R_V's 2007 year in review

I've probably said it already, but 2007 has been one heck of a roller coaster year for me. Being laid off from my job of nearly 8 years (an eternity in the advertising business, where creatives typically change jobs every 18-24 months) was quite a blow, not only financially but to my ego as well. I fully realize it wasn't personal; the agency lost a huge chunk of business and my entire team was laid off together. But it's been rough all the same. As someone who already struggles with self-esteem issues, being expendable was a proverbial kick in the family jewels.

But looking back on this year, I wouldn't change it one bit.

• I've learned to live on WAY less than what I was making before. I still eat well – sometimes a little too well – and have still been able to get occasional new tattoos and spend time doing fun things with friends.


• I've had the chance to network more in the past 8 months than I did in the previous 18 years in this career. I spend way too much time on LinkedIn, but it's gotten me several freelance gigs, so I guess it's not all bad.


• I've been given ample proof that I have way more friends than I ever could have wished for, or believed. It's been a moving, and humbling, experience.


• My health scare from last December has kept me focused this year on what matters. I'm thankful for the fact that I've had excellent health all year, despite enough stress to choke a horse. I'm learning to increasingly let go of the small stuff and keep my attention focused on what's important.


• Lastly, the past few months have given me the opportunity to expand my creative skills to include top-notch interactive design and website creation. The recruiters I've been working for have placed me at a few interactive shops for freelance jobs, first doing the kind of small tasks that one typically throws to freelancers (the crap jobs nobody wants, or has time, to do). But it's given me excellent hands-on experience in the world of Fortune 100 site design. Most recently, I've been given several high-profile assignments and my designs have been chosen over the on-staff creatives as the agency recommends. The creative directors for whom I've been working now make sure to put me in the mix on any big assignment. It's only a matter of time before a big job offer comes through. And now, I'll be in a position to take it without feeling like I'm in over my head (as I was when I interviewed for the big dotcom job back in August).

Looking back on this year, I'm not gonna care a whit about the vast majority of news stories, the candidate wrangling for next year's election, or even how much money I've made. Sure, I'll still fume on here about illegal immigration, jihad idiocy, and politicians' hypocrisy. But that's ultimately not what matters most in my life. I have all I truly need, and for that I'm so grateful: I've got the love of the most incredible woman a guy could want; three intelligent, beautiful, healthy daughters; and more true friends than I've any right to.

In the coming year, I'll be concentrating on a few small, attainable goals:

1. Lose the pounds I put on since Thanksgiving.
2. Get back to where I can knock out 100 pushups at a time.
3. Draw at least one new picture every month.
4. Finish the teaser booklet for my graphic novel (my one regret this year was not accomplishing this yet).

C'mon, 2008! I'm ready for ya!

Bhutto names Bin Laden's killer?

This clip was aired on November 2, 2007. In her discussion of who might be out to kill her, Benazir Bhutto mentions to David Frost the name "Omar Shiekh" (2:14) as the man who murdered Osama bin Laden. Frost didn't not challenge her on it, but the BBC censored the clip.

Has anybody found out more about this? Did she mean to say “Omar Sheikh murdered FOR Osama bin Laden”? Now that she's dead, and Frost never followed up on the statement, it looks like we'll never know.

INTJ again

I'm such a sucker for these things. I love doing self-analysis from time to time to see if my perspective changes (I tested as INTJ back in 2005).

INTJ -The Mastermind You scored 27% I to E, 36% N to S, 66% F to T, and 21% J to P!

