06/18/2009 Japan
Well, I am back from the beyond in the blogdom world. It has only been 6 months since my last blog entry and a lot has happened. It all started in early February when my wife found out that her favorite band was coming to Fort Worth. We got our tickets as soon as they went on sale and since my wife had been waiting for 22 years to see this band, all I heard for the next four months was, "are we really going to see Destruction".
So finally the day of the show comes and we make it down to Ft. Worth where we eat Vietnamese, and really good Vietnamese at that, and then went to the venue. Now being how it was a bar and it opened at 11:00 am we made it in plenty of time to belly up to the bar before the show. This is when it really started to get interesting. I go into the restroom to take a leak when Mike, the guitarist, comes into the restroom behind me and hits me in the rear with the toilet stall door. he says he is sorry and I say there is no problem and that is that. I don't even know who I am talking to at this point because I am really new to the band. I go out and my wife is sitting there saying "did you see Mike". I'm like, "Mike who", and she says,"the guitarist from Destruction, he followed you into the restroom", and I told her that he hit me with the door too the toilet stall".
Anyway, when Mike comes out of the restroom, I go and offer him a beer which he regretfully declines because he had just gotten up and had an upset stomach. Then I see Schmier, the bassist and lead singer walk in so Mike said I could give that beer to him if I wanted. If I'd had known the Mike likes red wine as opposed to beer then I would have offered him a a glass of wine instead. Oh well, he was gracious enough to stand around and talk to us for a few minutes along with Schmier before they performed their sound check. And afte a couple of minute, Marcus, the drummer, came off of the stage where he was preparing for the sound check and he started talking to us as well and so all five of us where standing around before the sound check bullshitting about beer and after I bought Marcus a beer he gave what was left of the beer he was drinking to my wife. How cool is that. After we talked for a while they did there sound check and we went outside and my wife and me got pictures with with Schmier. It was too cool.
During the show my wife got into a fight with some guy and wooped the shit out of him. She just made him look bad. He tried to play it off but the damage was done. Schmier gave her a fist bump after the show when he saw her. It was the coolest thing. What was even cooler than that was we were invited to the Destruction concert in Japan if we were to make it.
After some hard thinking we had decided that it was time to go back to Japan and to see my wifes family. We made the concert, don't get me wrong, but if that was all we were going for it would have been a pretty dumb thing to do to go half way around the world just for a concert. Anyway, we made the concert in Nagoya and met Schmier about half an hour before the show started. We talked a little and explained who we were and reminded him of his invitation and he was good enough to ask let us come back stage with him. That was absolutely amazing. So we hung out backstage and talked a little to the band before the show. My wife was in heaven, not to mention that the band got her drunk 30 minutes before the show. I managed to stay somewhat sober that night. it was a good night. After Destruction took the stage it was an amazing show and right off the bat Schmier referenced us and made a joke about the swine flu, telling everyone that they needed to drink more alcohol to kill those swine flu germs. Who'd have ever thought that I would ever be referenced by a world famous musician. After the set was over we were invited backstage again and we talked to the band and just hung out until it was time for them to go. We almost got to party with them that night but was blocked by the promoters.
Not to be deterred from seeing Destruction one more time, we made our way from Nagoya to Tokyo. My wife, understanding how things work decided she was not even going to try to find the venue, she just followed a guy with a heavy metal t-shirt on and he took us right to it. Way to go Tomomi. Well, we made it to the venue and was waiting for the doors to open when Destructions tour manager came out and personally got our names to be put on the guest list for the nights show. Tomomi couldn't help but notice the look oneveryones faces when that happened. She was too excited. Well this time we actually went into the show to see the other bands. There was a band from Boston MA and another from Denver CO that were into Black/Death Metal. Iguess they were ok if you like that genre of metal. The only problem I have with it is they were saying the songs were about really cool subjects like tyranny and how people are becoming more anarchistic and lawless but as soon as the song starts you don't know what they have to say because they don't sing, they belch into the mic. I was really pissed off though when the "lead vocals" guy from one of the other bands started talking shit about Schmier. I then thought it was too funny that the guy didn't hang around long enough for the aftershow party. That's right, my wife and I got to meet the guys backstage again after that show and Mike invited us to hang out with them after the the show at their end of tour party. It was the best time we both had ever had just hanging out doing nothing. We were at this kareoke bar and I got to sing a duet with Schmier. My wife was amazed that this happened and that was all she could talk about for two weeks. After staying up partying with the band until we were asked to leave because the place was closing, we made our way back to the bands hotel (at 5:30 in the morning) and said our fare the wells. Hugs were given and we were told to stay in touch and then we left for our hotel.
