It's What Brings Us Together, Today

I consider myself unattached to any side of the political spectrum, and usually avoid writing about it. It's mainly because both sides are extremists for the most part. If anything, I'm a centralist. There's good and bad to each side, and I try to be objective and find what would be good as a whole. Sometimes that means agreeing with a Democratic idea, other times it's siding with the Republican point of view. That said, today's a good day. People who've been fighting for their rights, won. It shouldn't be a surprise to anyone that this happened and if it is, well, we all know you live under a rock now, so your secret's out. 36 of the 50 states have already legalized marriage for homosexual couples. It's not hard to see the writing on the wall that this was going to be passed. 

What's hard to see for me, is how people are upset that this is defaming marriage for straight folks, and impeding on their rights. How? How is this damaging anything you do on a daily basis? If you're straight and already married with tax benefits and all the perks of putting a ring on it, congratulations, you're already taken care of. You're still going to get what you've always gotten, and your life isn't going to be affected by some dude tying the knot to another guy. 

I grew up in Bakersfield, California. A little red island in a sea of California blue. I've been around hearing how bad and terrible this is, because this town is vastly conservative Republican. Fun fact, Bakersfield's considered the Bible Belt of California. So it goes without saying that a lot of people are mad about this happening. In a 2000 vote, 80% of the town voted against gay marriage. I guess this is the centralist in me, but I can't help to ask: "why?" 

Why rebuke this? Church and state should be separated anyway, but that's another discussion. Here's my argument. God to one means Jesus' dad who resides in Heaven, created the world, and sent his son to die for our sins. But to another, God means Alah, who gave Mohommad the Koran, and gives away virgins in the afterlife to those who follow out his will. Yet, to another, God is a couple dozen different Buddha's, all meaning different things. 

All of them have the same name, and a different meaning  to each person who chooses to believe whatever they believe in. I don't hear Christians making a huge to-do that Buddha isn't the 'true God'. I think because they believe it's not, and then they go about worshipping their own Lord. 

So why make a huge to do about someone who probably doesn't believe what you do, and defines it differently? Where's the harm in letting someone be themselves, and you work on being a positive, caring influence in their life? There's so many words in the dictionary that hold multiple meanings. Nothing is truly singular to one specific definition. 

 So, if you're Christian and don't believe in gay marriage, fine. That's your belief and no one can tell you you're wrong. But for those that agree with it and see it differently, that's their belief and you can't tell them they're wrong either. Now that the country holds a majority vote for this and not against it, it's time to hold some class, accept the fact that this is the change our country is making, and roll on with your life. No one is hurting you by flying a rainbow flag from a house just like you aren't hurting anyone by playing Kutless and having a fish or cross on the back of your car. How many non Christians have come up to a Christian and said "your stickers bug me. You need to stop it."? Maybe, just maybe, it's because they don't care. They know you're religious. They know you believe something they don't and that's okay. Why not return the favor and let them be? If you think it's offensive and wrong, that's your thought. Someone else may think you're offensive and wrong. What truly matters in moments of difference like this, is how respectfully you can agree to disagree, and learn to love your neighbor as you love yourself. That goes for anyone of any race, of any orientation, of any religion. The world will be a far better place should you choose to do at least try to do that. 

Satan's Little Beauties

Now that school is over, and I can actually breathe a little, I'm going to try and blog more. Not really about anything specific, just stuff that comes to mind and I want to elaborate on.

So, this morning, like most mornings, I'm a part of a really awesome group chat with some awesome guys. Think of it as The View for men, but better and less obnoxious. Today, we somehow came up to the topic of spiders and whether or not to kill them or let them live. I mean, these are the eight legged freaks with fangs. These little creeps crawl around, killing off bugs with their webs and suck the life out of them so they can live. Some of us want to kill them mercilessly, others are willing to save them and set them outside, free to live from the perils of flyswatters and shoes coming down on them at any given time. 

