North Lake Charles Getting Life Again

I never thought we would see it, but it looks like North Lake Charles may finally be getting some life back into it. I'm a follower of city planning and I try to keep up with that market and when I began looking at the revitalization plans of downtown Lake Charles, I came across a PDF drawing of the plans for the North Lake Charles Riverwalk and Riverfront Parkway. Later on, it was removed from the Lake Charles website, but Idid find it archived so I downloaded the PDF and saved on google docs (gotta love web 2.0). Currently that portion of Enterprise Blvd is under construction where they are trying to develop the parkway which will be extended to Fitzenreiter Road and then to Highway 171, providing an alternate evacuation route as well as a road for business. The road will include bike paths, parks, and drinking fountains. . There are also plans to replace some of the decaying homes with newer ones as well as open up the neighborhood adjacent to the Calcasieu River. Once all is said and done, city officials hope to see real estate and retail along the river front and new road. The plans look great, and years later, I imagine that it would be a great improvement to this city, plus it takes away some of the negative stigma that North Lake Charles currently has. What do lake area residents think about this plan?


https://docs.google.com/open?id=0Bz0t_caOq0NNb0d0MWpjYS00SHc

http://www.jfds.com/portPlanning06.htm

http://www.kplctv.com/story/5142319/north-lake-charles-a-diamond-in-the-rough

http://www.cityoflakecharles.com/egov/apps/document/center.egov?rand=1oldpage=5&oldfDD=7-0&oldaction=&oldid=1&oldpath=browse&oldfCS=&path=detail&id2=189

Stop Mixing Politics and Faith!

This morning, I was awoken out of a sleep so I decided to grab my phone and check out my twitter timeline. I noticed a tweet from an individual who stated that he tried but could not separate his political choice from his faith. Once I clicked on it, I noticed several retweets and a few responses, one in particular [from a woman] stuck out to me b/c the woman stated that this was one of those campaigns that we would have to pray about.

Me being the guy that I am, I decided to respond to him by saying that just because the political candidate that you vote for believes in something against your religion does not mean you are suddenly supporting the belief that they do. If we only voted for someone who supported our faith 100%, nobody would ever vote. That's why I really hate it when ministers, priests, and those who oversee the religious practices of a place of worship try to connect politics and religion. I can understand a christian not voting for an atheist, but to tell someone, "Read the Bible and see who lines up closest to the Bible and vote for that one" is basically telling them who to vote for. They are essentially saying vote for the Republican candidate, even if you are not republican. I voted for Obama this past campaign but I don't have a problem with ppl who voted for McCain, that's their choice. But don't try to make me feel guilty or make me feel like less of a Christian because I did not vote for McCain. I would also like the same respect and rights to vote for who I wish during this campaign.

Recently Obama stated that he supported gay marriage, and now many are saying that they are not sure that they can vote for him. Prior to that it was abortion that he was supporting and ppl did not like that. Now before I get any further let me say something: I do NOT support abortion, but I realize that if it were made illegal, ppl would just be performing them themselves. I say if you absolutely MUST have one, make sure it's a life or death situation. Don't use it as a contraception. I don't buy into the idea that it's "not a life" b/c IMO, once the fetus has a heartbeat and a sense of touch, it is a life! With that being said, I am 100% in support of birth control medications when used correctly (which is why I was offended at the accusation towards Sandra Fluke, that she just wanted to get paid to have sex).

Just because one votes for someone that supports abortion does not mean that suddenly that every individual is going to suddenly support abortion. Likewise with same-sex marriage, just b/c the president supports it does not mean that every state is going to jump on the bandwagon and support it. Obama never once stated that he would demand each state, legalize same sex marriage, so if that's what people are worried about, I say get a grip!

What do you think about Presidential votes? Do you base it on your religion?

POMS

Okay, you know about PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome) that women deal with? Well damn it, I'm dealing with something that I would like to call POMS:Pissed-Off Male Syndrome (or symptoms b/c sometimes there may be more than one sign). Basically, it's those moments when you don't want to talk to anyone, you snap at any given moment, even at your loved ones and you don't give a shit who is offended. You just mad as hell.  That's it in a nutshell. Right now It's the job hunt. I feel like It's three years down the road and I'm doing the same shit that I was doing then. I feel like I'm working a full time job w/ no pay. Professional Job hunting sucks, there is no pay, no rewards, just tiresome bullshit and frustrations when no one responds or when your application is rejected. It's like everyone in my circle is passing me up but I'm expected to cover up my resentment for the sake of being humble. It's not that I don't want anyone to be happy, but fuck man! What about me? It feels like I've busted my ass for seven  years (undergrad and grad school) and all I have to show for it is some student loans and credit debt. It's like my younger brother, cousins, and everyone else (it seems) have passed me up and they are working full time, and yet I cannot pay someone to hire me. Through all of this, would you believe that people still have the audacity to ask me if I want to get my doctorate or go back to school??? Oh also I'm dealing w/ anxiety attacks and intrusive thoughts. I feel like God has abandoned me in many moments and it's to the point that I'm contemplating a spiritual hiatus. Fellas, are you dealing with POMS? Alternative name, POMGD (Pissed-Off Male Gender Disorder).

