I have enjoyed life and I have worked less!

Let's try 20 days first!

Brazilians (South Americans in general) are in better health and shape than North Americans. They don't even go to the gym, they walk. Here one enjoys good food, enriched with flavor and at times, food is fried, but where's the obesity?! They drink beer as much as we do, but where are the beer bellies? I will start a new blog learning their daily food, diet and health. To learn what are they doing that we are not!

Bare in mind, this is not personal attack against anyone, if there's anything personal about this journey, it's me! I put myself in the middle of this war. Over the years, I have traveled to many places in the world and for some reason, strange or otherwise, I tend to loose weight more than I could in the America. I keep asking myself why and how do I maintain the (at the time) weight I have lost? This is tough thing to answer and I know that I will not able to simplify this in one sentence or just in one day. I will abandon things that I know that are truly unhealthy for me!! But, I will learn to find ways to replace them with other flavorful and healthier alternatives.

As of today, June 7^th, 2010, I will walk an average of 4.8 km, which is about 3 miles everyday. I must walk after dinner meals and/before going to bed. During my last 20 days left in this country. I will follow some difficult but yet simple rules:

I can't have the following:

1. Beer

2. Fast Food

3. Potato Chips (even if it's fat free)

4. French Fries (even they're cooked in Extra Virgin Olive Oil)

I will not seek your:

1. support

2. understanding

3. reasoning

4. approval

I ask that you don't

1. break me away from what I am doing

2. offering me beer

3. offering me just one french fry

4. give me your negativity

You, if you like:

1. take a walk with me

2. give me your opinion on this issue

3. tell me your experience when dealing with foods overseas?

4. What are other countries doing that we aren't doing?

free yourself from mid-aged crisis!

I don't even know why its called Business Traveling. It should be known as going somewhere only to speak and think and compare to what you have back home and how things are less superior to your standards. Still, is there another name of this kind of traveling? Currently, I am in São Paulo, Brazil. I spent over a month in Buenos Aires, Argentina with a group of guys that well not of them, but lack any desire to know the countries or cities that they are in. They are looking for familiar places, which they still fail to understand that they will not find. They refuse to accept the standards of living that our South American friends live and enjoy.
With only a few hours before I need to get some sleep, I pride myself by going outside and walking around the city, without thinking about it, a menu is provided not in English. Though, they are maybe some words I am not used to hearing or seeing, but asking is usually one way to adapt to one's surroundings. So you would think! If I am luck, I usually go alone, in order to feel the culture and its people and truly enjoy the foods and different drinks presented. Most of the times, I am trapped into an one meal ticket with my group of tech guys who (again, not all of them) must insist that the shopping center in their small town in Middle America is far more superior and has more choices than in South America. Everyone somewhat agrees, while I remain silent on the matter. I not trying to bring out the Che Guevara in me, I sit back and enjoy my sip of wine and fine tasting meat dishes.

They have no desire to try or explore! I am left with my own thoughts, dreaming and thinking of my friends of the La Legione di Resistenza group. Knowing that if they were with me, many streets and buildings would be known and explored. We would have already made friends with locals and enjoying the healthy outlook on life. Instead, I am left with middle-aged men in crisis.

As I said many times before, I don't believe in mid-life crisis. I believe that some people choose to live a certain way, because its safe doing so. Doing the safe thing allows others not to interfere in your life, not worry what you are doing, where you going and who are your friends and speculate about where your life is going or what poor choices you made for yourself. When you don't live up to those standards, you must handle the stress of dealing with questions on top of more questions, and shit that sounds like the last fucking set of questions. You must learn on to get ready to be interviewed and reviewed and finally given your assessment to the questions you provided. Still in the end, you failed to meet up to their standards. Even though, you ain't fucking asking for their approval. They have already wrote out your own auto-biography on how your life was and is and will be, the end! After your auto-biography is written, sold and placed on bookshelf. You could barely have time to read the preface of this great piece of literature with its handsome book cover and the choices of color for the background and oh yeah, you won't be getting any type of residuals for the book either.



