Congress bans shark-finning

I wrote a piece on the blog back in October that went over the devastating effects and outright cruelty of the practice of shark-finning.

I'm happy to say that today the House joined the Senate in passing the Shark Conservation Act. This is a great win for all involved, and pleased that our voices were heard loud enough to be listened to.

-Official Press-Release
-Oceana.org "Victory" Blog entry

501

Do we follow our dreams? Chase them down?

Do we build them?

How do we decide what amendments get approved or rejected along the way?

I've become interested in a number of things over these past few months. Many of which share the same vision-impairing smoke around them. I believe that we, as I sure do, have these massive periods throughout life where we weigh the value of these potential changes to our set ways and the road they travel down, and decide which get abandoned at the next exit and which we tell to buckle up.

Some of the more recent contenders have something that differentiates them from anything I've come across in years: An ability to persuade me that I must act if I want each of them to come along. What the hell is that all about? Don't I always live my days out in any way I actively please? They are the ones who are supposed to make bids to me. Make bids to be a part of the ride, and I pick and choose.

So do I act? Or do I sit idle as I have in my perfect world? I tell myself 'Paul these here could sideline you. First it was that, then that, and that. Now this.'

I know, we're tripping up.

'Nah, we're still good. But I gotta get this shit together man. Maybe it's beautifully good, maybe it's terminally bad.'

This thought process is not helping ourselves.

'Hah, no joke. But ya have each of these hooks dangling completely still right in front of you and--'

--and it's dark in here.

'Def. Ya can't see any of them too clearly, so which ones are you gonna bite?'

Now I'm sorting these things out. Weighing each of them carefully. I've been encountered while way on-guard, and it feels just the opposite.

And, I like it.

Today, let's talk about dumb drivers

Now here is a topic that I have been rather quiet on since moving to Columbus. Actually, I've been completely silent on it.

It seems to me that whenever I am encountering horrible drivers on the road, it's always one after another in the same day. It is never a day where there is one or two instances, it's always like 10 in one drive.

Example: Today as I'm leaving work (at Easton) some fool cuts into my left turn lane while we are both turning. It's easy to do if you are not paying attention, it really is a rather confusing turn. But when the jackass slams on his brakes as if I did something wrong when he almost destroyed the front end of my car, I lay on the horn. Then, as he is in backed-up traffic waiting to jump on 270 and I am in slowed traffic on Easton Way, I hear this very audible "thump" on the right side of my car as I roll past his car.

Something was thrown at my car.

No damage, and I can't see any scratches or marks. Maybe he hit the running board or my wheel? Crazy.

Where'd I go?

No where. I've been preparing for the cold weather here in Columbus. Crew season ended in a huge blaze that saw half of our roster be let go. Horrible murder went down in Mt. Vernon. I went back to Bluff over Thanksgiving. I've looked up flights for random warmer destinations. And have been working and trying to save some cash.

I've contemplated many ways to try to return to the blog, but couldn't really come up with anything superb. Nonetheless, my two month break is over!