You are more introverted than extroverted. You are more intuitive than observant, you are more thinking based than feeling based, and you prefer to have a plan rather than leaving things to chance. Your type is best described by the word "mastermind", which belongs to the larger group called rationals. Only 1% of the population shares your type. You are very strong willed and self-confident. You can hardly rest until you have things settled. You will only adopt ideas and rules if they make sense. You are a great brainstormer and often come up with creative solutions to difficult problems. You are open to new concepts, and often actively seek them out. As a romantic partner, you can be both fascinating yet demanding. You are not apt to express your emotions, leaving your partner wondering where they are with you. You strongly dislike repeating yourself or listening to the disorganized process of sorting through emotional conflicts. You see your own commitments as self-evident and don't see why you need to repeat something already expressed. You have the most difficulty in admitting your vulnerabilities. You feel the most appreciated when your partner admires the quality of your innovations and when they listen respectfully to your ideas and advice. You need plenty of quiet to explore your interests to the depth that gives you satisfaction. Your group summary: rationals (NT) Your type summary: INTJ

My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender: You scored higher than 34% on I to E You scored higher than 39% on N to S You scored higher than 71% on F to T You scored higher than 8% on J to P

Link: The LONG Scientific Personality Test.

And here's now they sum up my personality type:

The Portrait of the Mastermind Rational (iNTj)

Of the four aspects of strategic analysis and definition, it is the contingency planning or entailment organizing role that reaches the highest development in Masterminds. Entailing or contingency planning is not an informative activity, rather it is a directive one in which the planner tells others what to do and in what order to do it. As the organizing capabilities the Masterminds increase so does their inclination to take charge of whatever is going on.

It is in their abilities that Masterminds differ from the other Rationals, while in most of their attitudes they are just like the others. However there is one attitude that sets them apart from other Rationals: they tend to be much more self-confident than the rest, having, for obscure reasons, developed a very strong will. They are rather rare, comprising no more than, say, one percent of the population. Being very judicious, decisions come naturally to them; indeed, they can hardly rest until they have things settled, decided, and set. They are the people who are able to formulate coherent and comprehensive contingency plans, hence contingency organizers or "entailers."

Masterminds will adopt ideas only if they are useful, which is to say if they work efficiently toward accomplishing the Mastermind's well-defined goals. Natural leaders, Masterminds are not at all eager to take command of projects or groups, preferring to stay in the background until others demonstrate their inability to lead. Once in charge, however, Masterminds are the supreme pragmatists, seeing reality as a crucible for refining their strategies for goal-directed action. In a sense, Masterminds approach reality as they would a giant chess board, always seeking strategies that have a high payoff, and always devising contingency plans in case of error or adversity. To the Mastermind, organizational structure and operational procedures are never arbitrary, never set in concrete, but are quite malleable and can be changed, improved, streamlined. In their drive for efficient action, Masterminds are the most open-minded of all the types. No idea is too far-fetched to be entertained-if it is useful. Masterminds are natural brainstormers, always open to new concepts and, in fact, aggressively seeking them. They are also alert to the consequences of applying new ideas or positions. Theories which cannot be made to work are quickly discarded by the Masterminds. On the other hand, Masterminds can be quite ruthless in implementing effective ideas, seldom counting personal cost in terms of time and energy.

General Ulysses S. Grant is an example of Mastermind Rational.

Post-Christmas catch-up

I've been offline for the past several days, enjoying Christmas with family and friends, attending several parties and eating way too much. So now it's time to get back to normal. For the past several months, I've been pretty good about eating right and exercising, but December has been a time of much naughtiness and debauchery and my waistline is beginning to show it. I'm gonna make good use of my time this week to be productive, get caught up on the news and do some posts on here, and also finish a couple drawings I have in progress. I might even begin a new one before I have to go back to work next week.

Clinton says wife a 'world-class genius'?

Huh? *boggle boggle*

Lemme see if I have this right; the woman who dreamed up the Marxist scheme known as Hillarycare is supposedly a world-class genius? Well, she is, according to her husband (who, of course, stands to gain by getting his grubby self back into the White House if the two of them can fool the American people yet again). (h/t: Crush Liberalism)

Former President Clinton says his wife is a "world-class genius" when it comes to improving the lives of others.
[...]
"The reason she ought to be president, over and above her vision and her plans is that she has proven in every position she has ever had in life, whether it was in elected office or not, that she is a world-class genius in making positive changes in other people's lives," he said.