By now, I got myself back in order and my stress level has calmed down. I can breath easily now, my skin feels smooth and my neck doesn't feel stiff. Though, I still have to remind myself that I am here on business, but after work, is my free time. I need to use that wisely and as often as I can. Its my time.

Stop the Racial Cash In Gambling

Typical Saturday night, I am out having few drinks with friends at the local bar. I got a text message about a party near by. “why not?” I said. After having few more beers, my friends and I took off. We get to the party and immediately my friend who invited me yelled out my name and I along with my friends were introduced to a group of people from all over the world. The majority in the home were from France. Even with the unique majority of French speakers at this house party, there were a few Americans there as well. I forgot to mention that the theme of this party was a swimming party, if you will?! We were led into the back yard, where other people must have had sometime jumping in and out of the pool. One girl in the group convinced my friend to just jump into the pool with her fully clothed. I was told I was next, but it never happened. And yes I can swim!

With such diverse group of people, ranging from different cultures, races, language, religions, etc, the conversation was light-hearted, friendly and refreshing. We asked each other questions and took the answer with face value and not really going with a following up question, which usually turns into an interview rather than getting to know one another.

Later, a young man stepped into the scene, as he said “hola, que tal?” which I assumed that he must be from Spain or somewhere else, I'll let him state the fact. After rounds of introductions, he and I learned that we were both Americans (in the current setting) and the light-hearted talks turned 'Strange!' He quickly told me that he was for Human Rights (you think anyone would) and he was a member of a Arizona State University's club, which promotes Human Rights and Racial Tolerance (he didn't invite me to join or meet with this group.) I just smiled and “that's cool” response. He then proceeded to tell me that the world would have been better if it weren't for the White Man (I coughed wanting to say bullshit). . . . I just nodded and kept trying to focus on other conversations near by. Oh by the way, he was white! Maybe 30 minutes went by and he saw that I and another person were talking about the situation of the Volcanic ash that has covered most of Europe and how distressed she was that she was not able to go back home anytime soon. The young man (let's call him Eric) then told a story on how he wants to make it legal for his sister to marry with her partner and that he stood up for Gay Rights! After his Microsoft Power Point presentation, he asked me if where I stood on this issue or if I was gay or bi . . (and he left the last category out, not wanting to appear intolerant).

Wow! This guy was tying to cash in his diversity card! I kindly (as always) informed that I was not gay, or bi. Soon, after learning that I was not going be cashed in to his fight for his sister's right to marry, etc. He quickly turned to informed that he was straight and his infinity for women and of course the sexual escapades began to dominate the conversation. In any case, I had to inform him that I was at a party and speaking with everyone and I was having (literally) a good time. At this point, he seemed disappointed, because he was hoping to cash in and hit the lottery. Let's examine how he could have had a big win on the Diversity Gamble Cash in:

1. a party hosted by international students=20 points

2. a European female not being able to return home due to natural disaster=40 points

3. I, an African-American at a party (and I was the only one)=50 points

4. His tolerance for racial diversity=75 points

5. His fight for gay rights and marriage=80 points

His gambling Lost:

1. no one was interested in his state of the union -200 points

2. the conversations were nothing related to what he inserted -100 points

3. I nor anyone else happened to be gay or bi-sexual -200 points

Let me put simply this way. If you are a person who truly believes in racial harmony, diversity, tolerance of different religions, political view points, women's rights, gay rights or freedom for all. First, you have to calm down! Your tolerance only will be reflected if you just be yourself! Making friends and becoming a good and a true friend are the first steps to the world of diversity and tolerance on any level. Listen and don't assume! Now, we are all guilty for the lack of diversity and tolerance, etc. We are all racists, homophobes, sexists, bigots and at times extremists. This be a shock to many of you who cash in Diversity and tolerance, but you are being watched and under surveillance. Just simply walking up to a person who is different from you or you assuming to be different from you doesn't mean you are an example of tolerance and diversity.

