Thoughts on Katrina

And I thought Ivan was bad.

I caught myself complaining to myself about having to get up and go to class this morning. Then, the thought occurred that, at least I have a warm bed to be in. At least I got a home, food in my fridge, and electricity to run that fridge. At that point, I counted my blessings.

I've found myself completely glued to the TV watching CNN, the Weather Channel, or whatever other news source I could find to catch a unique angle of this disaster down on the gulf coast. Even ESPN's Sportscenter had it's report on the aftermath of Katrina and it wasn't just about how the Saints don't have a home. But still, I'm glued. For many reasons. As you know, I grew up on the gulf coast. I've been through Gulfport, Biloxi, and New Orleans. I saw my first NBA game in Mobile. There's a lot of memories attached to the area. 14 years worth.

I'm also glued to the TV because I truly feel sorry for these people involved. I was the same way with 9/11. I wanted to see every moment of everything happening so that maybe I could at least get a glimpse of the feeling that these people are feeling. Of course I really can't. I haven't lost my home, my business, any of my other belongings, and worse, my loved ones. But still, there's a little pain in this situation. My prayers and my thoughts are with everyone involved.

This makes getting up and going to class easier to say the least.

B.E.Z.

Please Pray

I'm sure most of you know that Hurricane Katrina is heading towards the New Orleans area. I don't care if you're Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, simply monotheistic (as myself), or even atheist... please wish the folks well that have to deal with this storm.

I dealt with Hurricane Elena in 1985 and I remember the sounds of the wind and the discomfort from not having power and fresh water. It's not fun, but, it's the price you pay for living in an area like that.

Katrina could end up being the worst ever. There's talk of a 25-foot storm surge that would easily barrel over the levies that hold water out of New Orleans and spill it into the city itself. There's speculation that the French Quarter might not be much of anything when it's all said and done. The forecast is showing that there could even be a 20-foot storm surge in Mobile, AL... Mobile is about 140 miles east of New Orleans.

People are going to die in this storm. Let's hope that enough people heed the warning and get out or get to a good shelter so that they're as safe as possible.

B.E.Z.

Colors and more shoutcast

Just thought I'd drop some notes.

First, after having this layout critiqued, I'm taking the suggestion of giving each section a different color. I'm not sure if I'm actually going to use that idea on here. But, it would be a tricky but interesting process if I did. I think I will go ahead and script everything, just to see how things look.

Secondly, I finally got to test my shoutcast feed for myself today in class. Everything sounds great. Just noticed one small bug when it comes to crossfading. So, I'm going to fix that when I get home. Sounds like I just have to switch crossfading plug-ins and I'll be fine. But, again, things sound great. Nothing sounds fuzzy and the bass had a nice thump to it. Feel free to check that out.

Until next time...

B.E.Z.

I don't have to call this anything do I?

I'm trying to write this during a time where I have tension pain from hell. It's that nice tightness in the neck and shoulders that you get from a job where you're not necessarily overworked, but you are underpaid due to the amount of constant bullshit that goes on throughout the workshift. Simply put, the majority of people are stupid... stupid enough to not understand that, yes, they are stupid. Infact, to be more blunt about the subject, you could be one of those stupid people I'm talking about. But, there is hope for you. You can wake up tomorrow morning and realize that the world does not revolve around you. The day that happens, this will become a better place.

But, aside from the self-indulged "me first" monarchies that go on inside people's heads these days, I've just been doin some shit.

First, I've launched my own shoutcast feed. Huh? Internet radio, comprende? Feel free to listen in anytime, the link's on the side bar. Basically, I got tired of burning all of my music and haulin it to class everyday, so, I'm utilizing my school's internet access for my own enjoyment. But, it can spot 32 listeners total, so, you're all invited. Don't say I never gave yall shit.

Secondly, I forgot what else I was going to say. So, fuck it...

B.E.Z.

Just a little news...

First off, I've put yet another new layout up. My web design and Photoshop classes have made a monster of me. This layout started as a project where I was to make a layout in photoshop. I didn't have to slice it up, or code it, but I did anyway.

