The FBI Academy

There is one and one reason only as to why I would not become involved in a government agency: lack of nobility. My greatest fear is that this corruption would fall in place of inactivity, in other words, that I would have nothing to do. I don't want to press pens for a living, and such findings are commonly reported by common people. There have been a number of terrorist plots against our nation, a list can be found here that might (it is wikipedia, I maintain (admittedly lessened) doubts) suggest a greater availability of meaningful opportunity in our agencies:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terrorism_in_the_United_States

There also exists a destination to look forward to if I would like to become involved with the scene, making it even more viable: The FBI Academy. Official website: http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/training/national-academy.

After gaining positive experience and making an impact in the scene of fire-fighting (which would also enable the possibility of starting a family.. although I'm not sure of the academy's requirements), I could move on to local, preferably higher-demanding, police work. After making a positive impact there and developing a solid reputation, I could easily attain a nomination from the chief of my police department and enroll at The FBI Academy, promising to serve at least three years in the Bureau. That gets me in!

Then I could go on.. maybe transfer from the FBI to the CIA, elsewhere, end up really enjoying the FBI and staying there a long time.. who knows? Politics? George Bush was the Director of the CIA for about a year.

Just ideas.  

A (Too) Late Night Thought

Well, I'm up and I definitely shouldn't be.. feeling atrocious, sweating like a pig, coughing like a.. I don't know.

Some of my best thoughts have been accomplished too late at night, and this one might be another. You guys know the Shaytards? They've got a pretty awesome thing going that's been alive for several years, documenting their family things, designed to "inspire hope that families can last together.. forever." They're a strong Christian (Mormon, actually.. but remember that no edit deal?) family although they're definitely not obnoxious about it in their vlogs, which serves all the better to convey their message. Pretty inspirational, very funny, just a pleasure to watch. It's like home videos taken to the extreme, combined to accomplish something pretty important.

Say I don't live the fantastic life of solitude abroad.. say I do settle down and raise a family. I'm promising that hypothetical and future wife right now, actually formally a while back (to myself.. but stored.. whatever, it's written now) that we'll stick together forever, because that's really what marriage is all about. Lifelong commitment to a relationship independent of happiness, with a foundation in unconditional love, and a sense of accountability to the other before God to cooperatively lead a synchronized life -- as one. The flesh combined.. you get the verse I'm getting towards.. I just want my marriage to be how God would want it to be. That's not how the church has traditionally described it -- because we're not even parting at death. Because of the greatest sacrifice and gift of all time, we get to enjoy one another forever. And that's pretty cool.

Buutt back to my point -- videorecording home life is a brilliant idea. I'd love it.
One of those things that would be really, really fun to look back on whenever..
One of those things that would be great to enjoy with my wife, with my kids, and with my family.
One of those awesome, too late at night, ideas.

Citation due.. this'll have to do:
http://www.youtube.com/user/SHAYTARDS?feature=g-all-s

And would you look at that, it rhymed!

Anticipation

"I don't always watch TV, but when I do, I prefer ABC."

- The Second Most Interesting Man in the World

Think about it.. they keep coming out with the best shows. There's only been a couple of series I've watched through of anything on television.. let me try to list what I've watched.

- Heroes by NBC (overall one you had to finish, even if it did get out of control corny) - 6.5/10

- Prison Break by Fox (really good actually.. got hit hard by the strike) - 8.5/10

- Day Break by ABC (short, fun to watch, intriguing) - 7/10

- 24 by Fox (pretty sure it's the best of the bunch.. -.5 for liberalizing) - 9.5/10

- Lost by ABC (first three seasons were great.. the scifi ruined the rest) - 8/10

- Kick Buttowski (watched whatever was on Netflix with Cado Potato.. real good =p) - 9/10 in a way not better than Prison Break's 8.5

- Revenge by ABC (loving it so far) 9/10

And that might be it for the shows I've watched start to finish. Not counting miniseries, which are more like enhanced movies, these shows have all struck my fancy for one reason or another. The funniest thing about Revenge right now is that it's trailer would have scared me away from ever starting it. I'm really grateful I watched the two-minute YouTube promo instead, which did it much better justice than the teenybopper thirty-second one ABC shows during commercial breaks. It's deep and philosophical, emotional and thrilling, and that guilty pleasure most won't admit to watching. It's got some really good things going for it though.

