We All Get Older, We Don't All Get Grown.

Today on my way to lunch I passed a homeless guy with a sign that read 'Vote Obama, I need the money.' I laughed.

Once in the restaurant my server had on a 'Obama 08' tie, again I laughed as he had given away his political preference -- just imagine the coincidence.

When the bill came I decided not to tip the server and explained to him that I was exploring the Obama redistribution of wealth concept. He stood there in disbelief while I told him that I was going to redistribute his tip to someone who I deemed more in need--the homeless guy outside. The server angrily stormed from my sight.

I went outside, gave the homeless guy $10 and told him to thank the server inside as I've decided he could use the money more. The homeless guy was grateful.

At the end of my rather unscientific redistribution experiment I realized the homeless guy was grateful for the money he did not earn, but the waiter was pretty angry that I gave away the money he did earn even though the actual recipient deserved money more.

I guess redistribution of wealth is an easier thing to swallow in concept than in practical application.

Joe Paycheck
--

My co-worker forwarded me this email today. I thought it was a very realistic and practical way of looking at Obama's ideology. As awesome as living in a Utopia sounds, sadly that is not the society we live in. I'd like to see all Obama supporters who are earning a paycheck, to take this into consideration before election day. Especially, voters who are in my age group. I guess you can take this as a challenge of sorts: I, Brandon Lagao, personally think that the majority of voters around my age group will be voting for Obama simply based on Trendiness and Susceptibility to a good Marketing Campaign. Yeah, I said it. Now prove me wrong. For the next paycheck you earn, inform your employer beforehand, to take a nice sized percentage of it and give it to somebody else that they feel needs it more than yourself. Make sure that you have No say in who your $$$ goes to.

It'll definitely be a great gesture of charity, but it will also show your support for Obama's plan to redistribute wealth among the nation and it will justify your vote. Here is the catch though...when taking on this challenge keep it to yourself and do not speak of it to anyone. This will keep the experiment honest and assure that you are doing it for the right reasons and not just to be seen doing something.

I'm Brandon Lagao and I approve this message.

I am so glad the NBA Season started today!

Brandon Lagao saves America. There are reports Brandon Lagao may run for President, making him the first ever Filipino American President.



(Thanks Carrasco.)

Remember that future entry on love I talked about...well here it is as promised! What can I say, I love the idea of "true love" and everything it stands for.

The lesson you learn from your very first failed relationship is that, every relationship you are in before you meet "the one" are learning situations. I know this and reluctantly accept this to be a truth. I consider myself to be a scholar of life and am in love with expanding my knowledge in anything from math to underwater basket weaving to the meaning of life. I'm not that great at math, i'm not sure I could even basket weave outside of water let alone submerged in it, and the meaning of life is something i've accepted i'll never fully know...but that doesn't stop my pursuit of knowledge, regardless of how trivial some of it may be. So, in my last "relationship", I took this whole "failed relationship-lessons thing" to a new level. It was probably one of the more ignorant things i've done lately, but in the end I can still look back at it as being productive.

Lets just put it this way, after date #1 of this relationship, the following words actually came out of my mouth: "She's cool but i'd never ever want to be in a serious relationship with her." When every positive is immediately followed by a "but", that relationship typically doesn't end in a long-lasting, meaningful relationship. It more likely then not, will end though. But nevertheless, I continued on for a few more months of this. Not one time during this process did my feelings change...but i continued on because it was fun and I kept telling myself that I would probably learn something that will improve me for my future someday. I've never been in a relationship before where my long term goal, wasn't something more meaningful. This was new and exciting for me. Wow, what an idiot. And like every other failed relationship, it ended. I finally came to my senses and decided I needed to stop this. Looking back, I did learn a lot though. I learned how to be less serious when it came to my love life. I expanded my already extensive spontaneity. I reinforced that i truly am a man of principal and my morals are my foundation when its all said and done. And probably most importantly, I learned to be less sensitive when it comes to how humans treat each other. I hope to take all these things into my next relationship, whether it be a failure or a success.


moral of the story: It's usually not a good idea to date someone for the sole purpose of gaining personal life lessons. Not only is it not fair to the other person, but it is a waste of time, money, and good date ideas :) Even if you learn something in the end, if that is your purpose, go serve in Africa for a month, interview an old couple that's been in the game for 50+ years, or just simply go to church...these will all teach you more and better prepare you to be a better husband or wife someday. A failed relationship is still just another failure in my book and God knows how awful failure makes me feel. Plus, i'm sure there are at least a few more failed relationships in my future, I might as well just let them come naturally.

Are people voting for him because of his policies?

