Underrated movies

Waterworld-Okay, I've already confessed to liking the movie so it shouldn't be a surprise. The truth is that I've always loved the ocean and I've related to the Costner character. I can be standoffish and aloof at time (like we all can) and he fundamentally is a solitary person. If he had wi-fi and some classic video games on his raft I'd be him. It's not that we dislike being around people (though he sort of does). He's like Han Solo. He places a high value on his freedom and independence. The story is also innovative and even though it's an impossibility (no, the glaciers melting would not cause the world to be covered in water) it's still an interesting tale.

Sneakers-This is a snarky spy movie that is full of interesting characters and was seen by all of two people. My Mom and I when I was in 10th grade. Sure it's against things I agree with politically (It's Hollywood, after all) but I still really like this movie. It's about a group of computer hackers, ex-CIA agents and conspiracy theorists who team together to retrieve "the ultimate codebreaker", a device that could in theory break every code out there. It's technology is dated (it's from a different age) it shoves it's beliefs down your throat-but it's still a funny and fun movie that keeps you guessing.

Sleepers-I carry grudges like Michael Corleone in the Godfather. I'd like to say that converting helped me with forgiveness, and it did to a point. This movie is tough to watch and it deals with a disturbing subject matter and it's not for everyone. Without providing a spoiler, the movie shows how far four people will go to settle scores. It's certainly not a good way to live your life in the non movie world, but even though it's troubling to watch it is enjoyable to see the bad guys get their just due in a graphic (though satisfying) way.

Phone booth-Okay, it's a Joel Schumacher film an that alone usually means it will be terrible. Make no mistake-this movie does what Schumacher films usually do-it's shoves it's morality down your throat and reminds you that you are the scumbag if you disagree with it. But I got over it quickly in this case. This was a very cool idea (an unseen sniper holding you hostage and could kill you in a minute) wrapped around a morality tale. Colin Farrell (remember him?) plays an arrogant NYC publicist who gets slapped down by the sanctimonious sniper. Won't say what happens, but I will say that despite the terrible NYC accent he tries to have, Colin Farrell is amazing and surprisingly  sympathetic as the focal point of this movie.

Are LDS missionaries too young?

One of my non member friends asked me "What can an 18 year old tell me about life? They don't even know who they are yet."

He's right. At 18 you don't know anything about life. And no, you don't know yourself yet. What is worse is that at eighteen you think you know everything and that world should listen to you. LDS missionaries aren't alone. Everyone thinks they know everything at that age. I did, for sure. In fact, it took me longer to realize that I didn't know anything than it does for most people.  I was about thirty when it first dawned on me that I was really stupid and ignorant. Most people learn that through experience much earlier.

LDS missionaries are young but they are your introduction to the church-the church isn't run by teenagers. It's run by older men who have enough life experience to understand how the world works. Now, you can argue that you don't know their philosophy and that's fine-totally your right. But they have the age that allows them to be confident in their views. They've usually seen other viewpoints and other walks of life-sometimes eighteen year olds from rural Utah have not.

Colin Kapernick refuses to stand for the National Anthem

Few things can show your hipness and innate coolness better than not engaging in patriotism. After all, nationalism is so 2001. The quarterback for the 49ers decided to rage against the machine by not standing for the national anthem during an exhibition game. He isn't the first and he won't be the last-and thankfully for him he isn't trying to seem like he is.

That's the only good thing I can say about him. Other than that, I think he's a grade A asshole. He's getting filthy rich playing football, and yes, he's getting paid in American money. If this country is as bad as he seems to think it is-well the Canadian Football League is hiring. NFL Europe has some wonderful career opportunities too. He won't go over there because the pay is terrible, the taxes are high and yes, even countries like Canada and those in Europe have racism and other problems. If he had integrity he would put his money where his mouth is and flee such an evil country.

The other irritating part of him doing this is the middle finger he's giving to veterans. Yes, you really do owe veterans respect because if it wasn't for them you'd probably be goose-stepping on your way to work in the morning. Ingratitude is a serious problem in this society, and Kapernick is a shining example of it.

Do I expect the media and ESPN to say anything about this? No, of course not. Sports "journalism" isn't real journalism. Real journalism involves putting your life on the line in war zones and ghettos, not asking professional athletes how they feel after winning or losing a game. I fully expect ESPN to talk about how wonderful he is for standing up for his beliefs. Though if Mr. Kapernick sat out to protest abortion rights or gay marriage, he'd be screamed at for his bigotry.

