big I'm going to find these artists out there who don't have a big name, whose songs and/or videos are not getting the hits they need to be known, and then I'm going to make it happen big for them. In fact, when I first found this video it only had 1,632 hits. I'd like to think that it having 1,647 (as of this blog post) was a direct result of my efforts. Hey, if YouTube would count my views as original views then I believe this video alone would be in the 2,500s, AT LEAST.

Yup, that's the plan. Jake Liwanag, get ready to make it big! (In a few years if it's up to me, but I'm trying to make it sooner rather than later bro! haha)

Here's an additional video by Jake. Mashable listed this as one of the top 15 Lady Gaga videos. I have to admit, I think it's an awesome cover/mash-up. There's a part of me that wishes he extended this more. While I'm not a Gaga fan, I do enjoy her songs. Enjoy.

Why Facebook?

As it is Fat Tuesday, thus marking tomorrow as the beginning of Lent,
I've noticed quite a few people have decided to give Facebook up for
Lent.

Now, I am not a practicing Catholic, but I understand the undertone of
Lent. What I don't understand is, why Facebook?

The reason I pose this question is because I am a firm believer that
FB has managed to weasel its way in to everyday American livelihood. I
know; some may say I am a bit biased because they believe I am
addicted to FB. (This is not so, I'm just big on social networking.)

Let us dissect this. FB has allowed many a persons to keep in touch
with friends, both old and new. You can keep relationships going
regardless of the miles between two people. There are really some
people who are just on-the-go too much to try to stay in touch with
everybody. (Case in point, I am blogging this on my Blackberry while
getting a haircut.)

This is not to say such persons don't make the time, but this is life.
And "mobile friendships" are becoming the norm with everyday that
passes. So, there, that's why I think FB is such a great thing. So,
why am I so against giving up FB for Lent?

Well, with complete disregard to applications such as that damn
Farmville, Mobsters, Mafia Wars and the plethora of other applications
that FB offers to "pass the time", FB has become, and will continue to
be, a regular mean in which people stay in touch.

So why Facebook?

When the postal service was introduced to Americans, did Catholics
give up writing letters to each other for Lent?

When the telephone was invented, did Catholics give up calling their
friends for Lent?

When pagers, cellular phones, email, and instant messaging were in
their primes, did anybody give these up for Lent?

Maybe there were, but the likelihood? I highly doubt it.

So, WHY Facebook?

Insomnia or Unwilling to Sleep?

All the computers in my room are off (and trust me, I have quite a few), I'm super tired, have to be up in 5 hours for work, and yet I turn to my phone to compose a pointless blog.

I'm literally in bed ready to sleep and yet all I can think of is what I have to accomplish tomorrow. So I pose this question to you all, what is it that you think of in those moments before you nod off?

My thoughts always consist of work. It's the only thing that ever keeps me up. On weekends I stay up to my heart's content, but weekdays I must impose a (fluid) bed time; yet I never stick to it. Am I a workaholic? That's in the eye of the beholder (personally, I would just say super dedicated).

Sleep? Why? I could do so much more with my time... *yawn* but aging requires I get some... Til tomorrow folks.
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Rollin' in Style

I was leaving the movie theatre after watching The Book of Eli (worth watching) and I couldn't help but laugh at the fact there was a limo in the parking lot.

For the life of me I cannot fathom where the patrons of the limo were being chauffeured to. Movies? Cold Stone? El Bracero? Little Caesar's? Either way I found it humorous.
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

The Loner Boner - A Repost from an Old Blog

Editor's Note: This is just a repost from a blog I used to run. The original post date was 17 October 2008. The original title was Miserable Relationships, but I thoroughly enjoy its new title more!

For about the past two weeks the subject of relationships was a constant conversation topic. After catching up on some RSS feeds that I am subscribed to, I came across a blog stating that love is not enough to save a relationship. Upon reading this I decided to conduct a small poll amongst my Myspace friends. It was a simple question.