Now, I feel it important to address that the Second Most Interesting Man in the World was originally intended to be me.. but after a bit of research and discovery that it was ACTUALLY FOX to make 24, it struck me that it must be somebody else.. I'm more like the first-and-a-half most interesting man in the world. I'm falling in love with Revenge though, and if it doesn't stop, continues for eight seasons, and does it all with the class and style of 24.. I don't know, I might reconsider my favorites.

There's a part of me that wants to become Jack Porter just as much as he wants to become Jack Bauer.

You know what I've said about being the most impressionable man in the world? Every time I really get into the cast of a show or movie, it makes me want to join the bandwagon and move to Los Angeles after high school and.. maybe.. Costa Rica.

I'm a talented actor. I get what a script intends and what an audience wants. I can get to the point at which the character becomes me, and Stevie LaFerriere as you know him no longer exists. One thing I can't do, though, is sing. That means no Broadway, but I'm not talking theater, I'm talking film. Theater people are weird. So are actors.. but in a classier way, I think. Then there are the actors and actresses that do theater. They're cool.. but theater people.. that could never be me.

I'm in a weird state of mind right now.. maybe that's what you get when you stay at home sick for a day and a half. Boredom and inactivity gets to me.. kills me haha.

I don't know what I wanna do besides feel pathetic haha.

It did make me pretty happy when I noticed I had a spinoff.. it's called What Am I Doing? 

You might want to check it out, because if it came from one of my fans, it might appeal to the rest of my fans. Here's a link.. hold up.

doingamiwhat.blogspot.com

and this is me!

http://beta.abc.go.com/shows/revenge/bios/jack-porter

or.. 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/b9/Jack_Bauer.jpg

I don't know.. time will tell.

Maybe I'll just be a writer like John Steinbeck.

Or.. this gentleman: (who's strikingly similar to me in regards to thought on sociology and writing)

 http://static.wetpaint.me/revenge/ROOT/photos/460_340/MasonTreadwellRogerBart--582439475816456570.jpg

Whatever.. I just want the season finale to show up already.

I'm loving the way Bill Buchanan's on the show.. as "The White-Haired Man"

It was good to see Jack's "Don't Fight It" maneuver coming around again =).

Have I mentioned the episode titles of Revenge? I like them a lot.. because I used to plan on titling every entry of this journal that way.

Pilot (how original =p)

Trust

Betrayal

Duplicity

Guilt

Intrigue

Charade

Treachery

Suspicion

Loyalty

Infamy

Commitment

Perception

Chaos

Scandal

Doubt

Justice

Absolution

Legacy

Grief

Reckoning

Looking forward to Reckoning.. and next season's supposed to start off with a marriage. Also, wrapping up this season will let me find a new show to get addicted to. I don't know if it'll be quite as good, though.

Can always go back to rewatching 24 =).


(Forgotten List -- since I forgot these two, the list might be even longer:)
- Northern Exposure 8/10
- Freaks and Geeks 9/10

A Simpler Happily Ever After

You know, it's a pretty unnatural thing to look down at our feet. We walk looking straight down the path ahead, we drive looking much further, and when we get to the summit of a mountain we look into the vast beyond. There is so much in the world and so many places to go, so many options for the future, that we often forget about the decisions in the present. Not the kind, "what will I eat for dinner tonight?" but of the assortment "left foot, right foot." The steps we take, the ones which get us where we are going, can easily slip into the subconscious, and nearly always do. Unfortunately, if you translate this illustration analogically, you will discover life is prone to demand an opposite manner of us.

Now, I've got absolutely no idea where I'm going. This uncertainty is appealing to me, however, because it has so many horrible and wonderful potential outcomes. I might be a dreamer, but I've always considered myself more an individual of action. I like to do as much as I possibly can, I like to be as great in the well-rounded manner, magnificent in the big picture, that it's sometimes the details that slip me by. It's true for English grade and it's true for my life in general.