And that would be how? By stealing from the nation's producers to reward those who don't or won't achieve? By making our federal government even bigger? Collectivism and socialism are now hallmarks of genius?

Sheesh.

She's definitely a world-class something, but genius isn't the term I'd use.

Besides, I seem to recall a certain coyote who used to brag similarly about being a “super genius.” With similar qualifications as Her Thighness.

Religion of Peace update: UNICEF’s photo of the year

Absolutely disgusting. (h/t: Michelle Malkin)

The image hardly fits our idea of the happy couple’s wedding picture - but this haunting photograph taken in Afghanistan graphically captures life for millions of girls given in marriage while under age. It shows Mohammed, 40, with his new 11-year-old wife, Ghulam. Taken by US photographer Stephanie Sinclair, it was named Unicef Photo of the Year yesterday.

Some 60 million girls worldwide are married while still under age, according to the children’s rights agency.

I guess we shouldn't be too angry with this guy. After all, he's just following the example set by Islam's prophet, Muhammad, who had his own 9-year-old wife.

Thompson Right On Immigration

I'm still undecided on who to support in '08, but Fred Thompson's position on illegal immigration (and several other issues) has me leaning strongly in his direction so far.

Thompson Says Enforce Immigration Law
CARROLL, Iowa (AP) - Republican Fred Thompson said Thursday there should be few if any exceptions when it comes to enforcing U.S. immigration laws, or the flow of illegal immigrants would continue.

Thompson was responding to a question from a man who told of a friend who is a chicken farmer and has to hire workers from Mexico, hoping they have legal status.
[...]
"It is not good, in my opinion, for our country to start becoming dependent on a constant flow of illegal immigrants that are usually less educated and come here only because they'll work cheaper than somebody else will," he said. "And when and if they were to assimilate into American society, we would need another 11 or 12 million (illegal immigrants), and another 11 or 12 million after that."
[...]
Thompson said the U.S. is capable of making changes to immigration laws that allow employers to meet their work force demands.

"We can address, I think, our needs ... without succumbing to the notion that we have to have a constant flow of illegal immigrants," he said.

When the same man pressed Thompson further to talk about his plan for illegal immigrants already in the country, the former Tennessee senator said he believes the issue will be resolved through "enforcement by attrition."

Thompson proposes cutting off incentives to illegal immigrants. That means keeping employers from hiring them in the first place, and sealing the borders to keep illegal immigrants going back and forth between jobs and family. He said it also means shutting down sanctuary cities and keeping illegal immigrants from getting college and other breaks.

"Over a period of time, I think the situation will reverse itself," he said.

I think they might have meant to say "attrition through enforcement." But however one says it, lookee here:

Crackdown has illegal immigrants leaving Arizona
NOGALES, Sonora - It’s a common scene this time of year: streams of overloaded cars, pickups and vans with U.S. license plates crossing into Mexico for the holidays.
Most are filled with Hispanic families from Arizona and other states on their way to visit relatives south of the border for a few weeks before heading back to the U.S. But this year, the holiday travelers are being joined by scores of families such as Jorge and Liliana Franco, who are driving to Mexico not to visit but to stay - permanently. Congress’ failure to pass comprehensive immigration reform, immigration crackdowns, Arizona’s new employer-sanctions law and a sluggish economy have combined to create a climate families such as the Francos no longer find hospitable.

The number returning to Mexico is difficult to calculate, but there is no question that many families are leaving, according to Mexican government officials, local community leaders and immigrants themselves.

More law enforcement and fewer illegal immigrants in America. Now there's a Christmas gift that keeps on giving.

Tagged for Christmas

Pam tagged me in yesterday's comments. So here goes:

1. Wrapping or gift bags?
Both, but it depends on the shape of the present.

2. Real or artificial tree?
We always had real trees while I was growing up, but now I have a pre-lit artificial that looks pretty real. Easier to take care of and I like the way it looks.