Scripture Sunday Alma 44:3

So many times in life we are frightened. It seems like we are frightened with good reason. After all we live in an increasingly secular society and at times we can feel like our faith is slipping away. While I am firm believer that life is getting better, I can also see the other side from time to time. 

But this passage gives me tremendous hope. It's an unspeakable comfort that the Lord has given us great faith and delivered us here. Truly no one can destroy our faith and like other scriptures say "If Christ is for us, who can be against us?" 

Pharmaceutical CEOS

So it's been in the news that the CEO of a pharmaceutical company has jacked up the price of epi-pens  to an obscene level. Sick, isn't it? 

Well imagine if the woman who did this was 1) a man and 2) the offspring of a prominent republican. You might not have heard about it but the CEO is the daughter of Joe Manchin, democrat from West Virginia. Joe Manchin is what they call a "conservative" democrat. He seems it too, he's more conservative than some of the northeast republicans like Susan Collins or Charlie Baker from Massachusetts. That doesn't bother me, I agree with Manchin on a few issues.

I don't want to say the CEO is getting a free pass from the media. After all if she was, no one would have heard about it. She is a big Hillary supporter and that actually is whispered-I don't see it broadcast about much. 

I've gone "one record" to support pharmaceutical companies and their prices and I still do. Innovation is best served by a free market and competition. Instead of donating to the Hillary campaign the CEO should be trying to spread how capitalism works and the benefits it has given to society. 

Album of the weekend

Anthrax-For All Kings

I was never a huge Anthrax fan. In fact, Anthrax was one of those bands I admire more than I enjoy. I understand that the are hugely influential and I can easily see how someone can love them. In fact, I think they have a unique sound that you don't hear much in metal. That alone is worthy of admiration.

I heard the song "Suzerain" on the Eddie Trunk show on XM radio. The first time I heard it, I loved it. I thought it was cutting edge, innovative and something I had never heard before. I knew I had to buy the entire album, even if Anthrax was never my cup of tea.

I'm glad I did, because this is a very good album. I can't say if it's a comeback album or not because I don't have enough experience listening to them to know. The album is flooded with good songs that are worth a download even if you, like me are not their biggest fan. The other good thing about the album is you don't need to be a big Anthrax fan to enjoy it.

Score one for the granddaddies out there-Megadeth, Anthrax and Judas Priest all have released great albums in the past few years.

Callings in the church

To my non-LDS readers a "calling" in the church is like a job you do without getting paid for it. It's volunteer work that church members are asked to do.

For some people being called to do something is the Lords work and it's a huge honor. For others, it's something they'd rather avoid at all costs. I've seen it both ways and I understand both ways totally. When people think that a calling is the Lords work and refusing it is refusing the Lord-it makes it difficult to utilize talents properly. IE-if you hate kids but are called to be a leader in the boy scouts, it's probably not going to end well. If you have no leadership qualities and are surly, unpleasant and rude but are called to be a Bishop-it's going to be a detriment to the church in the long run. The Lord may qualify the called, but common sense is also needed.

This issue bothers me more than it probably should because I've seen good people overlooked for callings they were more than qualified for and I've seen questionable people called for things they were totally unprepared for. Upfront-no, I am not talking about myself. I've never been offered a leadership role in the church (in fact, in three years in my old ward I was never even asked to speak a single time) and I don't really want one either.

I feel sorry for people who have been in the church for years and have never had a calling of significance-and yes, while there are no small roles there are only small actors there are smaller callings. Sorry people.

Obama playing golf

Oh, how I remember the Bush years when a fat, annoying filmmaker who plays the "regular guy" while living in a NYC penthouse that you or I could only dream of made fun of Bush for playing golf and going on vacation. It reminded him of Nero fiddling while Rome was burning. Oddly, when Obama takes vacations, the fatass filmmaker (think I'm fat shaming? Damn right I am) is quiet. So are other people who complained loudly and voraciously about that evil monster, George W Bush.

Obama plays a lot of golf and takes a lot of vacations. Since he is a liberal, I don't expect other liberals to critique him, just like I don't expect other conservatives to critique conservatives.

But I am not a liberal and I think bashing both presidents of taking vacations is total garbage.