Returning to the walk I lead, these activities can best be compared to the contents of a backpack. The more I have, the slower I walk. The more I have, the more prepared I am for the class I'm going to. Am I always in a hallway then? Am I always heading somewhere, but never getting anywhere? Is that the life we all lead? Is that the right way to go?

Returning once again to the contents of a backpack, we might consider what must be done should it have been chose what I should have done should junior graduation have remained an option. I would have taken things out of my backpack in order to walk faster. I would have needed to drop football with hopes of coming back to pick it up later. I would have needed to consider dropping the ability to sleep in until 7:20 and make it school on time. These things would have allowed me to walk faster to my class, my destination, junior graduation.

So that's basically where I'm at right now. Two hands clinched. It was funny this morning, actually, Mrs. Levy said she has been reading me as a kind of intense guy, while I've never thought that way of myself at all (should you drop the fact that one of my career possibilities is strikingly similar to Jack Bauer). That reminded me that certain people in our lives only see us at particular moments, in certain moods, or acting out a requisite but alternative persona. It's mildly depressing to me, that certain people I've had this kind of impression on in initial relationship might never know me proper. People I knew strictly through baseball, people I knew while at SUMMA, and now the people solely involved in the planning of this junior graduation. However, these things have granted me a unique understanding of other people, even if at the cost of a missing one for myself.

When you adopt an alternative persona, you're essentially an actor without the security of a stage. People will actually respond in an uncontrollably honest manner, no longer a dependent of the progression of life. This allows for a totally operational sociology lab, one which can hardly be found anywhere, anyhow else. While maintaining suit, you can plant certain stimuli you could never believably deliver anywhere else. Such experimentation, while coming at a certain cost, has certainly taught me essential lessons on human behavior which I've been able to use in a positive and constructive manner elsewhere. What has given me additional advantage is the extra people I've had the privilege to come across, growing up around the nation.

One youthful lesson I've abandoned at times, even if temporarily, is that of being yourself. Which has come at its cost.

I've got no idea how this story ends. There a thousand things that could happen with my life, as I've said before, but this is one idea that has only truly struck me today.

Living with or without a college degree, teaching English in Costa Rica until I've worked enough money to open a crab shack or surf shop, and living forever after totally, inherently, and permanently simply.

The simple life -- if happiness is a price I'm willing to pay.
How does that sound?

Why does it always end up in the future? Why can't my eyes stay grounded at my feet? Why don't I write about the present? It's not because it sucks, I love it, but it's because it really is unnatural. There are other parts to a walk though -- sitting on a bench (with a friend and) looking how far you've come, taking a minute to take the pebbles out of your sock, five to eat, ten to relax, or a night back home. It doesn't always end at the peak. It doesn't always start at the base. Even while climbing, we're not always moving up.

Legacy and Romance

There is a typical life in this world and there is an atypical one.

Nearly everybody believes they lead the atypical life and, for the most part, they're not wrong. However, nearly everybody believes nearly everybody else leads the typical life, and for the most part, I have a thousand more questions. But that's not really what I want to talk about. I do believe my life is atypical, which, I'll admit up front, must be a typical assumption.

Two things really stand out in my priorities, aims, and aspirations for my life in this world. You've seen them in the title and they mean a lot to me. One of them captures what others think and will think of me, the others what I fancy myself to operate by. The romance of the adventures of the twists and turns of life, the marching to the beat of one's own drum, and living a life that reads like a storybook is something I've found particular draw to in recent years. I want distinction and I want a legacy worthy of remembrance. I don't want to be forgotten and I want to be special.