3. When do you put up the tree?
Usually the weekend after Thanksgiving, but no later than two weeks before.

4. When do you take the tree down?
New Year's Day.

5. Do you like eggnog?
Love the taste but avoid it due to the calories.

6. Favorite gift received as a child?
Micronauts. Specifically the Baron Karza figure.

7. Do you have a nativity scene?
Of course. I happen to have the set my parents used all throughout my childhood. It's a cheap little set with plastic figures, but it has a lot of emotional value for me.

8. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
Probably socks. Especially because they were given to me as a Christmas AND birthday combo gift (yes, my birthday is Christmas day).

9. Mail or e-mail Christmas cards?
Email. I'm especially bad about writing cards.

10. Favorite Christmas movie?
It's A Wonderful Life. It's my tradition to watch that on Christmas eve while I wrap the last few presents.

11. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
Oh crap, I better start! Seriously though, I normally start looking after Thanksgiving and don't really get to it until the around second week of December.

12. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
My mother used to make something we called "fried pizzas" which was basically just some homemade pizza dough cooked in a deep fryer and served with homemade sauce, meatballs and sausage.

My other favorite is spritz cookies.

13. Clear lights or colored on the tree?
Clear

14. Favorite Christmas song?
Silent Night
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So to share the love, I tag:

• traci
• Tirya
• Johnathan
• Sainknowitall
• Julia Roy

Here are the rules:

1. Link to the person that tagged you, and post the rules on your blog.
2. Share Christmas facts about yourself.
3. Tag random people at the end of your post, and include links to their blogs.
4. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Midweek Peek, Christmas edition

Adahlia

Religion of Peace update: recruiting kids to become suicide bombers

More sickness from the cult of death: A children’s sing-along DVD sold at a mosque in Britain. And by sing-along, they mean die-along. (h/t: Sweetness and Light)

British children targeted with sing-along DVD for would-be suicide bombers

A children’s sing-along DVD for would-be suicide bombers is being investigated by police after being found on sale in one of Britain’s terrorist hotbeds.

The disturbing disc of music videos - part of an Egyptian-made series [correction, it’s from Hamas’ Al Aqsa TV. – ed.] - shows a young girl singing about following in the footsteps of her suicide bomber mother. A group of self-proclaimed orphans also turn against the West over the plight of the Palestinian people.

The shocking DVD was purchased in Bradford, West Yorks, and full details of the Leeds-based UK distributors are contained on the back of the cover. The West Yorkshire Police specialist counter terrorism unit are investigating the contents - which contain three tracks sung by children in Arabic with English subtitles.

The first song is about two children who lose their mother when she becomes a suicide bomber.

The song is believed to be a reference to Reem al-Reyashi, a 22-year-old Palestinian mother-of-two who blew herself up on January 14, 2004, at a crossing, in the Gaza Strip, killing four Israelis.

The video begins with an Arab woman playing with her two children, then leaving her home with dynamite tucked in her dress, blowing herself up after being challenged by uniformed soldiers, and her children and husband finding out about her death on TV.

After finding out about the suicide on television, her small daughter finds a stick of dynamite in her mother’s wardrobe and turns to the camera with the subtitles: “My love will not be by words. I will follow my mother’s steps.”

Why the 2nd Amendment matters in the 2008 election

Gun confiscation. It's not just for communists anymore.

Citizen Soldier - cool vid for Natl Guard

I already liked the music of 3 Doors Down, but after seeing the video done to honor the National Guard, I like 'em even more. Hats off to the folks to created this moving tribute to our "citizen soldiers."

The Dark Knight official trailer!

Went to see "I Am Legend" and enjoyed it. But the trailer for the next Batman movie – The Dark Knight – absolutely floored me! I'm not a big Heath Ledger fan, but I gotta admit he looks pretty creepy as the new Joker. Here's hoping...
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UPDATE: Looks like WB pulled the trailer earlier today, but it's popped back up so I'm relinking it. Enjoy.
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UPDATE: You can see a high-res version of the trailer here and shots of the new Batpod (the motorcycle, not the MP3 player) here.

Another socialist Kos-tard demonstrates why I despise the far left.