Recently, I had a former friend who couldn't get over the fact that I wasn't like other black people and that I was a good example for other black men. I stopped to tell him that I was not a good example for other black men! In fact, I am an example of other good black men, like my father! I wasn't solely raised by black people and I was not raised to be like white people either, my influences are from all walks of life. And too, I informed him that like I tell many others, if you want to find the stereotype, you will! Because, you have already determined that on how one's race will be behave. Or, if you don't find the stereotype, then you will feel that you are being lied to or you suddenly can't trust what is presented in front of you. People of different backgrounds want to be respected not interviewed or used as a study for racists agendas or racial profiling. Calm down and take a deep breath, we are here on this one planet.

La Legione di Resistenza, we have failed!

It was almost two years ago that I was able to travel to South America with my friends, Attila, Don Julio, John Howard and Sam Haffner. Two years ago! In travel man's time, that almost a century ago! I failed to live up to my own standards and thus I have failed you. I failed because I have taken on more debt that I don't or didn't need. I acquired more stuff to live by and as much as I felt I was being indifferent from everyone else, I wanted to be accepted. Being accepted is a natural way of being human and its only natural that I wanted to be closer to the people I can truly call, friends. Even with the close friends I have made, its time for me to be honest. Over the years, I have made a life for myself, of being always single, available for the next journey and while I am not going “on world traveling” I ride my bike around town, even in the 115 degree heat. In short, I must leave. My good friend, Attila left less than a day ago for Ecuador. His return at this moment is unknown. I want to relive that feeling of moving along in the world without time or will to return home. I want, however to travel back to South America and teach English. The journey that I have planned out will be first going to Colombia. From Colombia to Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and Argentina. After Argentina, I will move over to Montevideo, Uruguay. There, I will spend a great time not only teaching English, but traveling around this small country and visiting small towns along the southern coast of Brazil.

La Legione di Resistenza is not about a history about me or what my friends or what we accomplished once before. We are making history, which I want you to be a part of. This is about the life of who we are! As much as I have shared many of my pictures and blogs entries of travels and adventures; simply not traveling and being here is not enough for who we are as travelers. Just recently, I tried to apply for a position with STA travel as a Travel Expert. I felt that this position would be perfect for a person like myself and the idea of helping others to pursue the passion of traveling would be far rewarding. Sadly, I somehow did not meet to their criteria. It bummed me out a bit, but I had to realize something that I have known for a long, long, long time that no company, can give you the freedom that traveling can. I have worked for airlines, hotels, lodges, resorts and many so-called places of leisure; to only find myself trapped working behind a desk or taking food up elevators and having credit cards thrown at me and not having any manager approving my time to sejourn away from work.

This travel journey, my friends have been planned since I was as young as 8 years old. I am glad to have you all as my friends and somehow I knew that one day, I would meet special people like you all. Even our friendship and the bound we share, I knew even back then, that money would be a factor into the matter. Even with or without money, the passion of going on travel adventures will never stop. Its not the travel bug, its my life! As much as, I want to have many of you to come along with me and I believe some of you will, but the sad truth is many aren't able to come along for various of reasons. Even with these real-life realities, I still ask you to give yourself a chance and go and try it out. I cannot be that person who works more than 9 to 5 or working four ten hour shifts or worry about the rumors and gossip or who's doing who and what you have heard, which I will admit, I have enjoyed the DL of gossip at times. But after seeing good people being fired for stupid reasons and watching their lives being destroyed by not having another job, or having the unemployment office denying their benefits, its just made me beyond angry and frustrated but sad to know that these good people deserve better in life. Soon, I will become one of these people. I too will soon loose my job due to circumstances beyond my control.

La Legione di Resistenza, we must get back to our roots! We cannot continue to feed the work-machine! We cannot be measured or judged by work-managerial metrics! We are free to wander and experience the vast nature of this world. We are language, we are culture and new friends await for us. Why are we wasting time? 6 months to a year, let's meet at the summit and make new journeys and adventures. I await for your reply.

La Legione di Resistenza

very Arizona weather!

Check out this video: Hurricane Arizona!