The presidency is one of those jobs that goes with you. The dude with the nuclear football is rarely out of eyesight of the president, same with his large staff. If something goes wrong, the president can handle it whether he or she is in Orlando at Disney World with his kids, Texas with his friends, or Nantucket with the social elite. If he has to fly back to DC in case there is a crisis, he's got Air Force One to help him do that.

So yeah, who the hell cares if the president goes on vacation-it's easy. The party not in power. It's indicative of our political culture that a president literally can't do a thing without someone critiquing them. It didn't start with Obama-it started with Clinton, got worse with Bush, and got incredibly worse with Obama.

"If you are looking for a friend in Washington-get a dog.-Harry Truman

Complaining about Millennials

I'm not at that life stage yet where I bitch and complain all the time. It is a grave personality flaw to find fault in everything. In fact, it's among the most selfish things you can do. Being a selfish nag is your own problem, but most people who nag and complain want to spread their bad mood among all of us. We all know people who complain when it's hot outside than complain when it's cold. They complain that social media is negative without realizing that their complaining makes it more so. 

They also complain about millennials. A lot. In fact, they blame millennials for everything wrong in todays society. Most are too stupid to realize that if millennials are that bad, surely they share some of the blame for raising such terrible people. I get it, Generation X complained about Generation Y. The baby boomers complained about Generation X. The lost generation of the Jazz era complained about the Greatest Generation from World War II. 

Is it human nature to complain about everything? In my view yes, but that does not mean it's right. We need to fight our natures, we can't give in to them. If you do you will very quickly see your life spiraling out of control. Complaining all the time also fills you with ingratitude. Another less than charming personality trait. 

My favorite Ink Master artists

In honor of the new season, I thought I'd talk about Ink Master for a bit.

Upfront-If you are an artist on this show, you are an amazing artist and much better than many other people. The worst artist on Ink Master is still fantastic at their job.  I also get the impression that Ink Master is somewhat controversial in the tattoo world because it shows a romanticized and idealistic side of tattooing. I understand that-as much as a person who isn't a tattoo artist can-which I admit isn't much. 

My favorite artists: 

Cleen Rock One-Most artists can usually do a little bit of everything and perhaps have one specific type of tattoo (American Traditional, Trash Polka, Realistic) that they specialize in. It's not unheard of but it is less common that an artist can do all types of tattooing at a spectacular level. Cleen Rock One is an artist who can do all types of tattooing at an extremely high level. No matter what style you want he can create a piece of artwork that is on par with people who master at that specific style. Combine that with the time frame you are under on this show and you'll begin to see how Cleen Rock One is among the very best tattoo artists around. He's one of the few who could be a judge on the show along with Chris Nunez, Oliver Peck, and Dave Navarro. 

Joshua Hibbard-Tattoo artists need many skills. They don't just need to be good at drawing, they need to be good at applying that drawing to the skin-which is a complex skill in itself. They need to be good at sales and dealing with people. Like it or not, that's a huge part of tattooing that is overlooked because the artwork side is more interesting and hip. Important to remember though-few people want to get tattooed by someone who acts like a jerk. Also since the majority of people who get tattooed are not artists (myself included, for sure) you need a certain sales ability to get them to agree to a good looking piece that they might not be sure of getting. Because Hibbard was not that great at actual drawing (he was underrated in that too though) and was viewed as an arrogant guy, he was written off as someone who was not at the level of everyone else. That's nonsense, of course. The guy was a great artist and an excellent tattooist. 

Christian Buckingham-He was the grizzled old man on last season. This guy was in tattooing for the long haul, as evidenced by the tribal tattoo on the face that he had. That alone is dedication to the lifestyle and I admire that. He was a great artist who much like Cleen Rock One could do basically anything that would come into the store. His artistry was surprising - like everyone else I didn't expect him to be so good at all types. I thought he'd just be great at old school. That's not an insult, most of my tattoos are old school. This guy was great and I can't wait to see him on another season of the show, if he's invited back and comes on. 

Scripture Sunday Alma 28:14

Life is not supposed to be one where you work your entire life from fifteenish-eighty and then you die. While a part of life certainly should be used to pursue gainful employment no one will be on their deathbed and say that they wished they worked longer hours. 

Many, many religious types love to focus on working because they think it'll keep you out of trouble. Idle hands are the devils playground after all. This is partially true-studies show that busier people are generally happier and happier people don't usually do things that are sinful and evil-but part of life can and should be vegging out and partying. 