After getting back to our hotel we showered and rested for about an hour and then checked out. While we were waiting for a friend of my wife to show up and to take us around we were waiting outside of our hotel and Bob Sapp who used to be a pro football player but turned to MMA Pride fighting walked right past us and checked into the hotel that we had just left.
After leaving our hotel we spent the day walking around Tokyo and we had the best time we have had since we had been married.
So finally the day of the show comes and we make it down to Ft. Worth where we eat Vietnamese, and really good Vietnamese at that, and then went to the venue. Now being how it was a bar and it opened at 11:00 am we made it in plenty of time to belly up to the bar before the show. This is when it really started to get interesting. I go into the restroom to take a leak when Mike, the guitarist, comes into the restroom behind me and hits me in the rear with the toilet stall door. he says he is sorry and I say there is no problem and that is that. I don't even know who I am talking to at this point because I am really new to the band. I go out and my wife is sitting there saying "did you see Mike". I'm like, "Mike who", and she says,"the guitarist from Destruction, he followed you into the restroom", and I told her that he hit me with the door too the toilet stall".
Anyway, when Mike comes out of the restroom, I go and offer him a beer which he regretfully declines because he had just gotten up and had an upset stomach. Then I see Schmier, the bassist and lead singer walk in so Mike said I could give that beer to him if I wanted. If I'd had known the Mike likes red wine as opposed to beer then I would have offered him a a glass of wine instead. Oh well, he was gracious enough to stand around and talk to us for a few minutes along with Schmier before they performed their sound check. And afte a couple of minute, Marcus, the drummer, came off of the stage where he was preparing for the sound check and he started talking to us as well and so all five of us where standing around before the sound check bullshitting about beer and after I bought Marcus a beer he gave what was left of the beer he was drinking to my wife. How cool is that. After we talked for a while they did there sound check and we went outside and my wife and me got pictures with with Schmier. It was too cool.
During the show my wife got into a fight with some guy and wooped the shit out of him. She just made him look bad. He tried to play it off but the damage was done. Schmier gave her a fist bump after the show when he saw her. It was the coolest thing. What was even cooler than that was we were invited to the Destruction concert in Japan if we were to make it.
After some hard thinking we had decided that it was time to go back to Japan and to see my wifes family. We made the concert, don't get me wrong, but if that was all we were going for it would have been a pretty dumb thing to do to go half way around the world just for a concert. Anyway, we made the concert in Nagoya and met Schmier about half an hour before the show started. We talked a little and explained who we were and reminded him of his invitation and he was good enough to ask let us come back stage with him. That was absolutely amazing. So we hung out backstage and talked a little to the band before the show. My wife was in heaven, not to mention that the band got her drunk 30 minutes before the show. I managed to stay somewhat sober that night. it was a good night. After Destruction took the stage it was an amazing show and right off the bat Schmier referenced us and made a joke about the swine flu, telling everyone that they needed to drink more alcohol to kill those swine flu germs. Who'd have ever thought that I would ever be referenced by a world famous musician. After the set was over we were invited backstage again and we talked to the band and just hung out until it was time for them to go. We almost got to party with them that night but was blocked by the promoters.
