A Sigh of Relief

Here's a quick little story of what happened to me recently. Last night I finally started on my financial accounting homework at about 10:30ish, which was due at 10:45 this morning. I was a bit stressed because I also had tax accounting homework due at 8 am, and I hadn't started on that either. I finished the first problem of my financial homework (which was a bit lengthy) and started working on the second problem, when, throughout this whole process, my roommates in the front room were laughing every 5 seconds, distracting me from my work. Finally, I gave in and joined my roommates to watch Conan O'Brien host his first night of the Tonight Show, laughing as hard as they had been.

After the show I went back to my room, it being a little after 11:30pm. I started working on my homework but exhaustion swept over me. Because classes started at 8am the next day, I made an executive decision to forego my homework and get some sleep so I could function the next day; I justified this decision with the fact that a few of my lowest scores will be dropped in my tax accounting class and I could still get up to 80% credit on my financial accounting homework, so it wouldn't be a total loss. As I went to bed, however, I realized one stipulation: my financial professor will randomly call students to work a problem from the homework on the board in front of the class. Knowing my luck I had an ominous feeling that I would be called on.

After enduring my tax class unprepared this morning, I sat down in my financial accounting class. I asked the guy next to me how the homework went for him; he said he only did 3 of the problems. I told him I only did the first one, therefore making me a viable candidate by Murphy's Law to be called on to work a problem on the board. He laughed and said he hoped that wasn't the case for him.

About 40 minutes into class, the professor announced the time to do the homework problems, looked at his roll, then at me and said, "Corley, you're up to do the first problem." What?! You've got to be kidding me! Of all the problems, he calls on me to do the only one I did! I was shocked; I looked at the guy next to me who, in turn, looked at me in disbelief. "I don't believe it!" he exclaimed. I smiled wide and happily began working the problem on the board with a feeling of immense relief sweeping over me. A few problems later, the professor called on the other guy to do a problem, but unfortunately it wasn't one of the problems he did and had to get a zero for participation that day. When I wrote out my answers to the problem on the board, I discussed my answers to the class and was relieved again when the professor confirmed my answers. I welcomed the clapping of the class and let out a joyful sigh of relief!

Politics to Puke

I'm normally not one to get emotionally involved in politics, but the political events that have transpired in the recent months have moved to me to shear nausea! Okay, so maybe not that extreme, but I have found a lot of things upsetting regarding the new "change" being displayed on the political stage of this Nation. Because of such, I thought I'd share some of my own opinions of the larger issues portrayed by our government and media:

1. Government Bailouts: so in earlier blogs I've expressed my thoughts and views of bailouts. I opposed Bush in lending his $700 billion bailout package last year and I oppose the bailout efforts of the new Obama administration. Although no one really knows if over $1.8 trillion (this number deriving from last year's package and the recent package) will stimulate the economy as many people hope, that's not the arguement in my mind. The issue is that government bailouts in no way punishes bad behavior, nor does it stimulate good behavior. If anything, I would say it will reward mediocrity; it sends the message that's it's okay to be sloppy and to do just on okay job. Motivation for the best results possible is thrown out the window. Why? Because Uncle Sam will pay for our mistakes! Where is the Capitalism, upon which this country and economy were founded?! We have skewed our very own perception of the realities that face us in the near future, because we are forgetting too quickly the economic principles that gave us the comforts we have had up to this point.
2. AIG: This is more of a side note to the government bailouts. My question is: why doesn't the government first ask the companies they're "bailing out" for a specific budget of what these companies need and review it. Then, when the government forks out OUR tax dollars, they closely monitor that the money is being spent in the appropriate places. I'm against this whole practice to begin with and wish the whole thing wasn't happening; but if someone's going to use my tax money in a way I'm against, then at least show me the respect of taking note of how it's being used! Plus, I think it's kinda funny how people in Congress who voted for a bill which actually allowed the bonuses to take place, turned around and then said they were shocked to see the money being used for such uses.¹
   
3. Geithner & the Treasury: You guys said the issue about the AIG bonuses was put in because it might not otherwise be "strong enough to survive legal challenge."² Dude. I may not know a lot of legal goings on with all that's going on with AIG, but seriously. All I see are empty words from you guys, so you can avoid any kind of accountability. That's how it seemed with Chris Dodd regarding adding the bonus amendment.³ What kind of transparent government is that? Frustrating.
4. Another attack on marriage in CA⁴: The people have already spoken. Twice now (to my knowledge) California has voted marriage to be between a man and a woman. Okay, so I actually kind of already saw this happening (who didn't?). I don't think this issue will go away quietly. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if it gets more attention than the first time. But here's my fear: when the marriage amendment is repealed (and I think it eventually will be; it's just a matter of time), I really think there won't be a major effort and movement to get it back on the ballot. I think either conservatives won't take an offensive stance, or the proposal will get shut down by the state (because I honestly believe the state supports gay marriage). I don't mean to be negative and I don't, by any means, intend to give the idea that it's a lost cause. I still think the battle should be fought, because it's probably one of the most noble battles to be fought right now. I just feel that more people need to be prepared and willing to take an offensive rather than a defensive stance when the time comes.