Of course sorrow is part of life and this passage contrasts between the sorrow of death and destruction and the joy and happiness that Christ brings. So many religions focus on the negativity, sorrow and doom that they forget that focusing on Christ can and should bring happiness and rejoicing. 

The Da Vinci Code

Remember when the Da Vinci Code came out? I was in college and it was a hotly contested book. First off-it's a good page turner than I finished in a couple of days. The characters are over the top, the setting is foreign and romantic, and Dan Brown tells a good story. Sadly though it's not based in reality and if you think it's "good literature" you need to take a basic, basic class in what "good literature" is.

I remember someone who I used to work with in one of the many odd jobs I've had. She was a self described 'aging hippy'. Like I usually do, I was talking with another co-worker and mentioned that the Da Vinci Code was a good book based in fiction. The "aging hippy" said she "begged to differ with me". I remember her snotty look and everything. I didn't respond to her, but she taught me a wonderful lesson.

People choose what to believe and they defend it, delusional or not. Mona Lisa is widely thought of to be a woman named "Lisa del Giocondo". In 2005 it was provided conclusively by a note that was found written by a government clerk stating that Da Vinci was working on a portrait of Lisa.

However, people like my former co-worker to this day still believe in whack job conspiracy theories, like the ones talked about in the Da Vinci Code that have broken into pop culture. No, the Mona Lisa is not Da Vinci in drag. It never was-yet people still believe it. 

Album of the weekend

Judas Priest-Screaming for Vengeance

When a band has several albums that are considered to be their "masterpiece" and they are all good, that's the sign of a great band. One of the signs, anyway.

"Screaming for Vengeance" is considered their "breakthrough" album, just like "British Steel" was. I'm not sure you can have two "breakthrough" albums, except in rare cases. This isn't their breakthrough album-in fact, it's more of a return to classic form album. "British Steel" established them as one the best metal band of all time (yes, you read that right. Judas Priest is one of the best metal bands ever) and "Screaming for Vengeance" solidified their legendary status.

This album is just as hard, just as fast, just as primal as their other great albums. Judas Priest is sometimes forgotten about when talking about classic metal bands. If you think they don't belong, try this album.

Billie Joe Armstrong apparently loves Donald Trump

We all know that the lead singer of Green Day, Billie Joe is an avid right winger and outspoken conservative. After all, most punk stars are known for being republicans at heart. 

Green Day has become overrated, but for a brief time they owned the punk scene. Their first few albums are fantastic and while I don't like what they've become I do recognize their influence to modern music. All of us had Dookie, after all.

Billie Joe called Trump "Hitler", and that's of course a stupid thing to say. Comparing anyone to Hitler (yes, even Trump) shows that you don't understand history or care that much about the victims of actual Nazis. It's okay, no one should go to Billie Joe for sympathy or historical knowledge in the first place anyway.

Billie Joe thinks it's punk to give the finger to the establishment-and he's right. Punks do their own thing and think for themselves. Sadly though, if Billie really wanted to be punk, he'd give the finger to the establishment if the establishment was liberal or conservative. I'm waiting for him to create a new American Idiot in regards to NSA spying. Or create a song singing the heroics of Edward Snowden. (If he has, I apologize. I don't listen to Green Day much)

I don't like Trump either but I can't compare the man to Hitler. Trump is an authoritarian, but I still can't believe that he's setting up concentration camps for his enemies.

Then again, the Dead Kennedys did say "Close your eyes, can't happen here." So I might be whistling past the graveyard. 

Smokin' with Malia Obama

First off, in eight years I've never said anything negative about the Obama girls because they are minors and don't deserve to be brought up in polite conversation.

She's eighteen years old now, same age as Jenna Bush when she snuck into bars in Texas and got busted for underage age drinking. Because Jenna's Dad was the evil, the demonic and the republican George W Bush, the media had a field day. Because Malia's Dad is the wonderful, the perfect and the Godlike Barack Obama, the mainstream media basically ignored it. Thankfully  the mainstream media is being overruled by the internet. For those of us who think the mainstream media are biased, weak, and lapdogs for the establishment-we're doing cartwheels.

People will say "But Jenna Bush drank underage! How dare you say anything about Malia Obama!" Bullshit. Just pointing out a "wrong" in someone else doesn't justify another wrong. I can't punch the guy next to me in the line at Publix, then when I get arrested say "But the girl in the next line got a DUI. Arrest her and leave me out of it.". Smoking a joint and drinking underage isn't comparable to DUI and punching people, but my point that you can't justify bad behavior by pointing to other bad behavior is dead on.