Which is worse: being single and lonely? Or, in a relationship and miserable?

I have to admit, as I started this poll, I was probably a bit biased in my views. Realize, I have never been in a relationship -- ever. I'll allow you to guess what my personal view was at the time.

However, after conducting my mini-poll, it seems that my personal view might have been a bit skewed from what many others thought.

I've already stated that I have never been in a relationship before. Some may view this as the reason why I would vote towards 'Single and Lonely'. On the contrary. Well, not so much contrary, but let me explain myself. I've never been one who was on the hunt or prowl for a relationship. I always grew up waiting for my storybook (more specifically, my Disney story) relationship -- that's another blog in itself that will come soon. But I always wanted to be independent. I didn't want someone else to come along and be my 'other half' to make me whole. I want to be someone who is happy on my own before I start a relationship expecting them to make me happy. I personally believe that someone who is depressed, saddened, lonely, or has any of those other less-than-desirable feelings, is not one who will attract what they hope to find out there. I want to be stable in almost every aspect of my life before I try to commit to one person; be it financial, physical, emotional, or career related. So, I never felt lonely. At least not in the aspect I was referring to.

But still, why did I think that the loner boner was the worse of two evils? I guess I should have put a few caveats out there about the intentions of my study and what, specifically, I was looking for and how I intended each word to be interpreted.

When it comes to myself, I don't feel I am a lonely person. I think of the lonely person as one who WANTS to be in a relationship. Don't get me wrong, there are times when I think to myself, 'Damn, this sucks.' But I'm usually referring to skin-to-skin contact. All I usually have to do is bag one for the night and I'm good for another few months or so. LOL (TMI maybe? Nah, never!) But I've never wanted so bad to be in a relationship that I signed up for websites like Match.com, eHarmony.com, or Chemistry.com to find someone to 'complete me'. So, when I used the term 'lonely', I meant someone who wants a relationship so bad, it makes them miserable.

On the other side of the coin, when I used the word 'relationship', I was leaning more towards relationships that were longer than six months and had quite a bit of time, emotions, feelings and even money invested. I will say that from the few comments left on the poll page, most people assumed the same.

Enough blabbering from me, I'll cut to the results.

A whopping 35 people voted on my poll. Thanks to those who did. Special shout outs to Ann, Julian, Mo, Nay and Luis. These were the five that left comments. Greatly appreciated!

Approximately 3:1 voted that being 'in a relationship and miserable' was worse than being 'single and lonely'.

Click here for poll results.

Now, after seeing the results, and especially the comments, I took a step back to try and encompass why most people would say that a miserable relationship was worse than being single and feeling lonely. I will admit that the comments left were definitely what turned me on the right path to enlightenment.

There are many things that can turn a relationship into one way lane to misery. After all, misery does love company; so why not a couple? For the sake of this blog, I will attempt to focus more on why people stay in a relationship as opposed to where misery begins.

My number one pick is comfort. Does it not make sense? When people are in relationships, they acquire a routine; they know the ins and outs of their partner. Familiarity even. Or, the fear of never being intimate with another is somewhat misted and blocked because, even in a bad relationship, that slight elbow nudge in bed, or the accidental spoon position in the middle of the night, might be just enough skin-to-skin contact that is necessary to ease the mind. I think that maybe I hit the right note when I used the word fear. Once someone has somebody, they fear they will never find another who will love them as much.

I think another major reason for sticking it out in a miserable relationship is financial stability. I mean, let's think about it. How many friends do you have in relationships in which one has more take home income than the other? I personally know quite a few. Now, how many people do you know in which one partner earns much more, and they live together? Finances play a major role in relationships, no matter how much love was, or even is still, there.

There are many other factors. Some people are blinded by lust, mistaking it for love. Hope. Some people hold on to hope with the expectation that things will turn around. The list goes on and on.

