BCosmo's Xanga

Monday, January 15, 2007

Mon, 15 Jan 2007 01:19:19 GMT

I've moved most of my writing to my Vox account

http://thecoz.vox.com/

Find me there - pics, flickr links, audio, video, etc.

In the name of Science

Fri, 29 Dec 2006 19:53:38 GMT

Warning - this post is disgusting.

So my friend sent me this link - NY Times

And so starts off as an interesting article. You think - hey, another way to cut down on the spread of HIV/AIDS. But then you start really reading it. I am slightly disgusted and feel uncomfortable that a lot of grown men might be having to go through a painful procedure. And a few thoughts occurred to my friends and me.

1. Dr. De Cock - what a horrible name for the Director of HIV/AIDS for the WHO.
2. Have you ever thought of how sick the experiment was?

So, first you gotta get 8000 men to sign up. Some circumcised. Some not, but all HIV free. So you tell them that for the sake of science, they need to have sex with a lady. No problem - guys would love to have sex with a lady and say it's for the sake of science. That one liner doesn't work. Trust me - no, I haven't tried that line, but I'm sure it doesn't work.

So what happens next? Well, to make sure all things are equal they must either all have sex with the same woman that we know has HIV - disgusting. But let's make it lighter - they all have sex with someone from a pool of women that we know has HIV. To be consistent, science tells us we probably have to have both a circumcised guy and an uncircumcised guy have sex with the same lady. So later, what happens? If you're the guy, they tell you one of the following messages:

1. Thanks for your participation in our experiment. Have a nice day
2. Thanks for your participation in our experiment - You now have contracted HIV. You probably would have anyways since you're uncircumcised.
3. Thanks for your participation in our experiment. You now have contracted HIV. Being circumcised, you had a 50% chance, unfortunately you fall on the wrong side of the 50%.

Little do they know that someone else has had sex with the same person they knocked up.

Not sure this was that happy of an article now. So what have we learned today?

Men, don't cheat on your wives. Guys, use a condom. Parents, make sure your boys are circumcised early on. Everyone - do not participate in science experiments involving sex. Science may seem objective, but it can also lack in morality.

Thursday, December 14, 2006

Thu, 14 Dec 2006 21:47:07 GMT

The other night, I watch Gid's kids. Joshua was making cards and little signs. He's really tapped in a creative artistic talent - lots of stuff that really allows him to be expressive and all. Noah was sleeping when I got there, but I got the grumpy little guy after he got up. We watched tv and ate together. When it came to playing around, Joshua and Noah were hilarious. Joshua got his punching gloves. Noah got the oversized Hulk gloves (followed by him saying "I'm strong). They punched each other's gloves and laughed histerically.

Joshua went to bed himself well. Noah . . . well, he has raised his game of trying to postpone going to sleep - crying, wanting to play games or watch TV, etc. Noah also have a nice poo after Gid and Karen came back. He's cute and funny even when he's being disciplined. I caught Karen snickering when Noah said "I'm sorry to me" - because he didn't obey me.

At one point Noah was still kind of delirious or something. He was fidgeting around the couch. Then he said, "Brian, I love you. And Harmon. And Enoch." At the dinner table he was like, "Where's Harmon? Where's Enoch? You're not baba. You're Brian." I'm excited to see Brandon and Naomi come in a few days. Naomi was a walking blob last time I saw her. Funny kids.

________________

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Wed, 13 Dec 2006 07:58:24 GMT

There was a good music set on Sunday. A good version of Angels We Have Heard on High. As I go back to service, I'm reminded/comforted by the community of people that are singing. I have this thing about dropping out and just listening. Wey's talk was good. Every year there's this time where a switch flips as I reflect over Christmas. The though of preparation was good. My life has definitely been going crazy for awhile. I started thinking and chatting with God. Yes, every day is supposed to be about God, but in all reality there are those days where I feel so beat up by "the man" that I just don't give God much. More than a birthday for God (I hate that Happy Birthday Jesus song), I want this time to be about Him - a concentrated effort of "I'm going to give it my best for God" - that meaning everything from silence, heart, and time.

It looks like I might not be going home for Christmas. With all the other things going on, I'll probably take some extra time off before Vincent's wedding. Then, I got my time off in Virginia. I can't wait to see my niece. It'll be nice to getaway from life and just spend it with family.

Saturday, December 09, 2006

Sat, 09 Dec 2006 12:18:11 GMT

I did it! I ran 18 miles today. I don't say it much, but I'm proud of myself. I was pretty conservative the 1st 10 miles, and I still had something at the end. Don't get me wrong - I'm waddling around trying to maintain balance and all. It was good to get familiar with the marathon course too. 18 miles is my new all time high. I feel better about the 20 miler coming in a few weeks. I just gotta keep on training and taking it easy at the 1st few miles. I'm thinking I'll probably be running the 1st 1/2 marathon pretty conservatively just so I have something when it feels like hell at 20 miles.