Traveling While Black. . . Race Matters. Part II

The Struggle Continues

I was traveling a month back, for about 3 weeks. First, I went to visit a friend in Montreal and then over to New Brunswick and finally down to Providence, Rhode Island. I had a great time; the time away was well worth it. I am forwarding some hyper-links so you can check out my journey. You remember that blog I posted some years ago, “Traveling While Black, Race Matters?” Well that journey is still with me…. as much as I like to have a break from it all, I am forever confronted with the strange friendly dialogues with whites, which usually I find myself more puzzled and confused. I will give you one example. I was passing through this small in the state of Maine coming from Canada. In any case, I decided to take sometime before taking the bus to my next destination. I ended up having a beer and some Fish n’ Chips at a local tavern in town. While trying to enjoy my meal and my beer, there was this white guy, appearing to be in his mid twenties, college student, sitting next to me, asking the usual: where are you from, where are you going, what brings you here, your name, etc, which I am always delighted meeting new people. I don’t recall his name, but let’s call him Chandler!

The light conversation was pleasant for the most part, considering whenever I am traveling, I am more opened to diverse conversations, with limits, of course. While my short time at this local tavern was ending, Chandler then turned the conversation around about girls, hooking up, sex etc. Which normally I don’t have a problem with that, but from my experience this conversation dialogue switch is an indirect way to establish one’s sexual orientation. I just smiled while listening to his fairy-tales about other women and his stories of sexual adventures, though I should have at this point, told him that I also have a thing for women, which might had given him a sigh of relief or feeling calmed, but stating that was not important then or even now for that matter. So, after talking about his most recent girlfriend, he went so far to say that I must be lucky with the ladies, because according to him “black guys are really good getting women into bed. And if you were to stay in this town, with your luck, you could get with all the women in this town with your color!” At that point, I just smiled and lied by telling him that I was happily married. With the look of embarrassment, Chandler proceeded to ask if my wife was also black and if she were also good in bed (why would this guy know if I was good in bed in the first place?) I could have said that my wife was white and from Sweden, but even I didn’t go there. Chandler maintained a friendly tone to his voice and his mannerisms, but he finally got me to notice that it was time to leave, but he really had to know “if it was true that all black men have a large penis?” With time on my side, the waiter quickly got my bill, I paid in cash, left a tip, thanked the Chandler for the great conversation but “I gotta run!” Chandler probably didn’t get his answer and I felt sorry for the next black man who might stop into this bar.

I am writing about this experience because, as much as most people would probably concentrate on the racial aspect of this situation, which I would have at first, but fuck as much this was a disturbing conversation, which I run into frequently. However, it made me to think about how easily to be blinded to the racial homoeroticism among white men and their fixation with black male sexuality. From my experience, it seems that white men are more forward (in a joking way of course) about their curiosities about black men more so than white women. If they already fell into "Once you go black, you don't go back" theory, will they share that same story with Heather? This is not say nor do I care that these men are in the closet, either curious or bi-sexual, in fact, I don’t care if they were, as well as, I find it necessary to label their sexual orientation, unless they feel it is necessary to state the fact. The conversation defiantly had racial overtones, assuming that I seeking to test my blackness in order to have sex with white women, and my supposedly wife who is black and she's good in bed; and that I was lucky with my skin color with women. However, Chandler as well as like most white men fail to ask at least about any lucky into finding a job?! A place to live, where to go to school, where my parents can retire, and a friendly restaurant where I can eat in peace, a safe neighborhood, the list goes on. Instead, a black man’s luck is with his dark skin and his dark colored penis!

I told this same story to a friend of mine. His only suggestion was to avoid isolated white states. I had to tell him that it doesn’t matter if this situation happens in Maine to Montana or from Alaska to Arizona. Racism is not isolated in one place; sure if might be more out in the opened or better yet, not confronted as it would be in places like Los Angeles, New York or Chicago. But, even mentioning those cities, doesn’t mean that racism is not a problem in those places, it’s not just obvious within the police officers, but it’s obvious when it comes to residential zoning, etc. I would like your input to race and sexuality and I apologize if I just wrote excessively much.

La Legione di Resistenza

but yo! we can do this!