The other thing that's going on is that it appears that I'm going to get some work study and internship in my schooling. I was approached with an offer to help redesign a lady's business website and there is a possibility of getting paid for it. For this, I would have to learn PHP and how to work with the MySQL server, which is something we're going to be learning soon anyway. I've also could get paid for some of my projects that I do in Web Design I, where my instructor would use my projects as examples for future classes.

I also found out that my program does internships with a company called Digital INS, who produces business related websites here in Lincoln. So, I have a good idea where I'll be heading for my internships.

Anyway, hope the layout is friendly with everyone. I was hoping it was a little easier to find the navigation than the last one. If it would make you feel better if the site would extend down instead of it being constrained like it is now, drop me a note in the comments. Otherwise, enjoy.

B.E.Z.

NCAA bans use of Native American mascots

On August 5, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) made a decision to ban Native American mascots by any member university, calling the names "hostile and abusive". One of those universities is Florida State who bares the nickname the Seminoles, named after the Seminole Tribe of Florida.

The following was on the Florida State university website in response to this decision:

STATEMENT FROM FSU PRESIDENT T.K. WETHERELL

Florida State University is stunned at the complete lack of appreciation for cultural diversity shown by the National Collegiate Athletic Association's executive committee, which announced today a policy banning schools using Native American names and symbols from hosting NCAA championship events. That the NCAA would now label our close bond with the Seminole Tribe of Florida as culturally "hostile and abusive" is both outrageous and insulting.

On June 17, the Tribal Council of the Seminole Tribe of Florida spoke unequivocally of its support for Florida State University in its use of the Seminole name and related symbols. Accordingly, I intend to pursue all legal avenues to ensure that this unacceptable decision is overturned, and that this university will forever be associated with the "unconquered" spirit of the Seminole Tribe of Florida.

National surveys have shown in recent years that an overwhelming majority of Native Americans are not offended by the use of Native American names and symbols. In making its decision, the executive committee has been swayed by a strident minority of activists who claim to speak for all Native Americans. It is unconscionable that the Seminole Tribe of Florida has been ignored.

The rules as we understand them would have us cover the Seminole name and symbol as if we were embarrassed, and any committee that would think that is a proper and respectful treatment of Native Americans should be ashamed.

I have a problem with this view. First of all, what about the Seminoles that live outside of Florida, for instance in Oklahoma? How do they feel about this? What is comes down to is that if these names offend anybody, then they should be removed.

We had a similar issue with the confederate flag flying over public buildings throughout the South. People took up issue with this because of the racial condentation involved with the flag. Even though the states involved said that this was nothing more than saying "We're proud to be southern", a lot of people did not see it this way, therefore the flag was removed in most places.

The only problem I have with the NCAA policy is that it only applies to postseason tournaments. This is where FSU and universities using names like them could have some manuverability in the court system.

Still, this was a bold step in the right direction by the NCAA.

B.E.Z.

Review: Staind - Chapter V

Platinum sales. Palatial homes. Fred Durst's cell-phone number. Is nothing enough to lift the heavy air of angst that hangs over Staind? "I've mastered feeling nothing/ I'm dead inside/ Why don't I care?" sings frontman and walking existential crisis Aaron Lewis by way of response on "Run Away," the opening track of the group's fifth album. And so the mood is set--again. The rest of the band offers its agreement through brooding torrents of noise and dense minor-key melodies. With the exception of the tantalizingly melodic "Devil" and tender love song "Everything Changes," the acoustic guitars have largely been set aside on Chapter V, leaving Staind to pummel away at its troubles and hoping that people still have time to listen to self-pitying grown men moan about their dysfunctional childhoods. "Falling is easy/ It's getting back up that becomes a problem," Lewis sings on "Falling."

Overall, it's a fairly solid album.

Yup, changed layouts again

This is my second layout change in the past week.

Simply put, I had some free time in class, I saw another layout much like this one and decided to make one similar to it. I'm also in love with the color orange right now... partially because it's 95 degrees out right now and partially because I have this sudden love for the Texas Longhorns. More than anything, I'm rooting for Texas because Husker fans can't stand it and that's all the reasoning I need.

But, not much more to say. Y'all b.e.z.