Not to be deterred from seeing Destruction one more time, we made our way from Nagoya to Tokyo. My wife, understanding how things work decided she was not even going to try to find the venue, she just followed a guy with a heavy metal t-shirt on and he took us right to it. Way to go Tomomi. Well, we made it to the venue and was waiting for the doors to open when Destructions tour manager came out and personally got our names to be put on the guest list for the nights show. Tomomi couldn't help but notice the look oneveryones faces when that happened. She was too excited. Well this time we actually went into the show to see the other bands. There was a band from Boston MA and another from Denver CO that were into Black/Death Metal. Iguess they were ok if you like that genre of metal. The only problem I have with it is they were saying the songs were about really cool subjects like tyranny and how people are becoming more anarchistic and lawless but as soon as the song starts you don't know what they have to say because they don't sing, they belch into the mic. I was really pissed off though when the "lead vocals" guy from one of the other bands started talking shit about Schmier. I then thought it was too funny that the guy didn't hang around long enough for the aftershow party. That's right, my wife and I got to meet the guys backstage again after that show and Mike invited us to hang out with them after the the show at their end of tour party. It was the best time we both had ever had just hanging out doing nothing. We were at this kareoke bar and I got to sing a duet with Schmier. My wife was amazed that this happened and that was all she could talk about for two weeks. After staying up partying with the band until we were asked to leave because the place was closing, we made our way back to the bands hotel (at 5:30 in the morning) and said our fare the wells. Hugs were given and we were told to stay in touch and then we left for our hotel.
After getting back to our hotel we showered and rested for about an hour and then checked out. While we were waiting for a friend of my wife to show up and to take us around we were waiting outside of our hotel and Bob Sapp who used to be a pro football player but turned to MMA Pride fighting walked right past us and checked into the hotel that we had just left.
After leaving our hotel we spent the day walking around Tokyo and we had the best time we have had since we had been married.
06/18/2009 Inspiration in Hard Economic Times
Everyone knows that the economy in the United States is on shakey ground right now, so why am I inspired even though I am expecting to be laid off from my job next week. Well, I can still get up in the morning, albeit barely because of the aches and pains of arthritis in my ankles, knees, lower back and neck, and have hope that I can find another job. This is the reason I am going back to school. So why is it that I am so inpired? That is not a terribly long story but it is one that I hope will inspire you as well.
I am listening to Testament (The Bay Area metal band) right now and thinking about how Chuck Billy, the vocalist of Testament, has come through the toughest fight of his life battling cancer. I have lost several family members to cancer so when I see someone who has fought through such a terrible ordeal and can come out ot if with the spirit and power that Mr. Billy has, I am filled with joy because I have seen what cancer does and it is heartbreaking. But it is inspiring to know that the passion of Mr. Billy for what he does and the joy he brings to the fans of Testament is what got him though such an ordeal and is worthy of the highest amount of respect and praise.
This brings me to the point of my commentary. I know that with my impending layoff, I will have difficult times ahead financially, but with my continuing to educate myself and persevering to achieve and by looking forward to opportunities yet to come instead of dwelling on opportunities missed, I have the potential to acheive a better life. It is like the song goes, "don't waste your time always searching for those wasted years" (Adrien Smith, Iron Maiden).
Posted by Dumb American at 4:19 AM 0 comments Links to this post
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
The Cage, All I can Say is WOW!
I have just finished reading one of the best books I have ever read. It is a book called "The Cage" by Kenzo Kitakata and I was on edge since page one. If you like stories of ordinary people then you will love this. The seory takes place in Japan and it is riveting to say the least. I would not be surprised if once you read this book, you would not start thinking of how you would like to be just like Takino, the hero of the story.
The story is truly remarkable yet unremarkable at the same time. There is greed and curruption and double crosses all the way through the book and you are left not knowing which way is up at the end of it all. I hope you read this book and when you do I know you will enjoy it. So up the Irons and dust off your horns because this book will rock your world and leave you screaming for more.