Do I care that Malia Obama smoked pot at a concert? Nope. Many, many of us have done the same thing. Do I care that thousands of people are in jail for doing the same thing? Damn right I do. Smoking pot might be immoral in the LDS world and you are free to avoid it at all costs, ban it from your house and forbid your kids from doing it. However in my subjective view it should be legalized and taxed immediately, and all people in jail or with convictions on their record for smoking it should be fully and unconditionally pardoned and or have the convictions expunged from their record. Yes, I've smoked pot before. I don't do it anymore and I've never been arrested for possession. You don't need to be an avid pothead to be troubled by the thought of people in jail for simple possession though.

Bullying

To start off the week on an incredibly tragic note, a recent article in the New York post told us about a thirteen year old who killed himself after being the victim of horrible bullying.

Click here to read the heartbreaking story.

Horrific bullying happens all the time, and the worst part about this is that schools do not care at all. They turn a blind eye or worse, punish the victim while ignoring the bullies.  Most of us know of situations like this where a kid would be mercilessly teased, he'd fight back, and then he'd get in trouble or it even though he was doing nothing but defending himself.

To me the truly evil people in this story are the administrators and teachers at this school who ignored the situation and made it worse. Yes, they really do have blood on their hands and no, they will not get punished for it in the least. Should they lose their jobs? Yes. Should they do time in jail? Honestly...yes. If they saw the bullying and saw the situation getting worse and still refused to do anything about it or handled it a negligent or grossly incompetent way, shouldn't they have to pay consequences? Perhaps it would be best if they had to look at an 8 x 10 of this child with the note on it saying "You could have done more" for a few years. That'll at least give them a not so subtle reminder that ignoring bullying can have grave consequences for everyone. They are the adults after all, and an innocent child died under "their watch".

Obviously I feel very strongly about this. I know not all teachers are like the ones I am describing and some teachers go the extra ten miles to reach and protect all children. Still though, the fact that we have wonderful teachers out there doesn't exclude the bad ones.

To quote the modern day prophets Megadeth, "The system has failed."

Hillary and the establishment

Hillary Clinton, if you are a traditional liberal, is the candidate for you and you should vote for her. I am not voting for her because I don't share her values. I have no issue with anyone thinks differently than I do of course.

But don't vote for Hillary if you think she is counter culture and anti-establishment. Look at all the celebrities and politicians that already support her. If you can look at all them and still think she is anti-estabilishemt, you delude yourself.

I love it when people question authority. In fact, questioning authority has been getting me in trouble since I was a child. It always has, it always will. Curiosity is the purest form of insubordination (not my quote, I forget where I found it) and people who just accept what they've been told always bother me. I think it's a sign of not thinking for yourself.

It's often the left that people think "questions authority" but in reality, no party really does that. If they are the ones in charge, they blindly obey authority. Worse, those that question authority are immediately thought of as evil or deficient in some way. People tell you to just shut up and obey.

Scripture Sunday Mosiah 29:12

Religious people don't really care about being judged by the other people. I take that back. 99% of religious people care deeply about being judged by other people. I'm not sure about those strange people who say they "don't care" what others think. Like I've mentioned before you do care, or else you wouldn't say it and if you don't care what others think of you, why should they care about what you think of them, and your opinions and thoughts therefore become meaningless to anyone but yourself. Sound way to live to your life.

This passage reminds us that God is always correct when it comes to moral judgements, and that humans are often wrong when it comes to moral judgements. Interestingly though, it doesn't mention moral judgments in particular. When it comes to humans judgements of all types are often wrong. 

How to irritate an English major in three easy steps

My college degree is in English, and with that degree there comes a whole bunch of assumptions. The first one is that I'm unemployed and living in a box. It's true that English majors usually don't work in the field-because journalism has died and teaching isn't for everyone. There isn't much left and I see many of my friends who majored in English working in other fields that don't use the skills acquired while getting that degree. Luckily for me, being an international sex symbol pays the bills. I'll be on the cover of GQ next month.

The next most irritating thing you can do is rattle off your favorite obscure author that no one other than yourself has heard of than insult my college education after I tell you I've never heard of them. Oddly, when I meet an art major I don't try to stump them on obscure painters. When I meet a business major I don't try and rattle off economic theories that they may not know of. Next time I meet a history major I'm going to ask them their thoughts on the Battle of Worcester and than imply that they wasted four years if they don't know who the generals were for both sides. In other words, just because I haven't heard of a certain author doesn't mean my degree was useless.