Personally, I'm terrified of not just spiders, but also scorpions. I mean, let's be honest, they're evil. What good can come from eight legged, venom filled creatures? Or an armored bug with crab claws and a tail ready and aimed to kill at any given time? Sure, they benefit the downfall of other bugs, which I guess is cool, but really. They're evil. They look evil. They act evil. They just. are. evil. 

But then it spun into a fun little concept that I couldn't stop giggling about. What if God let Satan design some creatures? I mean, let's be honest, they aren't the prettiest of creatures, and all they do is sting and bite. So what if there was a conversation before Lucifer went all 'I'm going to be the next God' on God that kickstarted his kicking-out of Heaven? Let's think about how that could have gone down...

God: What now, Lucifer? 

Lucifer: God, I've got some ideas. You know how you're creating all these creatures on that rock you called Earth? Well, I want to jump in on it. You see, there's some things I'd love to see share the planet with your creatures. 

God: Okay, well what do you have in mind?

Lucifer: Okay, hear me out: there's these things called 'bugs', right? You've made caterpillars that turn into butterflies, and y-you've also made bees that pollinate and help the plants. But I've got these two that I think would be awesome to see! Check this out: the first one, will have a two part body, but on each side, it'll have four legs, so it can scurry around really fast. But, but, it'll also poop out this white string stuff, and it'll spin its 'home' between places that are really in the way, that way everyone knows they're around. Even better, to protect itself, some of them will have teeth that can bite anything, and give annoyance to its victims. Cool, right?! 

God: ....so, what's its purpose? 

Lucifer: well, I guess it can eat other bugs, that way it can keep the balance of things in check. But outside of that, nothing really..it's just cool. 

God: I don't like it, but I'll let it pass. 

Lucifer: Oh great! So, here's my second pitch. 

God: Oh goodie. 

Lucifer: So, picture this: imagine a bug that has six or so legs, and a long body, with a this armor on top of it. Give it the snappy claws of a crab, and a tail with a stinger of a hornet, and multiply it by a thousand. Some can be yellow and clear, and blend in with the sand, but the deluxe version will be HUGE and all black. It'll be...the emperor of all of them! It'll have this intense and terrifying name...like...like...scorp-i-on..

God: So you're telling me, you want to create a bug that not only stings everything in its path, but also give it a death grip to squeeze the life out of all my innocent creatures? 

Lucifer: Yup. Exactly. Can I have it like I had the other one? 

God: NOPE. That is far from anything I would ever want on my planet. It serves no purpose but evil, and to kill. It does not help anything and I see only fear, anger and intimidation. I will not have that on my planet. 

Lucifer: Wait a second, so you're telling me, you can create things like a...a platypus. That freaky furry thing with a duck bill, a otter body and a beaver tail, and I can't have my scorpion?! Come on! How fair is that? You even created that short and fat hippo! The only thing it does is have a big mouth! Seriously. You made an animal leathery, gray, and can hinge its jaw at 180º. That's about as good as it gets, God. You really did a great job with some of these things. 

God: Don't question me. Once I got past most birds, dogs and cats, it was hard to get creative. I mean, do you know how much work had to go into figuring out how to make a giraffe? 

Lucifer: That's not my problem. I'm here to help, and I want a scorpion. I want it, and I want it NOW. 

God: Don't take that tone with me, Lucifer. 

Lucifer: Don't take what tone? This tone? You get all the fun. You make a ball with rock and water and then all these things to run and swim around on it, and all I want is two tiny bugs. Hell, you even made a snake! It's literally a worm with teeth and a mouth. 

God: Now you're just getting rude. 

Lucifer: I don't care. You get all the fun, and all us angels have to do is play harps and sing praise to you for all the cool stuff. We're literally groupies with halos and wings, and I'm sick of it. I want in on this fun, and you're going to let me. 

God: Y'know what...you're right. 

Lucifer: Of course I'm rig-....wait, what'd you say? 

God: You heard me. 

Lucifer: Y-yeah, I...I am right. I'm right. 

God. You sure are. And y'know what? I'm going to give you your two creatures. But there's a catch. 

