See you in 2010!
First of all! I would like to say Merry Christmas to everyone! Today is a day of peace, of joy, of family traditions, of new hope, of any and all positive thoughts and ideas, for any and all religions whether you celebrate Christmas or not. It's about the generalized spirit of things.
Christmas however, has been desecrated. In most house holds, there is at least one person who lacks the respect for what Christmas is. It's that time with your family maybe for some ONLY once a year, where you can enjoy each other - or at least try to in the name of Christmas - and where you try to be at peace, and just enjoy the atmosphere.
What these people who lack respect do however, is desecrate the meaning of Christmas by text messaging and talking on their cell phones the entire time. Whether it's twitter, their best friend from Ohio, their boyfriend who's still in bed, facebook, or someone overseas...
People today are spending TOO much time on their phones. And I don't say this because it's unhealthy. I say this because it bothers me. And Yes, I am guilty of it too, but not at Christmas. Christmas to me, is special. Why? Maybe because I have a separated family, so it means more. Maybe because I have a bone disorder so I know how special the good times can be when you're in a bad time. Maybe I am old fashioned for thinking this way in the "New World" of technology and cell phones, or maybe I'm not.
The point is, people are destroying the value that is "family time" at Christmas by using their cell phones to bring another person into it. Maybe a person who wasn't even invited. To me, talking on a cell phone, is like letting the person on the other end of the cell phone sit in the room with you, and just not include them entirely. It's to me like bringing another person into the room, into the activity, and when that person hasn't been invited by the host of the activity, well, it's just kind of rude to bring them without asking.
I won't mention anything specifically, but it's just something I've noticed is irritating me today. Maybe I have the wrong idea about cell phones, but I believe that there is a time and a place to NOT use cell phones constantly, and I think Christmas is one of them. Even if you only spend 15 minutes without it to open presents and tell your family you love them, that's better than texting the ENTIRE time!
So like I said, maybe I have the wrong idea, maybe I don't. I'm just stating an opinion, and sharing it with whoever chooses to read it. That's my Christmas rant for this year, tune in next year for my rant on: iPods! - I jest, I jest.
Have a happy holiday season everyone!
Sincerely,
-David
Edited In: I don't pretend to not be using my phone today, but during family time, eg. Christmas dinner, or family present time, etc etc. I haven't used my phone for anything other than pictures - none of which were even sent via email to any of my online accounts yet, simply saved on my phone.
The only thing I did, was a qik video to include a gift-giver of one of the gifts at my family's celebration in seeing the reaction of the recipient. Other than that, my phone was not a mobile device; it was a camera.
Tokyo Biggest Tech Party Ever took place last Thurs. Dec 17th in Roppongi at a club named 57. There was a good turnout of reportedly 400+ people attending. The Poken guys were there as were a group selling a dedicated offline Wikipedia device. I saw and talked with many of the regular Tokyo Technorati as well as some people I hadn't had the pleasure of meeting before. Below are some of the photos from the party, it was a great event.
Today is Wednesday that means Thai Truck for Lunch in Meguro. Today was the last Thai Truck Lunch of the year, as the next 2 Wednesdays are holidays, and it might be the last Thai Truck for me as I'm leaving Nokia Japan. So long 2009, and thanks for all the yummy Thai Truck Wednesday's.
Today is Wednesday that means Thai Truck for Lunch in Meguro. Yummy!
Next week will likely be the last Thai Truck Lunch of 2009.
Photos taken with the Nokia N97.
Today is Wednesday that means Thai Truck for Lunch in Meguro. Lunch was great today, as usual. Unfortunately not sure how much longer I can go to Thai Truck Wednesdays since the Nokia Japan office is being closed.
Photos taken by the Nokia N97.
So recently my American Government class received an assignment in which we were to contact our three representatives - two senators and our district representative - about any federal issue of our choosing, and write to them. It was not required to bring in a response, however, I felt that mine warranted further inquiry. As you read the content of the discussion, you will quickly understand why. I will post them in chronological order. If more follow at a later date, I will continue to post them as well.
My original message:
11-18-2009
David Worley
a.david.worley@gmail.com
Senator Murray, I am contacting you because I am a newly registered voter, and have recently obtained the legal age of majority in the USA, and am interested in gaining information on various issues of controversy now that I am able to vote. I did not exercise my right to vote in the most recent election, as I did not feel I was properly informed on the issues. Be that as it may, to remedy this in time for the next election, I am writing to the current senators of my state - Washington - as well as my district representative, and am questioning them on issues and topics that I feel interest me, or are pertinent to me in such defining way that they may influence my future votes.