When Hillary Clinton uttered her now-famous "I want to take those profits" Marxist harangue, she was demonstrating the worst of Democrat philosophy: you don't deserve to keep your money, I know better what to do with it and will use the government to forceably take it from you.

A similar screed was posted this week on a Daily Kos blog, further affirming in my mind the derangement of the socialist base within the Democrat party. (h/t: Gone Mild)

We've reached the point where Republican voters can claim the philosophy of absolute greed.

"I make a great deal of money through my own hard work. I don't want to pay for someone else's child to eat breakfast at school anymore."

Get that? She makes not just enough money, but a "great deal of money." How dare anyone take it away for something so frivolous as feeding a poor child? And yet Republicans, through their actions in blurring the lines between church and state, have become the "party of faith." Because they say so. Because they are bold in their actions and snarling in their defense.

We need to be just as adamant. We need to not hide behind any abstraction or evasion. We need to be unafraid to address this voter and say "I am going to take some of your money, and give it to that poor kid, because it's more important -- both to the child and to society -- that he eat, rather than that you have an extra week in Cabo."

Note that we should not pretend that "a program will take your money." Or "the government will take your money." This is a democracy, and we are the government. I will take your money. I will. Some of that money you worked hard for and want to keep. I will give it to a kid who is hungry. If your concern is that poverty should be addressed by individuals, then there's a simple solution: feed him. If there are no poor children needing food, I won't have to take anything for them. If your position is that people would be more generous if only the government would stay out of it, then sorry. I'm not willing to put this child at risk to as part of your experiment. Besides, if that were true, then why were their more hungry kids before we started these programs to give them a little breakfast? If your position is that your being able to keep all your money is more important than a child being fed, then I simply think you're wrong. And sick. You want to keep that money? You better beat me at the polls.

Such absurdity and arrogance! Not only does this devilstower idiot believe we live in a democracy (read Essay #10 of James Madison's Federalist Papers; we live in a republic), he believes he has the right to play Robin Hood with other people's money, using the government as his larcenous enforcer. Last I checked, there was plenty of room for people like this in China, North Korea, Cuba, and Venezuela. Good riddance. Don't try to force Communism on me or my country, just take your sorry ass to somewhere else that failed doctrine is already in practice.

"Democracy is the pathetic belief in the collective wisdom of individual ignorance." - H.L. Mencken

A different method of candidate selection

I can't believe it's almost 2008. So far, I've ignored the majority of the candidate wrangling. I do confess to skimming through the Dem and Repub debates occasionally, but can't force myself to sit through each one, as they seem to be staged and full of phony pre-written soundbite answers. But seeing as how the election year is nearly upon us, it will soon be time to figure out a candidate to support. And since nobody has clearly defined themselves in my mind yet, I thought I'd do a bit of digging into the issues to see where the candidates might match my views.

OnTheIssues.org has a new VoteMatch Quiz, where you can select a set of candidates, then answer a series of 20 questions which will compare your answers with their stated views. Each question features a clickable link which takes you to an additional page where you can get more information on the details of each position to help you know exactly where you stand on each of the key issues. For example, on abortion:

• Strongly Support means you believe: Abortion is a private decision between a woman and her doctor. You believe in the `Right to Choose' and are strongly pro-choice. The right to abortion empowers women and is an important part of women's health rights and women's reproductive freedom. That right includes the right to a government subsidy for poor women who want an abortion.
  
• Support means you believe: Restricting `Partial-Birth Abortions' or other specific procedures is reasonable, but clinic access should be unfettered, since other women may choose differently than you. You are pro-choice, but believe that some restrictions are acceptable.
  
• Oppose means you believe: The fetus is a human being who has rights independent of its mother's rights. You are "pro-life." While abortion under certain circumstances might be tolerated, the basic rights belong to the fetus, not the mother.
  
• Strongly Oppose means you believe: Abortion is immoral because it kills a human being, and should never be tolerated. `Roe v. Wade' should be overturned and we should protest abortion clinics as other forms of injustice are protested.
  