Whether this means on the small-scale level of friends, family, and acquaintances or of national and global occurrence, I don't presently care or select. I do think of how the "Personal Life" section of my future past-tense Wikipedia page will look, though, quite often. This is a bit of a joke between me and myself, and maybe Andrew Collins now, but it's something to look forward to. I'm writing my autobiography right now, baby! Filling it up with some decent content, making my life an adventure to be followed. Journaling might help, and, although it stings me to say it, being done with online Philosophy might really help me out there. I simply haven't had a ton of time to keep this updated, and I've been leaning towards the rustic romance of handwritten entries, but I still feel a sense of publicity is a necessary evil.. those silly historians one day might need some permanent availability of research into my early life.. from my eyes!

I started The Great Gatsby today.. just so y'all know.

Let me tell you a bit about the distinctions I'd like (or have liked) to make for myself.

- I've wanted to graduate early for a long time.. graduating at the end of junior year is no longer an option, (quite unfortunately, I'm a little pissed at Mr Robertson right now but since he's an adult he probably made the right choice.. and okay, I don't actually believe that right now because I'm not supposed to.. this is one of those things that you look back on when you're like, thirty, and say 'I was such a stupid kid back then! That was one of the greatest things anyone ever did for me!' but as for right now.. I have to be mildly pissed and disappointed.) but that says nothing about the end of first semester, senior year!

- I want to be somewhat nomadic like my Uncle Will.. but for likely different reasons. I want to touch lives, I want to make an impact small-scale and/or large-scale, I want to see the world almost as much as I want it to see me!

- If we get into fun stuff.. I wouldn't mind being a mid-senior-year high school drop out.. take a look at these no-namers who dropped out of formal education: William Shakespeare, George Bernard Shaw, Kiefer Sutherland (Jack Bauer!!), Sean Connery and Jim Carrey, Robert DeNiro! ... almost every musician you can name! Albert Einstein! The Wright Brothers! Evita Peron! Yogi Berra!
http://www.school-survival.net/successful_dropouts.php

- I want to be one of those cool poly-glot types.. English, Spanish, Russian, Arabic, Chinese, German, Farsi. -- all on my list of ideas.

- How about an informal gap-year "I-spent-a-year-in-Costa-Rica-partying-working-my-ass-off" kind of guy?

- A SUMMA grad gone high school drop out.. has such a thing ever occurred in the history of mankind?

- I never want to own much.. maybe have a lot of money to use, but never own stuff. I love that idea of the Spartan lifestyle where you could pack everything you own into a backpack, head out the door, and give your renter a call.. of your tiny shower-in-the-kitchen Chinatown apartment. Also, charity organizations would be a great place to store all that money.. you never get much back from them!

- Don't think I don't want to work. Job possibilities for me could be
I) military -> government agency (CIA, FBI, Homeland, etc.) -> diplomacy
II) joint firefighter/youth pastor -> firefighter/police officer -> FBI -> ...
III) full-term traveling missionary.. living life in the field all over the world
IV) foreign service/ministry organization founder
V) full-time writer like John Steinbeck

In other words, expect something crazy over here. I'm not settling for less. Night-night time!

This I Believe -- Philosophy 2012

This was my final assignment for my Philosophy course this year.. I have to admit it makes me a little sad and a little emotional to admit it's coming to a close, but it has been an amazing experience and one I should not soon forget. I just want to thank God for this privilege which has been so generously bestowed upon me, like all else I have come to cross in this life. What a wonderful world!

This I Believe -- Philosophy 2012

There are nearly seven billion people inhabiting this planet. Only twenty-five of them made their way into this course. Whether you ascribe this to fate, the working hand of God, or random coincidence, it certainly happened. For such a reassurance of the external benevolence by which they were selected, I can only return such a force with eternal gratitude. This company has been a major blessing to me, a challenge to the coalition that is my spiritual and mental union, and to me, just as a person. I want to take this time to express this thankfulness, to match it with my beliefs, and make my exit with perfect peace of mind. The points are non-essential to me, this is a spontaneous final assignment, as to what comes next I have simply no clue.

One of the greatest things I take from any course is that of its company. The people with whom I study are all unique, loved by God, special to him and consequentially me. I love them for absolutely no reason, save the fact that I know both them and myself have been saved alongside total imperfection. These people with whom I make acquaintance, get to know, they have all been carefully and intricately designed off of the image of our perfect and divine Creator. We are all chips off the same ol' block! 