I am listening to Testament (The Bay Area metal band) right now and thinking about how Chuck Billy, the vocalist of Testament, has come through the toughest fight of his life battling cancer. I have lost several family members to cancer so when I see someone who has fought through such a terrible ordeal and can come out ot if with the spirit and power that Mr. Billy has, I am filled with joy because I have seen what cancer does and it is heartbreaking. But it is inspiring to know that the passion of Mr. Billy for what he does and the joy he brings to the fans of Testament is what got him though such an ordeal and is worthy of the highest amount of respect and praise.
This brings me to the point of my commentary. I know that with my impending layoff, I will have difficult times ahead financially, but with my continuing to educate myself and persevering to achieve and by looking forward to opportunities yet to come instead of dwelling on opportunities missed, I have the potential to acheive a better life. It is like the song goes, "don't waste your time always searching for those wasted years" (Adrien Smith, Iron Maiden).
Posted by Dumb American at 4:19 AM 0 comments Links to this post
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
The Cage, All I can Say is WOW!
I have just finished reading one of the best books I have ever read. It is a book called "The Cage" by Kenzo Kitakata and I was on edge since page one. If you like stories of ordinary people then you will love this. The seory takes place in Japan and it is riveting to say the least. I would not be surprised if once you read this book, you would not start thinking of how you would like to be just like Takino, the hero of the story.
The story is truly remarkable yet unremarkable at the same time. There is greed and curruption and double crosses all the way through the book and you are left not knowing which way is up at the end of it all. I hope you read this book and when you do I know you will enjoy it. So up the Irons and dust off your horns because this book will rock your world and leave you screaming for more.
06/18/2009 Hello From the Gutter
Well, I know it has been a while since my last posting but I have been relatively busy. The election is over and I am waiting to see if our new President elect is going to be a good President or if he is going to do even worse than his predisessors did. That being said I would like to bring your attention to a subject that arose during the campaign. I had heard on the news that two friends in whatever state it was, it escapes me right now where it happened but that is not the point of this blog so I am not going to dwell on it, are no longer speaking because during the election one was sending all kinds of emails endorsing Barack Obama to the other when the sender new that her friend was a staunch Republican.
This is, for lack of a better term, horse shit. It is my opinion that it does not matter if you are a Republican or a Democrat, you can still maintain a friendship as long as there is a mutual respect for each others opinions and ideals. Politics has caused more friendships to turn south than almost any other subject in history. For instance, John Wayne and Henry Fonda were two of the most respected actors in Hollywood during the fifties and sixties but to my knowledge have never worked together. Each had expressed a desire to work with the other until they round out that one was a Democrat and the other a Republican. This is sad because with these two phenomenal actors on the same screen, it would have been cinematic heaven as far as I am concerned.
I guess what I am trying to say is that if people who find fault with others can get past their differences and try to accept others for who they are then it makes the friendships that are made even more special. As for friendships that have gone south because of strife or personal differences, if the people are willing to talk and accept what happened between them and work to resolve their problems even though they still may have different beliefs and opinions, their frienship will become even stronger.
Now you may be wondering what any of this has to do with my choice of titles for this posting. It turns out that this country is now in a bona fide recession. I myself have been layed off from work for a couple of weeks so my company can save money. Do I care? Of course I do. I have a family to feed and bills to pay so I need to work. With all the turmoil in the staock market and companies filing bancruptcy, many people are wondering, who is to blame. Most blame President Bush for our current economic situation. This could not be further from the truth. If you would remember back in 2000, the country was already spiralling into what many thought was going to be a recession and President Bush cut our taxes and stimulated the economy with his economic stimulas plan that staved off the economic downturn for seven and one half years. Many Democratic Economists even admit that this is the case and that he is not to blame for the current crisis in our economy. However, the person blamed is always going to be the President, especially if it is one that is not well liked. In my opinion however, President Bush has done a marvelous job as our President.