POMS symptoms include but are not limited to:

1. Constant anger, regardless of the situation

2. Upset about 80%-95% of the time, and it seems that not even doing the things that you love can make you happy or bring you joy

3. You find yourself happier when you are thinking dark thoughts than you do thinking positively.

4. Nobody, not even your best friend can cheer you up.

5. You've reached a point that even prayer does not mean anything to you, in fact just the thought of it makes you want to throw up!

6. When you snap at others and you don't care if they are hurt (for the moment), though you might regret it later

7. You've relied on ranting on Facebook and twitter about the situation

8. You use sites such as Justrage.com to vent and say the shit that you cannot say on general social media networks.

9.You get the thought to throw things across the room regardless of who or what is in the way, even glass!

10.Nothing inspirational helps you, it just makes you angrier and more enraged!

11. You just want to be left alone.

RHONJ Hot Tub Disaster!

Whew! Tonight's episode was quite intense. The majority of this episode is devoted to Teresa's last attempt to reconcile with Caroline Manzo and it seems that Caroline just was not having it. She would not look at her, she barely said a word while Teresa is practically begging and repeating the same thing over and over. It began with Tre having a conversation with Kathy while Caroline was listening from inside. Tre then got up to make the attempt, which did not go so well. Kathy tried to come to the rescue and see where Caroline was coming from, but still tried to stick by her cousin so that she would not feel attacked. Jacqueline, pretty much tuned them out, she said she was done (read her tweets). Melissa sat back, while narrating that Caroline needs to just move on. It was said, you've been mad long enough move on! Joe Guidice admits to the fact that they were paid for those tabloids. The "1/16 Italian" comment was perhaps was perhaps inappropriate, but Teresa could have said and done much worse. She could have committed adultery with Caroline's husband (not gonna happen Im just making a point), she could have made a false rape claim, she could have done so much more. I mean, I understand Caroline's disappointment, but I don't think that comment in a cookbook is a reason to cut someone out of your life. I do find it funny that she had no problem with Teresa when Teresa was flipping tables and calling Danielle a prostitution whore and a stupid bitch, but when it's not cosigning w/ her (Caroline) the deal's off. Anyway, Bravo fans, what do you think? Should Caroline move on or is Teresa still in denial here?

RHONJ Teresa Drama & Amendment Attempts

Okay, this is how you know I'm not like most guys. Most guys I know are not watching Bravo, let alone drama shows that center around women. Thursday I was feverish and had a sore throat all day so I spend much of my time on our recliner in the den watching the Real Housewives of New Jersey. Yea, it was a Marathon that lead up to the final day of the vacation that the housewives took to California.

So far this season, we've seen Teresa go from hot to cold off and on. She's been a bitch for much of first half of the season, thus we can see where all this tension was coming from during the last reunion because around the time of that reunion (the one that Jacqueline was apparently too distraught to attend) they were filming the current season. Many felt that Teresa was being ganged up on even by Andy, but I did not feel bad for here in the reunion b/c I felt like it was karma coming back to get her (do we need to go into how she treated Danielle during the season 2 reunion?). It seemed at the beginning of this season Teresa and Melissa bumped heads because Teresa's obsession with Joe Gorga (her brother). Tre misses when her brother was at her house daily and had dinner with her more often, but she needs to understand that he is married with children now.  I did not like how she suggested that Melissa would cheat if a guy with more money came by. She seems sincere in her love for Teresa's brother, but I do wish she would put the microphone done. Caroline is still upset about what was said in the book.

Fast forward, a few episodes, we see her trying to make [family] amends all while her and Jacqueline have a falling out. Teresa and her brother ultimately agree to therapy, however Teresa being the delusional woman that she is, she goes into the office stating that there was nothing wrong with her and that it was all her brother's problems, however the brother states that he is trying, but at the same time, Teresa is not his only family anymore. At Teresa's book signing, Kathy made some comments about her mom's deserts in the Teresa took offense too. NEWSFLASH: Teresa, they may be your mom's recipes, but that does not mean that your mom and Kathy did not share the recipe and often make the same baked goods, give it a rest!

