www.johnthrasher.net

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I'm abandoning Blogger for the time being. Deal with it.

Lame Just Got Lamer

If I cared at all about John McCain before, that's all lost after today's "announcement" that he has pulled out of Friday's debate.

This is so annoying to me and most likely to many others as well. But what is most annoying about it to me might not be what you think.

Think about what the Obama campaign is going to be labeled like now. Obama's options are now: a) he follow McCain to Washington to "sort this economy out" and the media and people on the fence will then look at Obama as a follower who didn't take the lead on a national crisis, or b) he ignores it, which seems like what he is going to do, and calls McCain out on it, but the media and people on the fence look at Obama as the bad guy not interested in dealing with a national crisis.

The truth of the matter is the Republican party is now doing whatever it takes to get people to side with them. This dirty politics will hopefully rub America the wrong way and Obama will have a lot of momentum in to these final weeks...or it will just be a "McCain's a hero!" bullshit propaganda situation. I love America, but we are the same people that elected George Bush to a second term after he let the worst attack on American soil happen...and the same people that elected DAVID COOK to American Idol! What a travesty!

But anyway, it seems that Obama's campaign reacted just as I thought they would by begging the question, "What exactly will John McCain be doing to save the economy at 9PM on a Friday night?"

If you are reading this and still on the fence about where the vote should go, please contact me at the below information so I can help you sort your life out. Thanks.



John N. Thrasher, V
304-926-4404
doublefault24@gmail.com
http://www.twitter.com/jthrasher

McCain as the Penguin!

My good friend Megan Lahman sent me this great picture comparison of McCain and The Penguin from Batman.

Click here to see it.

It looks like it comes from a collection of her personal photos, so check the others out as well.

I'll be updating later, probably via video, about my hate for McCain's shitty decisions later.

I Hate Kanye West

I know that I have talked about how great his music is on my blog before, but that doesn't change the fact that he's just an idiot.

Of course many people remember the famous "George Bush doesn't care about black people" remark on that Katrina telethon. This was really what started my hatred towards him. Even though I agree with him, and think that George Bush is probably a racist asshole, I can't stand it when people get on television and make ridiculous remarks like that. Please, shut up.

Further, please shut up about all of the awards you think you should win. Kanye West is not THAT great. What I hate most about hip-hop is how every syllable of every note, of every song has to be some vibrant attempt to stroke the artist's own ego. Kanye West is the definition of egotistical, "roll your eyes and just listen to his music" type of hip-hop.

The thing that really pissed me off was this recent video of him grabbing some guy's camera in an airport and smashing it off the ground and then walking passed the line that was waiting and watching his immaturity. I hate that douche bags like Kanye West think they are above the law, and above other human beings because they've sold some records.

Ultimately, this all goes back to our society and culture. We live in a culture where an ex-felon rapper, or a 15 year old with zero talent that wears a wig can make half a billion dollars, but people like teachers, firefighters, and policemen who do the world well have to figure out how to pay their bills.

I'm sure this is a popular topic that a lot of people have talked about amongst their friends. By now it just sounds like the same old shit. But what it all boils down to is the fact that no matter what happens in this world:

I still can't stand Kanye West.

That is all.

Serena Is No.1

If you know me at all you are aware of the fact that I am absolutely obsessed with Serena Williams. My infatuation with tennis began in high school when I started watching professional tennis on television. I remember the first match I ever watched was the 2002 Wimbledon Final: Serena vs. Venus. Venus had won 2000, and 2001 Wimbledons and Serena was trying for her first. She ended up winning that match and I became instantly attached to her. She would go on to win the U.S. Open, and the 2003 Australian Open thus completing the "Serena Slam" of 4 straight majors.

In 2004, she lost the Wimbledon final to Serena Williams, and in most peoples' eyes it was the end of an era; it was a changing of the guard.

Then she had knee surgery and was out for a while, and when she did come back, it was hard to watch. She seemed just as determined to win her matches but just couldn't find her way. It was especially hard for me to watch because I had just started becoming a fan at the tail end of her dominance. Then, out of nowhere, she wins the 2005 Australian Open! I was blown away! I couldn't believe it! I was so happy for her! Then another year or so of dismal results at majors. Then BAM, ranked 87 in the world she wins another Australian Open title in 2007! Long story short, I have followed her career very closely and it has been up and down.

Flash forward to Summer 2008. She makes the Wimbledon final against sister Venus, and it's the first time they played for a grand slam title in 5 years. Venus ends up winning, though I still think Serena was the better player throughout the tournament. Then, Venus and Serena pair up for The Olympics and win the gold medal in women's doubles! YES! How perfect is this? At the end of the Olympics the only thing I could think of that would make this summer any better would be Serena winning the U.S. Open.