The final thing you can do is assume we are all grammar Nazis. There is a lot of truth in this one though. I'm one of the rare English majors who is not a grammar Nazi, nor have I ever been one. The sad part about grammar Nazis is that yes, they too make grammar mistakes but they hold everyone else to a foolishly high standard. They seem to think that if you make one mistake in grammar you are automatically a dumbass. Sometimes I make grammar mistakes and misspell words just to tell them I'm still thinking of them. 

Album of the weekend

Metallica-...And Justice for All

The last truly great Metallica album, this is an album for true metalheads. Long songs, dark and disturbing lyrics and incredible, jaw dropping guitar solos. The agony and horrors of returning war veterans. The devastation of mental illness in a family. Murder and suicide. Existential philosophy.   Wrong man accused and ironically, justice not being applied equally and fairly. it goes way beyond the common place metal topics at the time.

It was the first full album to be produced after the death of Cliff Burton, and Jason Newsted will always be the under appreciated brother of the group. He's a musical genius, and much, much more talented than the average fan gives him credit for. Ulrich, Hetfield and Hammet were at their peak and Jason fits in with them just fine-at least musically. It's widely known that the guys in the band never treated him as an equal. Sad.

When a band peaks, it's always a bit sad-because you know there is only way to go from there. But very very few bands achieve this kind of success both musically and commercially, and Metallica should be remembered for who they were rather than what they've become.

Paul Ryan

Remember Paul Ryan? He was the 2012 republican vice presidential pick. He is currently the speaker of the house after a whole bunch of political drama. He also kicked the ass of an annoying little pest who tired to unseat him in the primary. 

The right wing of the republican party is a delusional group of people. They seem to never be satisfied and they simply don't understand how politics works. You will never agree with someone all the time. Not your priest, minister, bishop or political heroes. Just because you disagree with them does not mean they or you are incorrect- it simply means that :: gasp :: you are both humans. 

Paul Ryan (Like his predecessor, John Boehner) has a conservative voting record but because the far right views him as "establishment" he has no chance of satisfying them. Even Ronald Reagan right now (a political hero of mine) would be considered moderate or establishment because he doesn't swallow all the conservative dogma. After all, he was divorced and even singed a very liberal abortion bill into law when he was governor of California. 

It's incredibly damaging to the GOP that the right has gone off it's meds and become insane. Constant upheaval in politics will help the other side because it'll turn off moderates and people otherwise open to voting for moderate republicans. For idealogical purists though, anyone who dares to think for themselves is finished.

Adoption and stupid comments

So some Olympic commentator made some stupid comments on adoption lately, didn't he? If you've never made stupid comments before raise your hand, than immediately slap yourself with it, because you are lying.

I was adopted at birth by two wonderful people. I call them my "real parents" and I get irritated when people ask me "Who are you real parents?" It's an ignorant comment but in fairness, I've said ignorant comments before too and I'm not perfect. Who am I to judge after all?

The troubling thing about adoption is that it's usually religious people who make the worst comments about it, by far. In public school no one mentioned it or cared-even though everyone knew. When I switched to Catholic school, it was brought up a fair amount of time and I was teased over it. By more than one person. On more than one occasion. Like tolerant social justice warriors, the people who claim to be full of love and peace are almost always the biggest scumbags.

Crystal Clear Pepsi

I've seen people online talk about their love of Crystal Clear Pepsi. Some of these people are so young that I don't think they were born when it even it came out.

It got me thinking though-if this many people liked it in the first place, why did it go out of business? Just because I don't like something doesn't mean no one else did of course (I thought it tasted disgusting, but I've always been more of a Coke guy. Soft drink, not illegal drug) and a niche product can certainly survive if enough people like it, but Crystal Clear Pepsi went away for a reason.

It's a false nostalgia that we tend to go through when things go out of business. Do we really miss Kmart? No! The customer service was generally awful and most of the stores were so dirty that you felt like you needed to burn your clothes after going there. Do we miss Radio Shak? Like Kramer from Seinfeld said, "Did they really need your phone number when you just needed batteries?" You know my feelings about nostalgia and I do miss some things that have gone away, but for the most part-Crystal Clear Pepsi, Kmart and most other things that have gone? No way.