As to why I expected 'Single and Alone' would have dominated in this poll... well, quite honestly, it can be a big suck-fest if you let that loneliness eat you inside out. There are so many out there who LUST FOR LOVE. I repeat LUST FOR LOVE. Why? Why? WHY?

With this, I finally end my first blog. I hope that it was coherent enough. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to hear some feedback on this blog. Until next time, have a great day.

GQ's Got Me Covered

So I'm reading GQ Magazine's January issue and I noticed they took my motto and placed it on the top right of their cover. I can't be angry with this; after all, it is a great motto for this year. I just wanted to say kudos to them for knowing a good statement when they hear one!

However, I was intrigued by the article about annoying Facebook friends. As I was reading the article I couldn't help but chuckle at the truth behind the 'article' [if you can call it that]. But then I got to thinking -- am I one of these people.

It's no secret that I'm a fairly savvy and prolific Facebook-er. At the house, at the office or on the go, I interact with my Facebook. I'm not ashamed about it; I would say that, at the very least, my posts are quite entertaining. It would be safe to say that I have a few friends on there that are dedicated followers, and to them, I send my thanks.

But what about the other friends who are not as addicted [for lack of better words] as others? Do I fall in to one of the 18 categories that GQ has established? Naturally, I started to compare myself to each classification and started to justify how it doesn't apply to me. Quite honestly I don't think I was part of any of the categories, which was a relief. Of course I re-thought my thoughts [am I allowed to say that?] and I took a step back. I'd have to let others judge me if I wanted the truth.

After even more deliberation I decided that it doesn't matter. Whether I fall in to one of the 18 'annoying' categories, I still have friends [in the real world, too!] and in the end I am having fun and living life, which is all that matters. After all, that's what I wanted to do this year, isn't it? Live more?

Now I know that playing PS3, messing around on my iMac, reading magazines or watching UFC might not be living life to the fullest. But knowing that all of this is going on in the world, experiencing it, and still having time to hang out with friends doing random things like trips to Vegas, trips to Baltimore, bowling, movies, plays, shows, concerts, and a plethora of other things proves that I am having fun -- and this is what matters to me.

Thanks GQ. You got me covered.

All About Me -- A Perfect '10

Ahhh... 2010. The year that is going to be a perfect '10. In fact, that is my motto for this year, at least part of it. Bobat's Motto:

All About Me, A Perfect '10

This motto is meant in the least egocentric manner possible. In recent years my life has revolved around friends and family, all who I love dearly. But I need to bring my focus back to the person who will be there with me until the very end -- me. I'm not shunning anybody out of my life; I'm not going to become a recluse; I will continue to be the same person I was before. It's just now, I have to ensure that all endeavors undertaken will be in the best interest in my future before I put my entire focus on it.

This sudden shift in direction of my focus was not warranted by a specific, defining point in my life. On the contrary, I would have to say that my most recent deployment to Afghanistan -- 1 Dec 08 to 30 Nov 09 -- afforded me the opportunity to really think. This thinking lead to the realization that I am ready to graduate from 'young adult' to 'adult'. All Friends have to make this transition and I am welcoming my time with open arms. So, all this being said, let me explain briefly my intent behind this blog.

I will hopefully be a Broadcast Journalist in the US Army starting in June of '10 and graduating in Sep '10. I want to start being even more involved in life than I already am. I'm starting this new blog; I'm making video logs (vlogs?); I'm learning Twitter; I've already mastered Facebook; I might get involved on Myspace again; basically I want to connect, no, I want to INTERACT with as many people as possible. I already have quite a few friends around the globe. But I want to encounter others who have the same ideology as me. I want to learn new ideologies. I want to get out there and be a real reporter. So, that is the intent with this blog. I know it won't start off like that; but I hope that what I have to say is intriguing enough that any who read this will feel they should recommend my blog to others. Don't worry folks, we'll get there one day.

Wow. As short as this is, I feel accomplished! More to come soon folks...