I took the liberty of viewing your public voting record and noted that in 1996 you apparently voted “yes” on an issue regarding the definition of marriage. You define marriage as something between only a man and a woman. My question for you is how is it fair of you to discriminate against people of homosexual orientation, and not allow them the privilege of being married? That is punishing them for being homosexual, something they have no choice over. What gives you or the rest of the Senate for that matter, the right to punish a group of people for something they have no choice over? Equal opportunities, and equal rights should be available for all individuals on all levels. My next question is how can you remain a member of the democratic party if you are going to vote in a conservative direction? How can you remain a democrat when you know that likely a majority of democrats would look down their noses at you for having voted the way that you did?
Respectfully, I do hope that you provide me with an appropriate explanation to my questions. I sincerely hope I have not offended you with my statements or questions.
I remain truly exhilarated while anticipating your response.
Regards,
David Worley
Her first and only response so far:
Dear Mr. Worley:
Thank you for writing me to share your thoughts on health care reform. It is good to hear from you.
I believe that health care reform is one of the most critical issues facing our nation. Our current health care system is unstable and unsustainable. Too many people do not have health care coverage and many of those who have coverage are worried about losing it in this uncertain economy. Businesses and families are finding it harder and harder to deal with increasing health care premiums.
In addition, Washington state family budgets cannot sustain the continual rise in health care costs and hidden taxes in the form of rising premiums to cover the uninsured. If we do not get health care costs under control, local, state and federal government budgets will have to take on the weight of rising health care costs. While health care reform may require an initial cost investment, it will pay off in the long term and the cost of letting the system become more unstable is much greater. Without reform to our health care system, premiums will continue to rise, coverage will become more uncertain, businesses will lose competitiveness, and it will be harder for Americans to have access to care.
To address these issues, the Senate released the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act on November 19, 2009. This legislation lays out policy changes for health care reform in America. This package works to rein in health care costs with a goal of lowering them in the long term and ensure that all Americans have access to high-quality, affordable health care coverage. It allows those who like their health insurance to keep it and provides options to those who do not have access to health insurance coverage.
This bill also includes provisions to implement several key health insurance reforms. For example, insurance companies would no longer be able to refuse coverage to individuals due to preexisting conditions, patients' out-of-pocket expenses would be limited and all annual and lifetime caps on insurance coverage would be eliminated.
In addition, an independent analysis by the Congressional Budget Office determined that this bill is fully paid for, will provide coverage to more than 94% of Americans, and will reduce the deficit by $127 billion over the next ten years. This analysis shows the American people that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act saves money while extending the life of Medicare and putting patients first.
The House of Representatives passed their own version of health care reform on November 7, 2009. There is still a lot of debate and work to be done on health care reform legislation and as the Senate moves forward on health care reform legislation, I will be weighing the many concerns that I am hearing from constituents all across Washington state. As this effort continues, I will certainly keep your thoughts in mind.
For more information, the Senate health care reform bill can be found on my website at: http://murray.senate.gov/healthcarereform/
I hope all is well in Walla Walla.
Sincerely,
Patty Murray
United States Senator
My second message to her, in reply to her ignorance.
12-1-09
David Worley
a.david.worley@gmail.com
Dear Senator Murray: I recently wrote to you, concerning an aged topic, though still relevant to my interests, and decision making process, and that topic was the Defense of Marriage Act, of 1996.
I questioned your right to prevent two people from being married, as well as your party membership in the democratic party. The issue I wrote on had absolutely nothing to do with the recent issues of healthcare and healthcare reform.
I am extremely offended that you have the audacity to respond to me when you have clearly not read, or taken into account what I actually questioned you on, and are instead informing me of your current views on healthcare reform. It was entirely inappropriate of you to respond in this manner, and I currently expect your appropriate response to the issues in question.
The message you wrote to me as an initial response is attached, along with my original message.
Thank you for your continued consideration,
-David Worley
Today is Wednesday that means Thai Truck for Lunch in Meguro. I received some bad news from my company yesterday, Nokia has decided to close the Nokia Japan office. Ontop of that the Mountain Dew has also been removed from the 100 Yen vending machine near the office. It's just as well I suppose since I don't know how much longer I'll be coming to the office. (If you know of any job openings, I'd appreciate if you let me know via Vox private message.)
Without further delay here are this week's Thai Truck photos (they maybe one of the last Thai Truck photo sets).
Photos taken with the Nokia N97.
Well, not actually 30. Today's my birthday, and I'm turning 30 only if you measure it in hexadecimal, a milestone I've been looking forward to for the past 6 years. (It gives away the secret if you say "I'm 2D years old".)
In the past 10 days, I've delivered a talk I call "Karaoke for Fun and Profit" not once, but twice, at two separate "ignite" events: IgnitePortland and IgniteSalem.