Going on to the vacation now, Teresa is still trying to make amends, however she keeps bringing the damn cookbook event up with Kathy and all the while Caroline who I think is just as bitter as they come narrates the entire marathon like it's a Godfather movie. I've always had this problem w/ her, she's so dramatic, as if she's in a Mafia movie of some sort. Hun, nobody cares that you hold on to your words and draw them out longer than they need to be, it's not that impressive! Much of her narrations have to do with Teresa, making accusations that the conversations are taking to long, and she's worried that Jacqueline is going to be hurt, even when Kathy was doing Caroline's hair, it was just another way for her to talk about Teresa. For someone whom she's supposedly gotten out of her life, she sure does talk about her quite a bit. Speaking of that, I do find it odd that you want to get her out of your life now, but you were siding with her when she was treating Danielle like a dog. Now that Danielle is not on the show anymore, she just needs someone else she can bash or cut lose. She needs to focus more on making amends with her sister than she does bashing Teresa so much. It seems that no matter what Teresa is doing, Caroline criticizes it.

With that being said, Teresa does need to own up to her wrong as well. It's like she can't stand to see anyone else happy. She throws accusations out but when it comes back to haunt her she runs away. She talks about everyone but yet she can't take it back. She is a deluded individual, she lies to herself until she believes her lies. I don't doubt her sincerity is wanting to make amends with her brother, sister-in-law and her cousin, but I do question her mindset. Why does she think she's totally innocent in this? She does seem to want nobody to succeed but her. Even with that, I could not help but feel terrible for where when her husband called her a bitch and a cunt and rejects her advances later on. He treats her like crap (we get to see this throughout the season). One thing I can agree with Caroline about is the divorce coming between Teresa and Joe Guidice soon. And a well needed on at that.  Anyway I'm waiting on the final fall out between her and Caroline on Sunday's episode. What do you think about Teresa? Do you believe there is some underlying motive for this family reconciliation? What do you think about Caroline? Should she let to book comment go? I've love your input, feel free to comment.

My Primerica Perspective.

Today I went to a coffee shop after running some errands and I came across somebody who is kind of in the same boat that I am. Or better yet, I should say about two years ago. She got her bachelors degree in Public Relations in the fall of 2011 and right now she cannot find a job. She's currently working at the coffeeshop and me and her got to talking and she was telling me how hard it is for her. I just finished graduate school and I'm kind of  back where I was. I hope and pray that it goes better this time, however, I was reflecting on my apst and just how sucky it was for me and now she's there. She got her degree in three years and she's debating whether she wants to go to grad school in Louisiana or not. Since she still has a semester for TOPS she can use, I suggested that she try one semester here and then see if she can transfer to an out of state university. Later in the conversation I went back to a job fair that I attended shortly after I got my bachelors degree, where I was told that I could take an unpaid internship for as long as I wanted. I recall telling her that PRIMERICA has been at pretty much every job fair that I have been too since the April of 2010. Lets just say, she had some words, she got a call from a representative who refused to even tell her what the hell he was selling and what kind of business he was running. He told her how she'd be able to set her own schedule, yadiyada

Yeah, okay, my experience was somewhat different, however, in the since that I was expecting the call as I had a friend of mine refer me to a representative, and I was warned by my friend prior to it. I met the representative at a local diner and the presenatation on how money works seems interesting. And I had heard about them in the past, they used to be owned by citi financial services but in April of 2010 they broke off and became their own company. Anyway, back to my experience. Prior to the actual Primerica meeting, there were several reschedules. I ultimately met my same representative at his home. 45 minutes later than the scheduled time might I add? Oh yeah, I felt like I was being held hostage, b/c I was held in there forever. Also, I was not told about selling insurance the first time that I met my repersentative. I ultimately opted out of the program b/c at the time I just had a lot going on and I really could not afford it. I already did the $99 just to start out. Plus $25/month to maintain my own Primerica website? Yeah, okay. I don't doubt that there are some who make good money doing this, but in this economy I just don't see many people buying this kind of insurance at the moment.

Orlando Lopez 311 year prison sentence.

Well folks, we have another murder case, this time it was at a neighborhood barbeque. This even took place in northern California and apparently there had been a feud going on between two families for some time. So rather than talking it out, putting aside differences, signing a peace treaty, 24 year old Orlando Lopez and another guy, 22 year old Paul Braden fire shotguns at the family which kills a four year (Skyler Rapp) old boy and wounds five other individuals including the boy's mother. A mom loses her child, is injured, however, I bet the injury is no where near the pain of losing her child at such a young age. Lopez was handed a 311 year sentence (why not just say life w/o parole?). I don't believe he intentionally killed that child, but I do believe that the motives behind the shooting rampage were probably ridiculous. Now I know some may say the justice system is kind of screwed b/c there are people who kill much more and get a lighter sentence. That's true, and 311 years does seem a bit much when you first hear it. However, I think it's nice that not all judges operate the same and this judge handed a well justified sentence. So why argue about that, the point is a child died, a mom lost her child all because of a feud between two families. What do you think? Was the sentence a bit harsh? Do you think it was justified? Why?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/09/orlando-lopez-sentenced_n_1761067.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000003