Lucifer: Okay..I don't even care, I'll take it. 

God: Good. Now you're the king of the earth, and you have to care for your two little bugs, but also, you have to tend for all of mine that I've done.

Lucifer: You sure? I mean, I only wanted to help. I didn't really plan on ruling...

God: Well, you've been acting like a brat as of lately. I've had to deal with not only this, but you ended up sending Gabriel to the hospital the other day, because he believed you when you said everything up here was literally made out of milk and honey. It took the doctor 3 hours to fish out the bolts and shards of metal from his attempt to eat a lamppost.

Lucifer: hehe, yeah that was a good one...

God: *sigh*...yeah, you're out of here.

*POOF* Lucifer's gone.


And kids, that's how Satan became ruler of earth, lurked around the garden of eden and punk'd all of us into being less than holy. All because he was mad at God for screwing him over and trying to teach him a lesson. We're victims of holy collateral damage. 

The Blackjack Birthday: Hailey's Vegas Adventure

I wish I could say I took credit for coming up with going to Vegas for Hailey's 21st birthday, but I can't. It was all her parents' doing. Which was totally cool, because they made the trip what it was.

This is the first sign you know you're leaving Bakersfield

Welcome to nowhere!

Stare down. 

So...Planet Hollywood is pretty rad. 

All green for the birthday girl! 

The Linq's block area is one of my favorite areas. Really feels like the Grove in LA. 

Family! 

St. Patty's day in Vegas is probably one of the funnest things I've done in my short adult life. Also, it was never intended that my father in law and I matched.

Me and my lady <3

We had to sit around and wait for 12:00am to hit so she could order her first drink! Waitress wanted a photo taken to celebrate. 

Mama and daughter. 

First gamble! 

The next set of photos was really fun to try and capture. Hailey had no idea, but I had gotten ahold of our friend Alison, who lives in NorCal, and she was going to be in Vegas at the same time we were, so I surprised Hailey with meeting up with her! Tears were had.

After this....

Shots! This entire trip, Hailey didn't pay for a single drink. 

Next morning..

Birthday girl all dressed up in green! 

Fremont Street! 

This was the first time I've ever been down here, and I must say, it rocked. Didn't have time to go back at night, so I guess we gotta go back. 

Military drill for St. Patricks Day.

Hard to see, but there was a celtic band, too.

Big screen is big.

Only in Vegas will you see a senior citizen in a Borat thong.

And duct tape pasties.

Had lunch here, and..

OHMYGOSH. Easily one of the BEST burgers I've ever had. It was the most tender hamburger, and loaded with a over easy egg, and DUCK bacon. 

DUCK.

BACON.

Bacon is great, but DUCK BACON. COME ON! 

I could get used to a view like this. 

Did I mention St. Patricks Day in Vegas is great?

Birthday Dinner! 

This was shot shortly after dinner at Margaritaville. Hailey landed a balloon had, and Steve and Kristy (family who live in the area) came down to meet up with us! 

Hey look! It's a grown up Yogurtland! ;) 

Old Vegas is still beautiful. 

Couldn't not see this. 

Not World of Color, but man is it beautiful and elegant. 

They were near inseparable. 

There were two ladies who lived in a shoe...

And then the weird dude who sat in one too...

Junebug! 

Bartenders getting in on the St. Patty's Day action with us too. 

Next day before we left, we went out to this place for Kelly to check out some furniture for her company. Never been inside until now, but it's AWESOME. Really cool (but uber expensive) stuff here.

We don't wanna leave! 

Vegas as a grown up is a lot of fun. Next time we want to check out a show or two, and spend more time, but as a first time trip to drink and gamble, it was a total blast. Definitely the best way to kick of Hailey's 21st year of birth. I gotta give major props to my in-laws for planning this, and going all out for Hailey. It was such a great time. Now onto the next time....

A Year Later...

It's been a year of marriage. It's insane how fast 365 days go. Yes, I know all the older couples reading this are scoffing and going "just wait until 10, 15, 25, 45 years of marriage". Also, props to whoever's married for 45 years and reading this. Congrats, you're a minority in your group to be on social media.