I'm glad I finally ran across someone being straight-up about the economy and this election. It was everything I would have loved to sit down and write (but with way more facts backing up his statements) Do yourself a favor and read below. Necessary changes to your mindset should ensue.

http://www.brazencareerist.com/2008/10/08/the-truth-what-obama-and-mccain-won039t-tell-you-about-the-economy

First off, this isn't an observation, but I am watching the Project Runway Finale. Take from it what you please.

I made some observations the other day that i've been thinking about. The first one was when I was leaving the gym. I was walking to my car and some guy was walking towards the entrance and he pulled chapstick out of his and started to apply it. My first thought was, "That guy is probably gay." Seriously? I wondered why I thought that. I mean I use a little Burt's Bees daily. But then I realized that I always keep it in my car, unless I accidentally forget it in my pocket. And I always put it on in my car. hmm....

And when I was in Vons tonight, I saw some guy shopping and my immediate thought was, "Lets just say, i wouldn't trust my kids with that guy." (as if I was actually talking to somebody else) But the truth is, I wouldn't. He just had something about him. Just some observations, I thought were funny. Kinda sucks that I would assume those things without even knowing those guys, but it still makes me giggle a little.

Oh and by the way, I guessed Leanne would win and she did. I didn't even watch the show. I guess I just have an eye for fashion.

Tim Brown believes the Raiders can be good again -- wait, don't call him crazy yet. He thinks the Raiders can be good if Al Davis lets someone else make some decisions.

Brown let it be known yesterday in a radio interview with KHTK 1140 that he'd be willing to help Al out. Via the Raiders Blog at the Sacramento Bee:

"This is a place that can be turned around very easily," Brown said. "As much as people love Al, there's going to have to be somebody else there, I believe."

"As much as you can defend them certainly there are certain things that are indefensible," Brown said. "...Right now the perception of the Raiders is not good and that's what's so bad because it is a great organization. It's done great things in the NFL and for people to be anyway thinking the Raiders are just a laughing stock of the league, it hurts me. It really hurts me to the core. I really wish there was something I could do on a day-to-day basis to help that situation out."

Admirable, but not at all surprising from Tim Brown, who, despite being a Raider, was a class act throughout his career. It's good to see ex-players feel that kind of loyalty to an organization. I hope Davis does give him a chance to lend his expertise.

Along those same loyalty lines, Brown also had some stinging comments about former Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon, who recently called the Raiders organization "dysfunctional." From the Raiders Blog again:

Brown said if not for his intervening at times, Gannon would have had to fight his own teammates because of his attitude toward the organization.

"Gannon knows he came there with that 'I hate the Raiders' type mentality," Brown said. "He came in with that and showed that to all the players. And Gannon wasn't a very well- liked player his whole time with the Raiders. In fact he was downright hated."

So we can assume then that Rich Gannon will not be helping out with turning the Raiders around? Gotcha.


Borrowed from here: http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner?author=MJD

I want to organize my postings into specific categories, yet I do not know how to set that format up. Can someone help with this?

My blogs are pretty simple and usually fall under one of 6 categories: Sports, Love/Relationships, Business/Career stuff, my relationship with God, Current Events, or just completely random thoughts that pop in to my mind. Oh yeah, and I also do enjoy posting lyrics from songs that say everything I am feeling, without me actually having to say a word...but i've purposefully tried not to do that as much.

I also haven't posted anything on "love" since i've been on blogger. More than anything, I really enjoy writing my thoughts out on love and relationships. I just think its extremely interesting how it all works and how powerful the feelings of true love can be. There are incredible extremes to love and in relationships and I just like to put my perspective out there for others to ponder or even disagree with me on. The best part of discussing the subject, thinking about it on my own, and struggling with Love in general, is that ultimately all of it is improving me as a person, in order to be a better husband for my future wife someday...even though I probably haven't met her yet. But I guess that can just be considered my gift to her :)

I'm sure i'll have something that can be put into the Love category soon.

Here's a little tidbit of insight on my life today so far...

1. I literally got 0 seconds of sleep last night because of a presentation I was working on.

2. I'm wearing a Cardigan today. And a V-Neck. Its like a double dose of classiness.

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/lindsay-vanguard-says-2184545-students-became?referrer=facebook

I just heard Colbie Caillat's cover of "Kiss The Girl" from "The Little Mermaid" and I like it.

Whatever dude. See for yourself.

"Kiss The Girl"


Dang, I hope this song plays in my head next time its about to go down.

Not Bad.


(Could've done without being hunted by Cougars though.)

But for the love of God, please be informed. (my two cents)