It seems as though the majority of things in life fall far below expectations. Whenever I get really excited about something I hype it in my mind. My anticipation grows and grows until that event occurs. When the event actually occurs I find that it wasn't quite as amazing as I thought it would be. Recently, the reverse situation has occurred. The new album by Brand New, "God and the Devil are Raging Inside Me" is absolutely incredible. Whenever I hear that a band that I enjoy is going in an experimental direction I get really nervous. This usually means that the new album is going to suck. Brand New's album is entirely different. This third album is truly the manifestation of the evolution of this music group. On their first album YFW, Brand New was a really good punk band with nothing more. Their follow-up 2003's Deja Entendu, Brand New showed the growth that had taken place. Both lyrically and musically this album was leaps and bounds beyond their previous album. Instead of simple punk with simple lyrical about breaking up this album had incredibly depth. G&D Raging takes this to a whole new level. Lyrically, it is a masterpiece including artfully placed quoting of Rudyard Kipling. Musically, it is no slouch either bringing a wide range of sounds together in a beautiful amalgamation of gorgeous harmony and discord. In a life where only my family doesn't disappoint I can now add Brand New to those who have received immunity from doubt.

Disneyland is a marvel of marketing and presentation. On one hand, I know that there is not anything inherently good about Disneyland. It is a giant money-making machine that is looking to siphon every dolar out of its patron's pockets. On the other hand, there is something fantastic going on in Anaheim. There seems to be something in the water that makes the world seem a little better. I don't know if it is the cleanliness, the abundance of children, or maybe it is the memories associated with all things Disny. Whatever it is, I love it. Mr. Toad's Wild Ride was up to par just as I had hoped. Space mountain was far more magnificent that I had hoped, etc, etc. In the end, it was one of those scenarios where you know you are getting taken for a ride, but it is so much fun it just doesn't matter. God Bless Walt Disney.

As I am thinking about my last post I realize deception is not an idea that exclusive to the Jews. I have been looking at pictures of the barrier wall, and I realize neither side is giving full information. I hate this. Like the sayings goes, "Just the facts ma'am."

My Israeli-Arab conflict class is causing to examine some of my feelings towards the situation. Growing up I always felt that the Jews were persecuted by the surrounding Arab nations and the land of Israel belonged to them. It was their Zion, and they are God's chosen people. I even remember my mother telling me that all those who fought against Israel would be smitten down by God. I interpreted this to me that there would be a physical war and all nations that were not on the same side as the nation of Israel would be destroyed. Now, I am starting to re-examine some of these ideas. I still believe that God chose Israel(However, I don't completely understand everything in the Old Testament and what exactly a chosen people means.) , but I also believe that God loves his Palestinian children just as much as he loves the Jews. I think that Israel certainly has a right to exist. I understand that they have a need for security, something which is challenged almost on a daily basis. However, I think that they mistreat the Palestinian people, create unfair economic barriers to trade, and support corrupt regimes if it benefits them. They give undue favor to special interests such as the settlers just like the United States. All these things make it difficult for me to completely support their cause. However, the thing that really bothers me is that I feel as though they have tricked me. I feel like they have not presented an accurate representation of the facts. For example, I thought the barrier wall was a border to protect Israel proper from the terrorists in the West bank. The truth is that it winds in and out of the West Bank. This not only compromises Israeli security but also further degrades the Palestinians. Perhaps, I am wrong about all this, but I really do feel tricked.

I think that I love beginning sentences with "I". This is probably a manifestation of my ego.

I really hate it when you are expecting someone to call, but they never call. This is especially painful when the person you expect to call is a girl. I don't know if they didn't call because they never want to talk to you or for some other legitimate reason. This problem is especially present in the early stages of association with a person. I want to be persistent, but I do not want to come across as a stalker.
In a non-related item I just cannot figure out how to use comma and other punctuation. I think I am a reasonably intelligent person but punctuation is incredibly hard. Perhaps, there is no hope.

I am surprised at how hard I have taken the loss of the House and Senate by the Republicans. Prior to the election my affinity and loyalty to the Republican party was at an all-time low. I felt like they were a corrupt, free spending bunch with limited connection to reality. In fact, I did not vote for Orrin Hatch for this reason. ( Although I wonder how free I would have been with my vote if I thought Ashdown might have won.) In spite of all this when I sees future speaker Pelosi and Senate President Reid and hear of their proposed policies I feel awful. It may be that like the Yankees, Lakers, and Cowboys my hate is stronger than my support for any team. I typically would rather see the Yankees lose than my own team the Cubs win. This is twisted, but true. I guess I don't really like the Republicans. I am just appalled by the Democrats, who in my mind, have all the failings of the GOP with none of the upside.