Many people say that he blundered when he got us into the Iraq war. What do I say? We were already at war with Iraq and President Bush could have went over without Congressional approval anyway, but he did get approval and I applaud him for that. But where are the weopons of mass destruction that he promised us was there? I admit there were no WMD's found, however they were there. My reasoning behind this statement is simple. The WMD's were used on the enemies of Sadam Huessein before we went back over after the Gulf War. This explains all of the mass graves that was found, containing thousands of bodies. This was not highly publicized on CNN or any other local newscasts because of the medias opposition to the war and to President Bush. It was reported though so you can make up your own mind. It has also been said that he went over just because he tried to kill the first President Bush and also just for the oil. This could have some merit but it was not the only reason we went over. If you look today about what is happening in Iraq you can see the difference our presence there has made. More children are going to school than ever before in the country's history, more people have potable water than ever before, the people are free to take part in free elections, more hospitals are in operation than ever before, and that is just scratching the surface so when someone tells me we just went over for the oil, I have to wonder if he is actually paying attention to what is really going on over there. President Bush has been criticized for not having an exit strategy from Iraq. I say there was an exit strategy, it is called total victory. The United States has made good on its pledge to help the Iraqi's form a stable government and to form a police force of Iraqi's in order to hand over control when the time comes. We are pulling out of what was once some of the worst areas of fighting, not because we are being over run by insurgents, but because we feel that the Iraqi's can handle the areas themselves now that some semblance of stability has returned. The job is not finished and will not be finished for a long time but if we give up then all of Iraq will blame us for giving up on them and we will have even more problems than we do now. I am afraid that our days as one of the major players on the world stage is numbered and it will end sooner than anyone expects. I hope that I am wrong.
I will not tell you that you have to like President Bush but you do have to respect the man because he was a better President than he will ever get credit for being.
Maybe, someone will read this post and not agree with me on anything that I wrote but I would like to think that our diferences could be set aside and we could at least respect one anothers views.
Thanks,
This is, for lack of a better term, horse shit. It is my opinion that it does not matter if you are a Republican or a Democrat, you can still maintain a friendship as long as there is a mutual respect for each others opinions and ideals. Politics has caused more friendships to turn south than almost any other subject in history. For instance, John Wayne and Henry Fonda were two of the most respected actors in Hollywood during the fifties and sixties but to my knowledge have never worked together. Each had expressed a desire to work with the other until they round out that one was a Democrat and the other a Republican. This is sad because with these two phenomenal actors on the same screen, it would have been cinematic heaven as far as I am concerned.
I guess what I am trying to say is that if people who find fault with others can get past their differences and try to accept others for who they are then it makes the friendships that are made even more special. As for friendships that have gone south because of strife or personal differences, if the people are willing to talk and accept what happened between them and work to resolve their problems even though they still may have different beliefs and opinions, their frienship will become even stronger.
Now you may be wondering what any of this has to do with my choice of titles for this posting. It turns out that this country is now in a bona fide recession. I myself have been layed off from work for a couple of weeks so my company can save money. Do I care? Of course I do. I have a family to feed and bills to pay so I need to work. With all the turmoil in the staock market and companies filing bancruptcy, many people are wondering, who is to blame. Most blame President Bush for our current economic situation. This could not be further from the truth. If you would remember back in 2000, the country was already spiralling into what many thought was going to be a recession and President Bush cut our taxes and stimulated the economy with his economic stimulas plan that staved off the economic downturn for seven and one half years. Many Democratic Economists even admit that this is the case and that he is not to blame for the current crisis in our economy. However, the person blamed is always going to be the President, especially if it is one that is not well liked. In my opinion however, President Bush has done a marvelous job as our President.