Last night made this summer perfect for tennis! Serena not only won her 3rd U.S. Open, and 9th Grand Slam overall, but became the No.1 player in the world again in doing so. It has been 5 years since Serena was No.1--the longest amount of time someone has been No.1 twice in the history of tennis. Of course, Serena's reaction was classic! She threw her racquet 50 feet in to the air, and jumped up and down like a kid--screaming and smiling the entire time.

Needless to say, I am very excited and ridiculously happy for Serena and her ascension to No.1 in the world! Can she follow up her win at the U.S. Open with her 4th Australian Open title in January? That would be one of the best birthday gifts I could ever ask for! ! ! ! !

Check the video, and fast forward to 4:02 to see Serena's reaction to her winning! It's classic!

My August Mood

Well, August was 7 days ago, but I am going to recap on some of what August was for me.

Movies: For The Bible Tells Me So - Watch this if you are on the fence this election season
DVD: Death Becomes Her - Who knew Goldie Hawn could be so funny!?
Music: Solange - Sol-Angel and the Hadley Street Dreams - At first I hated this, now I love it
TV Shows: The Olympics - Michael Phelps, Shawn Johnson, Nastia Liukin and Williams Sisters!
Game: iCanSketchIt - a fun game of drawing and memorization for the iPhone
Book/Magazine: WVU Course Catalog! I need to graduate!
Purchase: Some of my favorite clothes, and of course a $2 picture frame that holds my best memories within.
Travel: Canada, of course!

My August seems boring, but of course, September will be very exciting. It already has been. When will I travel to France, I wonder? :)

My Summer 2008

I wasn't sure which picture should accompany this post because I have taken more pictures this summer than any other summer. But, the one here is of the bracelets that Doug, Tommy, Lauren, and Jen gave to me and C'Anna as parting gifts when we were in San Remo. I had realized then that I hadn't been given something so simple yet so meaningful in my life. I still wear mine along with a rainbow bracelet that will keep me with my uncle who passed away in 2007. His daughter, my cousin in the recently posted video said she saw him in a rainbow in her dreams the day after he passed away.

This summer was ridiculous. I've never been through such a roller coaster of physical and mental peaks and valleys before. But, I guess that's what it's all about isn't it? We all sort of hope that we live these types of lives, and I have to say I have been absolutely blessed with the things that have happened to me this summer.

I won my first singles tournament in the beginning, which really kick-started it all. It's not a huge deal, but considering I nearly withdrew after the first round because of my disappointing practices, I would like to call it an achievement.

Then of course, I flew away to Italy. I found out literally 3 weeks before I left that I would be going. It was on a whim, and if we're being completely honest, I had been out drinking and sent the e-mail to be considered when I got back at approximately 4a.m. 3 weeks later I was on a plane to Italy where my life would change dramatically in a matter of 4 weeks.

This summer I met so many amazing people that will forever change the way I look at human beings. They've made me realize that there is more to the world than where I am in the moment. As Abi said, "Right now you are in a bubble, and you will soon pop it and see the world a lot more differently." She couldn't be more right.

San Remo will forever be a week in my life that will hold the record for most exciting, happy, beautiful, energetic, soulful, gorgeous memory of my life. I have outlined this before, but meeting Tommy, Doug, Lauren and Jen was not only amazing when it happened, but it has turned out to develop in to something that's truly ineffable. I can say now with much certainty that they will always be huge parts of my life, and I can't wait to see what the next step is.

I plan on writing full length posts about each of them just so people realize how beautiful they are and what kind of impact they have made on my life. I'm addicted to them. It's probably weird by now how much I talk about them but it's true.

My 2 weeks in Rome felt like I never left home. By the middle of the first week, it had felt like I had lived there my whole life. When I get back home in the States and look back at pictures, journals and anecdotes, it almost feels like I should be back there, doing what I need to do. I became so comfortable with my surroundings that I had no problem there. If I could tackle the language barrier, I would consider living there. Sam was a great guy, and I am really glad to have met him. I became particularly close to Rafael...my husband as I like to call him. I don't think he appreciates it as much as he says, but he can deal with it or he gets mace in the face.

Oh, Milan. So, the last week of June, I was in Milan for fun. I don't really know what to say about it except it made me realize how beautiful people can actually be. Sitting around a penthouse with my best friend, and 10 or so other people that I have known for less than a month and being in complete comfort, camaraderie, and trust is a feeling that is unmatched anywhere. Five days, and a few particularly close relationships later, and I'm walking to my bus stop to fly home bawling my eyes out. Hugging Abi goodbye was the hardest part of my trip. I'll never forget walking over and seeing her sleeping on the rooftop with the sun just coming up, and looking just like an angel. I didn't want to wake her because I knew it would soon be something so much different. Seeing her cry made me never want to leave. I'll never forget that.