Thursday, December 07, 2006

Thu, 07 Dec 2006 09:39:43 GMT

A few thoughts I wanted to capture.

That CNET editor dude. What a sad story. Talk about a gutsy guy - trying to get help for this family. He left a trail by slowly taking bits and parts of what he was wearing off. Sure - maybe I feel more cuz he's asian or that the pictures depict a good looking family. It was just one of the more sober US stories lately.

The Cheney pregnancy - I don't know how I feel about that yet. I think since I don't know them personally it's different. I know a good about of lesbian partners, but none that decided to have a kid. The ability to parent is definitely a gift of God and rite of passage.

Life/death in general - a lot of people around me have been experiencing tough times - family and close friends - some passing away, others really ill. As I talk to God about it all - that compassionate side of Him comes to me more. In general my prayers have had a lot to do with the sense of peace - transcends all understanding, etc. I get a bigger sense of that compassion, understanding and all with these personal situation more than the books I read, the stats I've heard, organizations that even help out poverty stricken areas (even Mother Theresa, Dalits, Africa, etc). I'm reminded that I don't hold this little Jesus in me or in my hands, but rather He is one the one holding me and the world.

___

Today is hopefully my 1st day of freedom - where people don't call me for help regarding the store. I'm very thankful for Tricia. I respect her and have a good time working with her. She understands the business and the people. She's got a warm heart that extends beyond the walls of Starbucks. We've chatted about her dogs, volunteering and being a part of the community. She and I have laughed over several things and cheered each other on with the steps of progress. I feel very grateful for her partnership with me in this difficult store.

Thursday, December 07, 2006

Thu, 07 Dec 2006 00:04:01 GMT

There is a divided issue. It's one of the few things where the high price point doesn't play too much of a difference for me. But I love the McRib. I don't know what it really is, but it means something to me. I remember getting it with my brothers in the McDonalds at the Galleria. We got the extra value meal and got these inaugural Dallas Stars cups with them. I remember eatting them at the McDonalds at Preston and Park. I remember getting another one after my meal. So today, I decided to get one - extra sauce and extra pickles - delicious.

Tuesday, December 05, 2006

Tue, 05 Dec 2006 20:49:27 GMT

So I ran on Sunday. Freakin' cold weather and windy. Decker 20K - around 12.5 miles. It was my worst run ever. Imagine running in freezing weather and on top of that, the wind is blowing in your face as you go a few miles uphill. Your only relieve - a side wind. My time was horrible. I was very disappointed. The only upside was that running kept my internal body temp up - possibly helping my cough/cold.

Special props to my roommates. They've been really understanding and cool. Enoch made some chicken soup too. Good stuff.

I'm kind of more paranoid these days. I know that most of a person's body heat is lost via their head. So beyond my usually blanket and all at night, I put my extra blanket on my head - truly mummifying myself.

Saturday, December 02, 2006

Sat, 02 Dec 2006 08:51:46 GMT

I'm sick. It sucks. Coughing up crap in the mornings. My voice sounding like it is going through another round of puberty. Horrible. I'm a wreck. I don't mind it when I have to blow my nose, but when it's kind of stuck - that's bad. You try to blow your nose, but you end up popping your ears. I'm still determined to run the 20K tomorrow though.

Work - well, luckily I scheduled myself for less this week. Regardless though - I've got plenty of work to do. We got a store manager starting with us on Monday. She's got a great track record. I don't think I've ever met her, but I've heard great things about her. I can already tell there are things she and I see on the same lines. Hopefully that also means I'll finally get some breathing room. I'm definitely tired. I know the best medicine for my cold is rest. I've tried that at home - not doing much. But when it comes to the store - someone has to go out there.

Friday, November 24, 2006

Fri, 24 Nov 2006 09:29:16 GMT

A rough day that ended well. Thanksgiving - was at work for 12 hrs. All these people came out. Ordering 4-8 drinks. Taking forever to decide what they wanted . . . Crazy day. I got home to be welcomed by my dog and Alex. Off to the Tsang house for Thanksgiving. Awesome food. Great conversation. I learned a lot about horse racing as well from Tanja and Tomas. There was a salad with cranberries, dressing, and instead of just any nuts - candied pecans - great touch! Everything was just amazing.

The kids were hilarious. Izzy was dancing in circles. Noah was a goofball - getting emotional and excited about various things. He bumped his mouth on the edge of the couch, but then I was like - you know what the best cure is? Star Wars! Yeah! He quickly recovered to be like, "Yeah! Star Wars!" The guys hung out in the backyard at the fire pit too. It was a nice night to relax. It was a nice change to the stress of work.

I'm very thankful for the community of family and friends. They truly go to bat for me when I'm worn out.