This question is looking for your views on abortion rights in general. However you answer the above question would be similar to your response to these statements:

• Uphold Roe v. Wade
  
• No Litmus Test for nominees
  
• Enforce Clinic Access laws
  
• Oppose Strict Constructionist judges
  

There's a lot more there than what I quoted above, but you get the picture. After you finish the quiz, you can see how each candidate – Democrat and Republican – rates as compared with your answers. To me, it's an easier way to get one's head wrapped around next year's choices without automatically picking someone based on party or knee-jerk propaganda.

Pearl Harbor Day

"...December 7, 1941—a date which will live in infamy—the United States of American was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan."

It was 66 years ago today. In two hours, Japan's sneak attack killed 2,350 American soldiers along with 68 civilians and wounded 1,178 more, destroyed 188 American aircraft, and sank 18 ships. More about the attack here and here.

Japan's violent hostilities drew America into World War 2. Luckily for us, and through the bravery, resolve and constant self-sacrifice of what we now call "The Greatest Generation," the world was spared from tyranny.

Never forget.
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UPDATE: Jenn of the Jungle makes an appropriate comparison between the attack on Pearl Harbor and the attacks on Sept 11, 2001.

I WILL NEVER FORGET, NOT DECEMBER 7TH 1941; NOR SEPTEMBER 11TH 2001. I will never forget those who seek to bring about the end of my great nation and the people within. I will never forget the brave men and woman who gave their lives in 1941 and now, fighting evil in the extreme to keep safe this very precious country I love so dearly. Those who are making the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom.

A quick look at the Google homepage shows nothing but a rainbow Google sign, no remembrance of that day of infamy. No flag. No honor. Google and those who work for them, they have forgotten. Newspapers around the country have forgotten. CNN they have forgotten, MSNBC, they too have forgotten. Not shockingly FoxNews, has NOT forgotten.

Even better, there's a creative re-interpretation of FDR's famous speech. Definitely worth the read.

Web 2.5 Thunderdome!

This has been a busy week for yours truly.

I've been continuing my freelance gig with a prominent interactive agency, and was allowed to contribute some layouts for microsite assignment. Up until now, I've been used simply as a resource to crank out the "grunt work" that other art directors either didn't want to do, or didn't have time to do: multiple revisions on existing work. It's boring and often repetitive, not to mention that it's not terribly creative to simply make changes to something that's been created by someone else. But it's the nature of being a freelancer.

Luckily, that's not the case this week.

As luck would have it, two of my designs were chosen internally to present to the client, and subsequently one of them was picked by the client to move forward into development! Yay me.

Now I'm being allowed to create a design for a huge site overhaul. I can't disclose the client, but suffice it to say that it's a HUGE international brand. The internal team here bonked on their first round. And since my design sailed through on the microsite, they're giving me a crack at the big enchilada.

If that weren't cool enough, I'm being allowed to sit in on some brainstorming sessions involving Google's Android Developer Challenge, creating some next-gen technology ideas.

I'll have some more bloggy goodness on this week's events in the news (Romney's speech and the Nebraska mall shooting) after I get my game face on and bust out something awesome.

Blast from the past: Crest Gel vs. The Cavity Creeps

"We make holes in teeth, we make holes in teeth!"

Anybody remember this from Saturday mornings? (circa 1976)

Religion of Peace Update: Radical Islam vs. The Spanish Inquisition and the KKK

Some interesting facts for the moral equivalence crowd, courtesty of The Religion of Peace.

More people are killed by Islamists each year than in all 350 years of the Spanish Inquisition combined. (source)

More civilians were killed by Muslim extremists in two hours on September 11th than in the 36 years of sectarian conflict in Northern Ireland. (source)

Islamic terrorists murder more people every day than the Ku Klux Klan has in the last 50 years. (source)

19 Muslim hijackers killed more innocents in two hours on September 11th than the number of American criminals executed in the last 65 years. (source)

What now, Rosie?