Castle Shima

Stupidity Should Be Painful -- from a bumper sticker

Tower View
Cycling Adventures
Its true that I am bicycling fanatic. Not only are the health benefits a big factor, there is the funny tan I get when I ride in 90 degree weather. Heh...

So its like every ride is an adventure, especially small charity events that are used as training rides. And with every one of those rides, I learn something.

For example, this past ride I learned that event coordinators really dont like it if you start on the wrong side of the road trail. It tends to mess up their counts or something to that effect.

I also learned that you try not to aggravate the huge snake that happens to be laying in the middle of the road, especially if the frigging thing is large enough to actually block the road.

Finally, I learned that some caucasians should not try to learn gangsta-speak. It simply does not suit them.

By the way, Peabody, its: "Foshizzle my nizzle."
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Mixed Emotions
I found out today that Warner Bros. is putting out a film called Constantine. Its based upon the comic book series Hellblazer and its main character, John Constantine.

This is an excerpt from the prologue of the graphic novel Tainted Lies:
Man of mystery, magus of great power - These are two of the facets of theman called John Constantine. Garbed in his familiar trenchcoat, sporting a trademark cigarette and a cynical grin...

But magic always has its price, and there are other sides to John Constantine: the deceiver, the manipulator, the self-destructive victimizer.

Constantine, the blond, middle aged British cynic use of magic isnt truly shown in the series nor does he use any weapons. The fact that he is played Keanu Reaves, an American actor, who is neither middle aged nor that cynical, will be using a magical shotgun in special effects movie, once again proves that Hollywood has wrecked another great comic book series translation.

Anyone remember the original Punisher or even its recent remake? How about the recent League of Extraordinary Gentlemen or Hellboy?

Granted, I know that many people do not read the comic book series, so we can only pray that Constantine will not be as bad as the trailer makes it to be.
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Seeing Is Believing
I am in agreement with Paul Cavuto, who believes the media should show the gruesome images of Paul Johnson and Nick Berg.

No, these arent images meant for children. These are images are meant to remind the US what exactly our troops are fighting for.

Agree or disagree with the Bush, this kind of thing against American civilians should never, ever go unpunished. Both men were in those countries to help other civilians, just regular people have a better life.

Instead, they paid with their lives.

If American help isnt wanted, then why do we bother give it? Why not show them the true power of the American war machine?

The antics of the soldiers with the Iraqi prisoners was unwarrented and shameful, but no one lost their life. Maybe its time for the other populace to truly suffer.

After all, its easier for man to destroy than to heal.

But then, maybe that is why we dont let loose with the arsenal.
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Out In The Yard
Jan Ullrich wins the Tour of Switzerland. As one of Lance's main rivals, Ullrich will be one to watcho ut for during this year's Tour de France.
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Student turns down free trip to see the soccer champions, the Arsenal, because of studies. I knew those Asian academic tests were tough, but damn...
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US Senate wants to bring in the Induce Bill to prohibit file sharing networks altogether . While we are it, why dont we ban cable modems? Without them, networks couldnt possibly be around.
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Background Noise
Broken Wings by Mr. Mister

So take
These broken wings
And learn how to fly again,
Learn to be so free...
When we hear
The voices sing
The book of love
Will open up
And let us in...

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* Days go by
* And still I think of you
* Days when I couldnt live
* My life without you
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