A Bowl of Stupid

I was just thinking it may be about time for me to go back to the States for a visit.

Yeah, not so much.

After resting and taking a few laps in the pool on Monday, I woke up today by visiting some of my regular online sources for news and entertainment — at which time, I was treated to even more good news.

First and foremost, I saw that finally, FINALLY, saner heads are prevailing down at Gitmo, where on Monday, military judges dismissed charges Monday against 2 Guantanamo detainees. In particular, the courts ruled that, in direct contradiction to the ever illogical position of the Bush Administration, the detainees are “not subject to this commission” under legislation passed by Congress and signed by Bush last year. Thank fucking god. Maybe this signals the first of many steps for the U.S. government to regain whats left of its dignity.

Second, I saw that there is indeed still hope that the upcoming Transformers live action movie may indeed be worth seeing (shit, I knew there was a reason I put them at the top of my MySpace friends list). If the rest of the movie has effects like this stuff, I may even be able to cleanse my mind of the crappy-CGI cryfest that was Spiderman 3.

And finally, there seems to be hope — finally — that we can all live longer, healthier lives with this great new “skin” tightening product (if the advert itself doesn’t completely offend you).

I got my new camera today.

I’ve never been all that into taking pictures and, as such, it’s my very first digital camera.

However, I thought it necessary to finally get one to use for my travels to Singapore, Indo and all parts East.

I also figured this picture of my Jeep Wrangler is the most appropriate photo with which I should start my upcoming photo journal.

Why?

Miami to Phoenix. Two and one-half days. And hauling a 2500 pound trailer. Nuff said.

Man, ya’ gotta love Jeeps.

I count myself as always having been very fortunate, but never having been extremely lucky.

I’ve had a relatively gifted life, with good friends, a great family, and I’ve got my health.

But still, I’ve never had just absolutely great luck.

I’ve never won the lottery. I’ve never gained fame or fortune, nor have I ever stumbled upon a suitcase full of unmarked money (at least that’s what I said during the sworn deposition … and I’m sticking by that story until I get to Indo).

That’s why, when I hit an oil gusher this weekend, while still very lucky, it was not that huge of a godsend.

A valve blew up on my Jeep over the weekend, sending engine oil everywhere.

The good news, obviously, is that said oil-valve waited for 3 days until after I drove the Jeep cross-country before exploding oil everywhere, bless her stainless-steel heart.

The bad news, obviously, it that my kinfolk need not tell me that Californi-ae is the place I ought to be, with all the other rich oil barrons.

The Jeep is okay. And I got to spend the last 1.5 days rebuilding the Jeep’s engine (I’ll not bore you with details) with my college roomate. I actually enjoyed it tremendously.

Oh well, such is life.

Maybe I’ll have better luck next time if I get a hunting dog.