Through this knowledge, I have learned great things, not only about you, but also of my own design and the One responsible for it all. It amazes me, it makes me feel incredible, and intrigued! How can such goodness exist? How can it be denied? How can it apply to me and everyone else around me? The answer is pretty simple, my God just loves to bless me and the neighbors he has created for me. What impresses me further is that he knew before time that I would come into contact with them all in one way or another! I believe he put all of them into my life for a certain purpose of differing degree, that he has great plans for each of them, and that I got to be a part of their experience! I believe I can be used for wonderful things. I believe that my classmates and friends and my family have all been put in my life to serve a purpose or two of one kind or another. All this I believe and it gives me a hope and a confidence, the likes of which I can't even fully describe.

What pushes me over the edge is that this piece, in and of itself, has the potential to have been of use. The Spirit dwells within me and to Him I attribute each and every good action I perform. Should He decide to use these words to his glorification, to his purpose, or to his intent of one kind or another, whether to distance or draw near, I will consider myself extremely honored. I believe I have been put on this earth to touch lives so that my Father might gain magnificent renown. I believe that I will be a part of something big. I believe I am remarkably blessed to have made your acquaintances, to have been given the privilige of taking this course, and to have been planted into such a glorious sandbox of a planet. Thank you God!

- Stevie LaFerriere

The Composition of a Soul

"So what is the point of philosophical aesthetics? Why force aesthetics and philosophy together?"

Where the Mental meets the Physical

The Spirit is Set Loose

There are three things of which a soul consists: a mind, a body, and a spirit. The mind is a manager and develops educated analysis, organization, and decisions while the body is an executive that delivers action and the spirit is our human resources capitalizing upon emotion, conviction, and faith. These entities connect in a multifarious manner of ways, which are epitomized in aesthetics, exercise, and philosophy. The physical meets the mind in aesthetics. Physical (especially sex) provides the connection between the physical and the spiritual. Philosophy provides the connnection between the mind and the spirit. Each has its own specialty, yet they all manage to combine in a spectacularly harmonious manner. 

Why is this important? How could it possibly be relevant? Because it's a system we see everywhere. God is comprised of a trinity -- three-in-one -- just as much as we are. God the father is the divine form of a mind, Jesus bears the divine body (which is also a mind-body-spirit), and the Holy Spirit is self-definitive. We formed our government similarly, whereas the legislative branch is most like the spirit, the executive branch is most like the body, and the judicial is most like the mind. It is everywhere and, with this concept understood, both the source of conflict and the key to harmony are revealed.

Is this ever going to connect to art? It already has. As we have said, aesthetics are a key part of the interactions of our soul -- one of the quintessential arches that bridge the soul. The synthesis of the body and the mind make for way for the perfect communication of the spirit's emotions, although the act itself is somewhat exclusive of it. (Such is the way with the others as well, I might add, because although philosophy is determined by the mind and the spirit, it is enacted by the body; also, a stupid exercise goes hardly anywhere.)

The mind and the body are beautiful when cooperative, but can also be feisty rivals. One concerns itself entirely with order, the other entirely with experience and sensation. Should the body disregard orders from the mind or the mind disregard reports from the body, we often find ourselves in places we don't like which are often awkward social situations, like speaking thoughtlessly or pooping one's pants (hey, we were all toddlers once!). When they can synthesize in art, the soul is at balance. Thanks, philosophical aesthetics!

Why force aesthetics and philosophy together? Why, because we exist, silly! We are a combination of a great many activities, some of the greatest of which I have already mentioned. Why push aesthetics and sex together, as so many have? Why combine a workout and a philosophy? The answer, I think, is pretty simple. It's because we, each our own mind-body-spirit, carry these things through naturally and splendidly.

We were designed to combine physical activity, philosophy, and aesthetics in order to glorify God. Doing so is our purpose, our "good" as Socrates would call it, and the foremost desire of a healthy soul.

- Ten minutes in the life of a philosophy student.