Anyways, I'm ecstatic. This past year has been amazing. Starting off with getting married, and honeymooning in New York City and Disneyland, then kicking it off with finding our own little place in the world with our apartment. Traveling, spending time with friends and family, mixed with working full time and overloading on units at school to graduate early, one could say we're more than busy.

Which is why I'm really thankful Hailey planned this anniversary trip. I had no idea what we were going to do until we got there. We spent the weekend at the central coast doing basically nothing. We began the weekend with couples massages and facials, which I have to admit, was amazing. I've never been a guy that's all gung-ho for getting oils and lotions rubbed all over. I'd rather just throw a towel on the beach, put on Jack Johnson and take a nap. But that changed thanks to my wife.

After we did that, we grabbed some lunch, and then went to check into our bed and breakfast, yet another first for me. It's a weird concept to me that someone will renovate a few rooms in their house and then charge people to stay there. But, it was still a lot of fun. We had this room tucked away in the trees with a private patio, and all the amenities any other hotel would have.

Haley's great at planning things. She usually picks out things we haven't done yet, and this was a weekend filled with it. New restaurants, food I haven't tried, and wine tastings! I know, this is long winded, but I'll shut up and just post the photos now.

She's 21! But seriously, she only got carded twice the entire weekend. 

This stuff was goooood. 

Clavo had great wines...but this guy totally stole the show. 

He's apparently the bosses new puppy. Took everything in me not to take this little retriever home with us.

California is one ugly state. I mean, look at this. 

Little town, but lots of fun. 

First dinner, Off The Hook, right on the water. 

After a really good dinner, which I forgot to take pictures of, I grabbed my camera and walked around taking some long exposure shots of the bay. 

Then, drove out to the rock to get the other side of the view! 

Next day, we just did a bunch of hanging out, playing games, and then before dinner, drove out and took some photos. Yay for tripod and self-timer on my camera! 

She makes me look way better than I deserve to look. 

I'll always be her groom, she'll always be my bride. 

Seriously. She's beautiful. 

The hottie with the dork in a button up. 

DOLPHIN! 

Mine?

Yup. Mine. 

Now for dinner at Giancarlo's. Here's the deal. The dude in the middle, he's Giancarlo Cucumo. He's 100% Italian, from Italy. Hailey's aunt married this guy, and we're all thankful for it, because he cooks like a damn god sent from the heavens. 

Pork belly. Never had it until that evening. But now I want it every evening. 

Can't say the same about oysters, however they did taste good. Again, new first for me. 

Butternut Squash raviolis. Sweeter than I thought they'd be. But man were they great. 

Pinwheel ham and cheese pasta...thing. I can't remember the official name of this, but it was probably my favorite. 

Steak, palenta, and a bed of gnocchi pasta. YESPLEASETHANKYOU. 

Family! Darian, me, Hailey, Lauri and Giancarlo. Really really thankful for the meal they gave us for our anniversary. Seriously. If you're ever in Morro Bay, you've GOT to check this place out. It's absolutely stellar.

Also, can't end an anniversary/birthday trip without dessert! 

Tiramisu good. Diabetes bad. Still worth it. 

Bed and breakfast stairs photo. That's the best caption I've got. 

Also, thrift shop/antiquing. New favorite thing to do. Y'know, because you find snoopy phones..

Weird Mickey record players..

And $8.00 buttons you can still get at Disneyland. But hey, I guess paying $8 to say you went over $125 to get in to the parks is worth lying to some..

Driving back home, we had to stop and shoot photos. Y'know, because this isn't Bakersfield and there's actual colors here. 

BAMBI!

So, that was our anniversary trip. We had a lot of fun, and it was really relaxing and much needed after hectic school schedules, work, and the drone of regular life. But now we're back in Bakersfield and saving up for the next excursion. Thanks for reading this far down, I really appreciate it. I know I type a lot, but this is my blog and I do what I want. Until next time, thanks for reading.