Molly, Peter and Jack

LDS have heard the phrases "Molly Mormon, Peter Priesthood, and Jack Mormon." To the outside world, a Molly Mormon is a stereotypical "good little LDS girl" who does all the things you'd think a good little LDS girl does. She has 4-5 kids, probably doesn't work outside the house and is "the type" that wouldn't dare date a guy who didn't serve and complete a mission.

Peter Priesthood is the male version of that. An Eagle Scout who served a mission faithfully, he thinks cursing is saying something like "Oh Jeez" and that growing a beard/mustache is on par with killing someone in regards to sin. He got married young, had kids young, and follows the rules of the church rigorously.

Jack Mormons are those who pick and choose what church rules they want to follow, wether for personal convenience, being rebellious, or they just don't agree with the church on this or that issue. I get the feeling that Harry Reid, John Hunstman Jr are both Jack Mormons to some degree because they break from the church on key issues. To be clear I'm a Jack Mormon too on some issues, so I don't call others that as a pejorative, it's descriptive.

I really do sympathize with all three terms and the people called them. I feel sorry for anyone called a name they don't like being called. It also must seem strange if you are doing your best to follow the rules as you see them and get insulted for it. That said, it's also insulting if, by reason or experience you don't agree with a certain rule of the church and are insulted by a self righteous prig who looks down on you because you choose to think for yourself. So I feel sorry for all three types of people really.

Scripture Sunday 2 Nephi 28:22

"The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist"-The Usual Suspects. I haven't seen that movie in years but I thought that line was fantastic. Still do.

"Thought there was no hell?" "Aye, thought the same until I went there"-Mephistopheles from Dr. Faustus

In our modern society, those who still believe in God and the devil are often thought of to be archaic, and that's exactly what the devil wants them (and us) to believe. While the devil does not have the power to control our behavior and he never has-he does have the power to influence our behavior. Basically by doing exactly what this passage from scripture describes. He will grasp you with his influence and suck you down, if you let him.

Can you judge art/artists?

The short answer is yes, of course you can. The long answer is yes, of course you can.

If you are an artist of any kind and you can't handle judgements and critiques, you had better find a new job immediately and never complain about it again. That goes for bloggers, tattooists, painters, essayists and basically anyone who has ever produced anything in their life. Aristotle said "The only way to avoid criticism is to do and say nothing."

None of this is to say that your opinion of literature and music will be taken seriously if you really don't know what you are talking about. If you can't stand the paintings of Edgar Degas and think they have no redeeming quality-you better have a good reason or be prepared to not be taken seriously. In other words, judge all you want too, but be prepared to back it up. Saying you don't like something is fine, but be sure to have a reason for it.

Album of the weekend

Frehley's Comet-self titled

There are people out  there who can't over certain things. Sometimes it's their first break up, (I knew a guy who at age 22 was still in love with a girl who cheated on him at age 16. Yikes!) or a job they loved that they somehow lost. Maybe it's the fact that their band opened for Third Eye Blind (Forget about them? They were the 1997 version of Nickleback) or they know someone who knows someone whose music was used in a Kevin Smith movie.

For others, it's the fact that anyone who likes the band Kiss is automatically a terrible person who has no music taste. I get this all the time. "What? You like Kiss? But you graduated college! But you also like the Jesus and Mary Chain (I do) and Iron Maiden (I do)." I do understand where they are coming from-Kiss is cheesy, they embrace simplicity and they don't have critical acclaim from any self respecting critic. Neither does AC/DC, but somehow AC/DC lacks the widespread hatred that Kiss receives.

Get over your hatred, if you have any of it, and go buy this album. Sure it's not a Kiss album but as I'm sure you know, Ace Frehley was the lead guitarist of Kiss and he's widely thought of (with some degree of truth, some degree of lies) as the "rock and roll" guy. After leaving Kiss he formed "Frehley's Comet" a short lived band that put out two great albums.

This is one of those albums where almost every song is good, with one glaring exception (Dolls is the exception. Terrible song). Ace can sing a little but he is a master at the guitar. Many rock gods (little "g") consider him a huge influence and it's not hard to see why after listening to this album. "Rock Soldiers" starts it off well as does "Breakout" which has drummer Eric Carr preforming. "Love me Right" and "Into the Night" are also good songs filled with great guitar solos and overall very catchy sounds.

I am convinced that if anyone else released this album it would be considered fantastic.  