So what are your thoughts? Hopefully, I didn't show how ignorant I am of life, and I'm really not that cynical about things. I just get frustrated sometimes that people in our government often forget the simplicity of common sense in many issues. It's just that some of the things I read in the news makes me want to vomit! ;-)



Footnotes:

1. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/19/lawrence-odonnell-reduces_n_176886.html
2. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/19/geithner-treasury-pushed_n_177016.html
3. http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=dodd%20admits%20bonus&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wv#
4. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/20/another-marriage-petition_n_177599.html

Insights from a Sick Man

So, the past few days, I've been sick. I never thought this day would happen. I mean, the last time I was really sick like this was 5 years ago; it happened in Germany, December 03. It only lasted a day, but that was only because I had received a blessing from my missionary companion, Elder Crucy, and our Ward Mission Leader, Bruder Köhler. After the blessing I was still a little under the weather for the remainder of the day, but I had the strength to continue proselyting. By the next day, I was pretty much restored to health. Before, the blessing, however, I felt utterly miserable and was, for the most part, bed-ridden.

These past few days I have felt pretty darn crappy, yesterday being the worst. However, despite how sick I've been, I've gained a few insights that I wish to share:

1. It happens.
2. Playing Warcraft 3 six hours straight is probably not the best thing to do when wanting to avoid massive headaches.
3. Life sucks when you can't be productive.
4. I have a loving family.
5. Speaking of family, I kept thinking how nice it'll be if I'm ever sick and I'm married. I could just cuddle with my wife, and everything would be so much better. Then, when she gets sick (because of me), she could cuddle with me!
   
6. On a deeper note, I've gained a greater understanding that this life is meant to have purpose. Happiness comes from striving for the desires of our heart. The greatest happiness comes from bringing our desires in line with the will of our Heavenly Father and striving to live those desires. That is--I believe--our greatest purpose in life; not just because it encompasses all of the virtues of moral character and the divine qualities that humanity seeks after, but it also entails God's ultimate work: "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." (Moses 1:39)

As insightful as this sickness has been, I very much look forward to being healthy again. And if I do get sick again, hopefully it won't be for at least another 5 years!

News At Its Finest

Thank you, Stephen Colbert, once again. Earlier today I was watching a recent episode of The Colbert Report on the beloved hulu.com, where Colbert brings up an article titled "Massive Buffalo wing sauce spill shuts down Fairfield Street" from newstimes.com. I have but two questions:

1. Does the guy who wrote this article get made fun of for writing articles like this? I can just imagine his co-workers making little quips about buffalo wing sauce, or how they prefer A1, or maybe expressing their condolensces that the spill didn't happen in front of Hooters.
2. How do Stephen Colbert and his interns find this stuff???! I mean seriously, articles like this are SO ambiguous, it's amazing that they can find actual up-to-date articles that happen to go along with current topics and inside jokes on the show. It makes one wonder if there's some kind of conspiracy going on.

Anyway, here are a couple of quotes from the article that are my personal favorites:

"The street was closed several hours after the 1:30 p.m. spill as the state Haz-mat team was dispatched to the scene."

"Meanwhile, four patrons of San Tropez restaurant, next to Archie Moore's, couldn't get to their car, which was engulfed by sauce."

Mmm, Biking!

I've been home since 20. December, and it's been pretty relaxing...a little too relaxing, but the one thing I love about the extra time on my hands is the opportunity to bike at Erwin Park in McKinney. Here's a pic of part of the trail:


Now that's beautiful! The trail is about an 8-mile loop that starts off fairly smooth, then gradually becomes pretty technical (sharp bends, biking over logs, going through really narrow passes between trees), then has a fun section of dips, and then a few sections of fields in between the wooded sections. This month I've been able to go at least once a week (and it's really nice being only literally 5 minutes from the park). I've taken my mom out there a few times and also had a date biking the trail. I went once by myself (and will probably do so tomorrow or Saturday) and loved it!

It feels good to be on a mountain bike and feel the cool air gently blow across your face and feel the rush of adrenaline as you pick up speed downhill and the exertion of climbing up hill. I love the feel of the camel pack rest on my back as I lean forward on my bike, focused on the trail ahead; the strain on my hands and arms as I maneuver my bike around the curves and roots of the trees on the path; the sound of the rustling leaves as they dance and sway in the wind; the rays of the sun that cut through the branches of the trees; the silence and peace that only come by leaving the busyness of the city; the simple insights on life that nature shares; the way that nature and the outdoors help me collect and organize my thoughts and shows me the proper perspectives in life...I could keep adding to the list, but I think you catch my drift.