Big Evil's blog: "Ravings of a madman"

Wow, after years of genocide and 2 years of being in my awareness, President Bush finally woke up and realized something wasn't right in Darfur. Being as I don't always watch the news, I think I'm a "johnny-come-lately" to Darfur awareness, but President Assclown takes the cake. Well, what could have spawned this? Did Dubya finally learn to read and actually read a newspaper? Could it be the loud protests that have been going on for the past few years? Or could it be he needs a distraction from the fact he has bungled up Iraq so badly?
Hmm, I tend to think it's the last choice. I mean, after all, he stormed straight into Baghdad without paying attention to our flanks, and under false pretenses at that of WMD's and Al-Qeada ties that didn't exist. Now he spouts his own living in denial of the civil war there. Oh wait, I mean "Sectarian Violence". That way we don't have to admit it's a civil war! Just like we had "sectarian violence" between the Union and the Confederacy, right? Call it what you will, a civil war is a civil war.
I have to wonder what his next brilliant discovery will be:

1. "Gas prices are getting kinda high."

2. "Maybe the levees in New Orleans need to be rebuilt stronger."

3. "I found out that these huge lizards, dinosaurs, once wandered the earth."

4. "We're working hard on that. We work saturdays."

The Condor's season ended with somewhat of a whimper, dropping two home games against the Idaho Steelheads, but we have at least clinched a playoff spot and are getting ready for the postseason for the 3rd year in a row.

Unfortunately, the Steelheads had 7 men on the ice both wednesday and friday, with the 7th man wearing a striped jersey (Ref you suck!!). Inconsistent and poor penalty calling, and what appeared to be a bias against us, were major contributing factors in our two home losses. As close as both games were, if the refs had done a better job, we probably would have won at least one, if not both, games.

Playoffs begin April 10th, and it looks like we'll be facing Fresno in the first round, although Victoria may also be our first opponent.Either way, we have the first 2 games at home and the postseason should be very exciting. Whether we play Fresno or Victoria, I'm sure we'll advance to the next round.

As long as the refs call a consistent and even game.

REF YOU SUCK! REF YOU SUCK! REF YOU SUCK!

Wow, what a great race! Tony Stewart and Kurt Busch led most of the race until they tangled and wrecked. Dale Jr. was up and down along with his teammate, Martin Truex. Dave Gillaland, the star rookie, started on the pole, went 1 lap down, and fought back to 4th with 5 laps to go.

The big story of the day was Mark Martin. After a caution late in the race, Mark Martin took the lead. Mark Martin's career of 26 years has been incredible. He is the quiet man, a class act, great driver, and always consistent. Finishing in the top 10 in season points almost every year, he's never won a championship or a Daytona 500. My driver loyalties went out the window as I cheered Martin on. A wreck caused a red flag, leading to a green/white/checker finish. Coming off turn 4, Harvick got a run and pulled alongside Martin on the outside. Kyle Busch started wrecking behind them as Martin and Harvick had a drag race to the finish. As cars piled up in the tri-oval (Clint Bowyer crossed the finish line on his roof!), Harvick beat martin by a nose (.002 seconds). So close and yet such a disappointment for Martin. Having started the season so well, will Mark Martin change his mind to run a full schedule and have one last try at the Nextel Cup? We can only hope!

I had ground beef defrosted and salad suff that would go bad if I didn't eat it, so I came up with this: Scraps Florentine 1/2 lb lean ground beef 1/2 cup of sliced mushrooms 1/4 cup diced bermuda onion good handful of spinach 3/4 cup grated extra sharp cheddar cheese pinch of basil* Brown ground beef just until pink is gone. Drain. Reduce heat to medium, and add mushrooms and onion and continue browning until mushrooms just start going soft. Add pinch of basil and spinach, and continue browning until spinach starts going soft. Add cheddar cheese and stir until melted and blended. Serves 1 Alternatives: 1. For a zestier meal, add a pinch of Mrs. Dash and a pinch of garlic powder instead of basil. 2. Or add a pinch of lemon pepper instead of basil. 3. Serve on a bed of white egg noodles or rices (serves 2) 4. Add a dash of red wine to "classy it up". I was pleasantly surprised with the result and didn't have to throw any food out. :)

After watching the events surrounding Hurricane Katrina, I made a resolution that following New Years that I would commit at least one compassionate act a day. I have kept that resolution and in the past year I have noticed something rather amazing. My awareness has increased.

A funny thing, this awareness. From reading various books on spirituality and transpersonal psychology, it seemed that awareness was some great mystical art. I wondered if I would ever achieve any level of awareness. It seemed to be the bailiwick of yogis and Tibetan monks, something the average person would most likely not achieve.

My surprise was great upon discovering just how easy it is. Compassionate and kind acts do not have to be magnanimous. The Bible says "Do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing." Compassionate acts can be something as simple as holding an elevator door when you see someone approaching, or letting someone turn off a side street in front of you during heavy rush hour traffic. What are these few extra seconds in a lifetime of years. In just a year, such acts are now second nature. But in order to do such acts, you must be aware. Incredibly enough, in order to be aware, you must do such acts as well.

Awareness is not some great enlightenment unto itself, but a simple mode of being. In order to let someone cut in front of me during rush hour, I had to see the waiting vehicle on the side street. I had to be aware of the opportunity to do something kind. As this has become a new modality of right action, I see much more, and experience much more, of the world around me. I am more aware. I notice simple things such as birds in the trees, the sparkling wonder of the stars, the vivid colors of a sunset. Once you start, it is like a creek, that widens into a stream, that widens into a river, eventually emptying into the ocean of the universe. All it took was the deliberate act of looking for an opportunity to show kindness and compassion.

So look for the vehicle trapped on a side street. Look for the person running towards the elevator. Look for the person trying to get their cart past yours in the supermarket aisle. Smile, commit your act, and awareness will follow. Awareness, it's easier than you think.