Many people say that he blundered when he got us into the Iraq war. What do I say? We were already at war with Iraq and President Bush could have went over without Congressional approval anyway, but he did get approval and I applaud him for that. But where are the weopons of mass destruction that he promised us was there? I admit there were no WMD's found, however they were there. My reasoning behind this statement is simple. The WMD's were used on the enemies of Sadam Huessein before we went back over after the Gulf War. This explains all of the mass graves that was found, containing thousands of bodies. This was not highly publicized on CNN or any other local newscasts because of the medias opposition to the war and to President Bush. It was reported though so you can make up your own mind. It has also been said that he went over just because he tried to kill the first President Bush and also just for the oil. This could have some merit but it was not the only reason we went over. If you look today about what is happening in Iraq you can see the difference our presence there has made. More children are going to school than ever before in the country's history, more people have potable water than ever before, the people are free to take part in free elections, more hospitals are in operation than ever before, and that is just scratching the surface so when someone tells me we just went over for the oil, I have to wonder if he is actually paying attention to what is really going on over there. President Bush has been criticized for not having an exit strategy from Iraq. I say there was an exit strategy, it is called total victory. The United States has made good on its pledge to help the Iraqi's form a stable government and to form a police force of Iraqi's in order to hand over control when the time comes. We are pulling out of what was once some of the worst areas of fighting, not because we are being over run by insurgents, but because we feel that the Iraqi's can handle the areas themselves now that some semblance of stability has returned. The job is not finished and will not be finished for a long time but if we give up then all of Iraq will blame us for giving up on them and we will have even more problems than we do now. I am afraid that our days as one of the major players on the world stage is numbered and it will end sooner than anyone expects. I hope that I am wrong.
I will not tell you that you have to like President Bush but you do have to respect the man because he was a better President than he will ever get credit for being.
Maybe, someone will read this post and not agree with me on anything that I wrote but I would like to think that our diferences could be set aside and we could at least respect one anothers views.
Thanks,
06/18/2009 Family News
Without a doubt this is the most important year this country has had in 4 years. I say that because in the next Presidential election we will have politicians spewing rhetoric about how this is the most important decision of our lives. This, unfortunately is not the case. Leadership for the country is important don't get me wrong, and in our present financial crisis this election year is undoubtably the most important since 1932. That is the year Roosevelt became President by the way. This, understandably is focusing our attention on the election, and rightfully so but that is not what I am here to talk about. The reason I say it is not the most important thing going on is because family is the most important thing. That is my opinion anyway.
Earlier in the week, two situations unfolded which is alarming to say the least. The first happened in Las Vegas and the second in Miami Beach, Florida.
First let's talk about the Las Vegas situation. Las Vegas is a great city. I visited it many times while stationed in California in the Marine Corps. But what happened this week is nothing less that a horrendous travesty. A 6 year old boy in the first grade of elementary school was abducted (kidnapped) out of his own home earlier this week while his mother and her fiance watched helplessly. Why would anyone do this? The answer I hate to say is simple. Drugs and money. It turns out that Fox News reports that the boys grandfather was involved with Mexican drug cartels and was helping to launder drugs and money for them. One day the guy got a little too greedy and ran of with a little bit of their money. It was only estimated to be between 6 and 20 million dollars. I can't see that the bad guys would ever miss such a small amount of cash. So just to let this guy know that they missed their money and wanted the guy to bring it back to them safe and sound, these bad guys dress up like it is Halloween already and while disguised as Police officers, entered these peoples home at gun point, searched their house for whatever they could find, found the little boy in his room, and stole him in broad daylight with his mother in the house watching. This little boy will be scarred for life if he even survives this ordeal, which I am sick to death to think that he will not. Way to go Grandpa. I think in order to get the kid back, the police should hand you over to these bad guys. You truly do suck man.