Oh you wanna Sully up a joint?!

see you try to front, play games and try to play cool. You're a fraud! You say that I come too strong on a motherfucker, but hey, if you can't handle fear, then cease getting into scary situations and get yo weak ass out of my face. You say that I act like I am all that a bag of spicy nacho chips. Hey, check this out, if you are unable to handle the spice flavorunies, you too can put down the bag! Your bag of chips lacks flavor, but you have to hate on others. You claim to know bitches, but they never claim to know you, why is that? I can only guess, but I don't have fucking time to think about yo ass. In fact, it just pisses me off just even giving this a thought. But no worries, yo ass will pay for wasting my time writing this shit down, punk ass! Oh what else? oh yeah, what is up with you switching roles? This is ain't The Young and The Restless motherfucker! You ain't no star of da show. You just need to get yo motherfucking ass off the stage and quit holding those lines, because there ain't no motherfucking scene. But yo punk ass keep it up, there will be a scene of you and my foot up yo ass. And action! Cut! That was a great scene! And I won the Oscar for fucking you up, now what?

Oh, oh, yo girl is trying to fill yo head up with something to say. Yeah, let her make you think you can take me down. Get this homie, I will not only fuck you up, but get her in my room after I am done knocking you out. After I am done with her, she can go back to you and you two just going to have to get through yah heads: "I guess he ain't to be fucked with, what were we thinking?" See I like that scene. Oh, oh, you know everything about me now? Oh really, well since you know every motherfuckin' thing about me, did you know that I know how to fuck you up? Did you know that? Did you know that I can find a way to snatch yo ass up and knock you down? Oh you didn't know that! My bad!

Don't smile at me motherfucker, you need to brush them yellow curried ass teeth of yours in the first motherfucking place. You walk around like no one notices those bright hot lemon colored crowns of yours, youz a fool! And what is this bullshit? I have an attitude. No fuck-head Sully, its confidence. Oh you can't tell the difference between attitude and confidence. Hmm, I figured you wouldn't since you don't have any confidence in the first motherfucking place. I would explain the difference with yah, but you are waste of my time, bitach! Oh and other shit about me acting like I know everything. Sorry to interrupt your normal programming for this special news bulletin. This is not an act, I do know everything. Unlike, yo ass, I ain't go walking around not knowing shit, you stupid fuck!

So the next time, you wanna step to me with some bullshit, you best be in the know! I comes correct. Take that you fucking Sully!

La Legione di Resistenza

An update on recent blog post

Dear Friends,

Here is an update from my recent post regarding Attila. I should have mentioned that if you are going to make a deposit into his account with Bank of America, when doing so, you must inform the teller that this account under:

Justin Hurst
Account number: 72600331

You must indicate that this account is from Idaho.

Plus, Attila understands that many of us are unable to deposit a lot of money, due to our current financial situation, gas prices, cost of living, etc. Attila is just asking to donate whatever you can, $5, $10 or even $20 dollars. Recently, I was in contact with many our friends who are willing to help him out. At the same time, there have been critics. I won’t go into detail, because this not about a debate, this about helping a friend. I am asking that we put aside all what we may think our friend ought to be doing, or what he should be doing, or investigate further into how he got into trouble in the first place or even about how he has more advantages over the rest of us. I say this, because, we all have benefited from his generosity, his friendship and his kind offerings; and yes even with his advantages.

Many are wondering about my position on this matter and why I am taking the time to post such bulletin. As many of you already know, I too have traveled to many places around the world and around America. I have been in many precarious situations and I have been stuck too. I ran into trouble by accident, situations occurred where I needed money. There have been times, when I called a friend or friends for help, and they helped out, some argued, because they were stuck working at their job and not being able to get out into the world. I listened and understood where they were coming from. Often times, it was suggested that I should have stayed at home, worked more, settle down, get married, plan things out carefully for the next time, etc. I agreed to their criticism not in order to get the money, I agreed because, in many ways, I am no different from other people. I too work full time Monday through Friday, sometimes even on the weekends; and yes even my jealously comes into play from time to time. Though, I try to carefully express my feelings when offering advice or even money for that matter. Plus, I know that the name of my blog "Enjoy Life, Work Less" doesn't help build a case to help our friend either. But, we know all too well that our friend, Attila is very careful type of person and just maybe, he overlooked the possibility of money running out. But friends, even with our criticism, we all know what it’s like when shit just happens. I apologize if I have expressed too much on the matter, but like you, I just happen to care for a good friend who is in need.