Home was like getting hit by a ton of bricks - make that 20 tons of bricks. Not only was I depressed about being away from the people that helped change my life, but I had so much to deal with in preparation for school. It was just one thing after the other. Why couldn't I just be sitting on that rooftop again? Why couldn't I be laughing my ass off at people reacting to C'Anna threatening to spray them with mace? Why couldn't I be staring in to brown eyes? Why couldn't I get that child-like giddy feeling of seeing my favorite people again on a daily basis? I'll never know why I live here and put myself through this misery known as school, but I assure you there are big changes coming this May. I don't care if I have 1 credit left to graduate in May. I'm finished.

Canada was an experience. I got to take these 4 figments of my imagination, and put them in real life settings, with real-life families, and real-life living situations, and real-life problems. I think that's part of why I am struggling with being home...I don't get to be a part of these daily routines, and it bothers me tremendously. I was just telling someone recently about how I want to go to where I am happy. I want to be around things that make me happy. Who doesn't? I have an ipportunity ahead of me to be where I am happy and I think I'm going to take advantage of it. May can't come soon enough.

So another fall semester is about to begin. How many is this now? I don't even want to think about it. But what I am going to think about is making it my last couple of months here before I start something new - something else life changing.

Canada: My New Favorite Country

So, I have been to a few other countries in my life. Most notably Italy, where I have worked and lived for 2 months of my life. Italy is my favorite country in that it's very mysterious, but only because I can't speak fluent Italian, yet I somehow manage to fall in love with every aspect of it when I am there.

Well, there has been a changing of the guard. Canada is my new favorite country. I don't want to sound like such a foreigner here, but it's really true. I went to visit Doug, Tommy, Lauren, and Jen...my four obsessions from when I was working in Italy this year. I got to hang out with them for a few days, and partied, and got really upset and poured my heart out to all the wrong people, had in depth heart-to-hearts that needed to happen, and most importantly, I ate moose. Okay that last part isn't true at all, but I was real pissed that I didn't see a moose. Actually, if I saw a moose I would probably spray it's ass with mace and run away.

Anyway, I sat by the pool most of the first day and got a real sick sun burn. Then the next couple of days it rained like 40 days and 40 nights, and I was FREEEEEZING. They kept telling me how cold it was in Celsius and I would be like, "I have no idea what that means." For you Americans, it was a good 40-50 degrees. It was sooo cold. Autumn is just around the corner and it's scaring me. Stop it Autumn.

There was this girl in high school named Autumn Smith and she would sing her damn throat out. She had short hair and then she joined Queen City Funk and Soul. She's also very pretty. Check her out.

Anyway, after a couple of days with my favorites, I went on and met up with Tanya in Hamilton. We went to breakfast, then we went on to the Royal Botanical Gardens, which were BEAUTIFUL! Then we went to lunch at a really nice artsy fartsy place. It reminded me of a softer Pittsburgh or something.

Anyway, Canada was AMAZING! I had such a blast, and I have the best friends in the world. Literally. It was so much fun to get there and see how they live after meeting them half way across the planet. It's so surreal how my life is introducing people like this to me. It's almost hard to believe, like it's out of a movie or something. I am so grateful and am constantly thanking God for letting me in on some of these peoples' lives.

You guys are a dream come true.

Old McDonald Has Foot Boobies

...see for yourself.

Firefox 200!

So last night I was watching some of Walt Mossberg's online video reviews of some products. I came across one that was a review of Firefox 3. He went on about how awesome it was and I was like, "I mean mine is good but it's not this good." Then I checked to see which version I was running, because I was sure all of my software was up to date, and it was definitely Firefox 2.0. I was kind of pissed. Turns out it updated while I was in Italy.

Anyway, I finally downloaded Firefox 3.0 and I have to say it is substantially faster and more user friendly than not only Firefox 2.0, but Safari 3 and IE7. Why are we even talking about IE7?

My favorite feature is the live URL bar which predicts the website as you are typing it. This isn't really that useful for me because all of the sites that I go to are on my Bookmark Toolbar, but it's interesting nonetheless. Bookmarks Toolbar is a lot easier to manage, though I wish you had the option to drag off of the toolbar for a delete like Safari. This is something that makes managing the toolbar very frustrating and tedious. If you're like me, you like to have some new websites to see every once in a while rather than just the same old stuff, so you're constantly adding and deleting things from your bookmarks. Hopefully, once they change this feature I can give it a 10/10.

I can't get over how fast it is. It makes this horrible (nearly dial-up) connection back home look super fast by the way the browser loads the content. I can't wait to try it on a faster network. Anyway, check out Walt Mossberg's review down below. He is a contributing reporter for the Wall Street Journal, so if you are going to Google him, keep this in mind. As far as I know he doesn't have his own YouTube channel; his stuff is just uploaded to the Wall Street Journal's channel.

Hope everyone has enjoyed this blog. I've had it for 4 years and this post is my 200th official post! Maybe I'll come up with something special for it! Happy weekend!