In Florida it is another story where we pit father against son. It turns out that this guy, who is a senior citizen, was in a property dispute with his son. Well, his son got legal representation from this big law firm in down town Miami Beach. I guess the court decided against this old man because just yesterday he threw a Molotov Cocktail through the window of this firm severely burning one person(probably a lawyer), and injuring four or five others in the process. Not only did it hurt these people in the law firm but the incident ended up taking the life of the old man. I don't know if the blast did it but I think it may have been the man himself that took his own life. I feel for all of the people injured and absolutely no good can come of this whatsoever. It is a waste.
My point is, what has gone wrong with America today that a man could put his entire family at risk because of his selfish greed, and another man can hurt innocent people because he is mad at his son. This really breaks my heart to see this type of news. Please, if there is anything decent left in this country, outside of Rock and Roll, somebody please share it with me. May God Bless each and every American and put some common sense and compassion for others back into our society.
Earlier in the week, two situations unfolded which is alarming to say the least. The first happened in Las Vegas and the second in Miami Beach, Florida.
First let's talk about the Las Vegas situation. Las Vegas is a great city. I visited it many times while stationed in California in the Marine Corps. But what happened this week is nothing less that a horrendous travesty. A 6 year old boy in the first grade of elementary school was abducted (kidnapped) out of his own home earlier this week while his mother and her fiance watched helplessly. Why would anyone do this? The answer I hate to say is simple. Drugs and money. It turns out that Fox News reports that the boys grandfather was involved with Mexican drug cartels and was helping to launder drugs and money for them. One day the guy got a little too greedy and ran of with a little bit of their money. It was only estimated to be between 6 and 20 million dollars. I can't see that the bad guys would ever miss such a small amount of cash. So just to let this guy know that they missed their money and wanted the guy to bring it back to them safe and sound, these bad guys dress up like it is Halloween already and while disguised as Police officers, entered these peoples home at gun point, searched their house for whatever they could find, found the little boy in his room, and stole him in broad daylight with his mother in the house watching. This little boy will be scarred for life if he even survives this ordeal, which I am sick to death to think that he will not. Way to go Grandpa. I think in order to get the kid back, the police should hand you over to these bad guys. You truly do suck man.
In Florida it is another story where we pit father against son. It turns out that this guy, who is a senior citizen, was in a property dispute with his son. Well, his son got legal representation from this big law firm in down town Miami Beach. I guess the court decided against this old man because just yesterday he threw a Molotov Cocktail through the window of this firm severely burning one person(probably a lawyer), and injuring four or five others in the process. Not only did it hurt these people in the law firm but the incident ended up taking the life of the old man. I don't know if the blast did it but I think it may have been the man himself that took his own life. I feel for all of the people injured and absolutely no good can come of this whatsoever. It is a waste.
My point is, what has gone wrong with America today that a man could put his entire family at risk because of his selfish greed, and another man can hurt innocent people because he is mad at his son. This really breaks my heart to see this type of news. Please, if there is anything decent left in this country, outside of Rock and Roll, somebody please share it with me. May God Bless each and every American and put some common sense and compassion for others back into our society.
06/18/2009 The Cage,all I can say is WOW!
I have just finished reading one of the best books I have ever read. It is a book called "The Cage" by Kenzo Kitakata and I was on edge since page one. If you like stories of ordinary people then you will love this. The seory takes place in Japan and it is riveting to say the least. I would not be surprised if once you read this book, you would not start thinking of how you would like to be just like Takino, the hero of the story.
The story is truly remarkable yet unremarkable at the same time. There is greed and curruption and double crosses all the way through the book and you are left not knowing which way is up at the end of it all. I hope you read this book and when you do I know you will enjoy it. So up the Irons and dust off your horns because this book will rock your world and leave you screaming for more.
The story is truly remarkable yet unremarkable at the same time. There is greed and curruption and double crosses all the way through the book and you are left not knowing which way is up at the end of it all. I hope you read this book and when you do I know you will enjoy it. So up the Irons and dust off your horns because this book will rock your world and leave you screaming for more.
 | The Cage (2006/09/05) Kenzo Kitakata View detail of this item |