Armageddon and end times

Given that the name of the church is the "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints" many believers think that we are in the latter days. Which means the end times are what we currently living in.

That doesn't mean that every Latter Day Saint thinks that the world will end by 2018. In fact, I'm not sure why anyone would bring in a child if they thought the world would be ending soon. Given that the end of the world could be tumultuous and somewhat frightening (to say the least) it seems unfair and sick that you'd want to bring a child into it.

Like most normal people, I look down my nose at the doomsayers and lunatics out there who think every earthquake and hurricane is a sign of armageddon. Things were worse in the 1940's, when there was a world war going on. Things were worse in the 1910's, when there was a world war going on. Things were worse in the 1860's, when there was a civil war going on. Good rule of thumb: You can't complain about how bad life is when you aren't dodging bullets and seeing people die on your doorstep in battles.

I think the doomsayers for the most part, mean well. Some surely want money and power-and those are the worst kind of doomsayers. Luckily they are quickly marginalized. Harold Camping was laughed at before his death and after his failed prophecy. I am convinced that is why the modern day prophets of the LDS church don't give specific dates-they don't want to look like idiots if they are wrong.

Parenting and people over 18

This will go against pop culture and modern trends. That is said in advance. Read at your own risk.

A grown man above the age of 25 calling his mother his "best friend" is a little weird to me. Listen carefully-being close to your parents is a good thing, a very good thing. You should go out of your way to be close to your parents in most circumstances. Boundaries are still needed though.

I've seen it happen both ways. I've seen grown men who can't live without texting or calling their mom every day, sometimes multiple times a day. Again, it's nice that these men are so close to their mothers, but you also need to invest emotional energy in people your own age-both male and female. I've also seen mothers who text and call their grown sons several times a day. This isn't normal either. The cord has to be cut eventually and the old saying that "A good mother knows when it's time for her children to leave the nest" is exactly true. You should focus on raising a man/woman, not a grown up who refuses to mature.

 I lived with my parents for a bit after I turned 18, and there is nothing wrong with that of course. It becomes a problem when you are 35 and you haven't left home. One of my exes was 29 and she had never left home either. I found it odd that her parents were telling a 29 year old to clean her room and be home by 11:00 PM. It was so disturbing to me that the relationship never went anywhere.

I guess it's a problem with millennials more than the generations before them, but you can't just blame millennials for everything. I haven't reached that stage in life yet where I blame young people for all of our nations ills.  

Life being miserable and perspective

Or does it?

These past few weeks I've noticed that many people from my childhood and high school days have been complaining a lot about how bad their lives are. I feel sorry for them, to a degree. With exceptions, sometimes if your life is abysmal and terrible for a prolonged period of time it is your fault. Remember the person who always complains about how drama filled their life is? Looking back, don't you want to say "Well stop creating it then?"

Obviously I truly hope that no one has a prolonged period of hardship, anger, sadness or misery. Life can be short, but it can also be very long and very difficult.

But let's get some perspective here. What we in the first world call "miserable" a large, large portion of the world would literally be in awe of. Prospective is like experience. Once you acquire it, it's often too late.

Depression and being alive today

My heart breaks for people who have depression. In my view it's like alcoholism-a disease that can strike down anyone at any time in their life, no matter who they are. There are rude things you can say to those suffering from depression and alcoholism. Of course we all know people who say "Oh just get over it it's just in your head." This truly is a cruel and terrible thing to say to anyone suffering from a mental illness, and you ought to be ashamed of yourself if you've ever said that to anyone or brushed off their illnesses and sickness. 

Sadly, many people still are of the "It's just in your head" mentality, even in 2016. Like many, many negative things-it's changing and more and more often the people who think that way are getting dismissed and marginalized, like they should be. I'm virtually assuring you that every person with depression or addiction would absolutely love to "just get over it." 

The good news (and it's very good news) is that in 2016, there are many ways we can treat depression, alcoholism and addiction. Now a doctor can treat your mental illness with medications instead of telling you suck it up and deal. If you are a regular reader to my blog, you'll know a major pet peeve of mine is people who complain about being alive today. Those people who bitch about it should be forced to use medicine that was only available to them at that time period. IE-People who complain that the 50's were the best time of life would be forced to put their money where their mouth is and live like it's the 50's. No one, literally no one will take me up on that because, well, life in the 50's sort of sucked, at least medically speaking. They'd be off the internet as well. So they couldn't read this blog. Which would truly be the worst punishment, as we all know.