Hello xanga world.  Seems fairly quiet here... It seems only a few of the people I had subscribed to actually post on a regular basis anymore...

I still come around and read entries every so often.... and when I write comments on other people's posts, I realize that I must be pretty addicted to Facebook... I find myself spending about 10 seconds each time searching for the "like" link on the page. 


Thats all for now... Check back for another entry in another 0.5-1 year!

Yesterday seemed like a good day... A day where things just seemed to click.

On Sunday, I saw an online deal for cases of HP multipurpose paper @ OfficeDepot.  Normally ~$46, it was discounted to $34.  There was a promo going on, buy 1 get 2nd for $24.99, AND a 20% coupon.  On top of all that, I got 5% cashback from Discover, 10% cashback from OfficeDepot rewards, and 5% going to a local school.  It was too cheap to pass up so I ordered 20 cases for work.  It came to around $400 after tax, or $2/ream.  If you stack up all those discounts, I think I saved over $340 off the regular price.  I was content, I love getting good deals.

Yesterday (Monday)... Upon getting to work.. I was greeted with a stack of 5+ boxes of items I ordered for work.  I like receiving packages. :)

As for the paper... I went to go pick it up (wasn't available for delivery) at my local OD.  Had to wait for an employee to go with since I can no longer lift the weight... It was raining on and off.  As we left for OD, it was raining fairly hard, and hailing at times... We were a bit worried the paper would get drenched (even though the office is about 6 blocks away).  Get in to OD, deal with the paperwork, and two OD reps help cart out two carts full of 20 cases of paper.  13 of the 20 cases that they cart out include 2 bonus reams.  A good deal just became a great deal!  As we exit the store, hail and rain that bombarded the area just a minute ago completely subsided... Amazing!  Our ride back to the office was completely rain-free.  I couldn't have planned this any better!  (Reminded me of the annual Chinese New Year parade... It'd rain prior to and after the parade, and would subside during it)

Ahh I think we could all use days like these... where things just kind of go your way!

Happy Halloween!

Seems I never shy away from the controversial issues... I've engaged in a few discussions regarding this topic (whether I wanted to or not) and so the topic has been weighing on my mind to the point that I'm actually posting on Xanga!

By now you've heard of prop 8.  Election Day (one of many for us here in CA since we can vote early) is only 4 days away, and by then we should have a decision of whether there is a ban on gay marriage or not.  Whether or not you agree with the issue, I'd like to hear your thoughts on the matter so that there may be a discussion/dialogue.  Below are some of my ramblings (I may have posted something similar before).


I see this debate centers around two issues:
1) Do you support Same-Sex Marriage
2) Do you support Equal Rights

Its much like the issue regarding the Iraq war:
1) Do you support the war
2) Do you support our troops

You can support none, one, or both.


Much of the issue seems to have to do with religion, and beliefs.  If I had my way... the government would get out of the business of marriage.  Marriage is a religious act, a holy union... If I'm not mistaken, there should be a separation of church and state.  Why is the government meddling with Marriage?  The way I see it, churches can perform marriages how they like.  Government should be allowed to recognize civil unions, and civil unions only.  If you got married, great, but you still need to file as a civil union.  If you're a same-sex couple, great, you too can get a civil union.  Want more?  Then you'll have to get a church take care of that.  That way it keeps it nice and simple (though I'm sure someone will tear apart my argument).  But seeing as how this simply isn't an option, heres a sampling of what I've been thinking...


One of many web definitions of the word discrimination is as follows:


I see an amendment to the state constitution to ban same-sex marriage as institutionalized discrimination.  Our country has a history of discrimination.  Despite our best efforts, discrimination is alive and well.  Way back when... women weren't allowed to vote, slavery was allowed, Japanese were sent to internment camps... 60 years ago, California became the first state to strike down a law prohibiting same-sex marriages.  The proposition seeks to ban same-sex marriages.  Based on the definition of discrimination above, this amendment would be unequal treament based on sexual orientation.  Seems to me that its a huge step back for our society.  I don't know about you, but I've been taught to accept people for their differences.


A few arguments that my friend brought up were:

1) In the first 5 yrs of a child's life, the are like clay.  She doesn't want her kids learning about it and think its ok.  She also doesn't want it to affect their understanding of gender roles.
2) The bible says that being gay is wrong


#1 -- She has every right to raise and teach her kids the way she wants, and of course I have no say over it.  However, the way I see it, just as how I was raised, I believe kids should be taught to accept people for their differences.  They should be taught to be tolerant of other religions, cultures, and suchforth.  Kids are very good observers, and are not only like clay, they are sponges!  They soak up all thats around them.  They don't see the color of skin like we do.  They have an innocence about them that I wish we all could have more of.
#2 -- I don't have an argument for this.  From my understanding, that is essentially what the bible says.  However, it also says love thy neighbor. 


It goes without saying that I voted no.  I don't believe the government should be in the business of marriage, nor should they be the ones to define whether or not it is between a man and woman.  People have their own right to believe what they want, whether being gay is right or wrong... Religions will still have their say on this issue whether the vote passes or fails.  The government is about providing services to the people, and that should be equal for all.  It would be a great injustice if this measure did pass.


Agree? Disagree?  Please share your opinions!