Thanks,

Sidney Huff, aka La Legione di Resistenza

Help! Join in helping our friend, our hero, Attila

Let the Journey continue!

Dear Friends,

Over the years, our friend, has shared his life of adventures, travels, books, music and knowledge of politics, society and true meaning of friendship. Like many of you, I have kept in contact with Attila and his whereabouts. Though, it seems to be a mystery on how or why Attila chose to live a life of traveling. There are many reasons why our friend lives to see the world. Last year, Attila kindly asked several of us to travel along with him to South America. That was probably the best journey in my life.

Though, I like many of you have already had traveled with Attila. Some may not be aware of this, but to travel with Attila is truly a cultural experience. Attila seeks to be involved in every region, country and the diverse types of people he meets. While traveling abroad, Attila keeps this journey alive by video-recording, writing and photography. In addition, Attila encourages those who travel with him to not only to open their minds to the possibilities, but to take part of this travel journal/documentary.

Though, I can go on forever about the great friendship, which many of us developed with our friend, but right now our friend needs our help. Attila just recently informed me of financial situation. Attila is running out of money and at the moment, he is working at a hostel, which covers his stay; this does not include food and transportation. Though, Attila is known to handle being in most situations and at times, he can find a solution to his dilemma. Plus, it would be easy to tell our friend to just simply come back home and wait for another window of opportunity. We know that our friend, Attila is in the opportunity! Right now, he just needs our help.

I am urgently asking and begging for your help to keep this journey alive. Whatever you can give will go directly to Attila himself. I am providing his bank account number, where you can easily make a donation for whatever amount, anything can help our friend in need:

Justin Hurst
Bank of America
Account number: 72600331

Friends, please show that you care and let’s return the favor to a great person who has shared so much. Whatever you can donate will be appreciated.

Thanks everyone.

Relaxing, Chilling at home in Tempe

Sometimes, I just really enjoy being at home. After, just relaxing in the backyard or spending the weekends working on the lawn or cleaning the house. Maybe it is a form of relaxation. Summer is coming around, enjoy it while you can!





















At the end of the day, I can finally get some sleep on the most relaxing place in the world. My bed!

L'alleanza socialista per cambiamento politico radicale

Where the liberals go and why there is no call for true radical change.


Or a Socialist Alliance for radical political change:

I am going to say it straight, no curves no side-stepping, out in the open, straight up:
Radical change will not come from the following: skinny guys, EMO, vegans, markets like Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Tattoo parlors, Jessica Simpson, Britney Spears, Oprah, and those who are obsessed with organic food products and especially from the NPR community.

Why?

EMO and/or skinny guys: they are the same person. Either way, they are too depressed about life and they are more concerned about trying to fit into a size 27 pair of jeans than if poor children in their own neighborhoods are without proper clothing just to go to school.

Vegans: a group of people who are part of a unknown cuisine elite. Part of a gastronomic cult of people usually from the elite suburbs who are out of touch with reality.

Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s: these markets are part of the masquerade to make people believe that they are helping the world by purchasing over priced foods that advertise having an all natural appeal to eating. If the common customer is so concerned about the world, why don’t they ask the store manager to allow poor people to use their food stamps to get some healthy food. Oops, that would go against their upper middle class lifestyle. They can buy some almond butter from the poor but don’t want the poor shopping along with them.

Tattoo Parlors: these people who hang out or around these places would put a front pretending to be radicals, out-spoken, artistic, etc. These places are ubiquitous like Starbucks. These tattoo radicals would pretend that they come from working class background. Let the truth be known, they are living well up in the hills with their parent, they have several stock investments and owing a couple of properties in New Mexico.


Jessica Simpson: She voted for George Bush, shall I proceed?

Britney Spears: I don’t mind marijuana usage, but whatever she is on………………………………..I won’t proceed.

Oprah: she won’t ask the true tough questions to celebrities like Madonna, Tom Cruise, and many more. She tries to shed light on the falling educational system in our country, but she will not dare point the fingers in the direction of those who are fully responsible. Because those (the people who are responsible) are paying her very well.


Last but not least, NPR: the radio broadcast to keep people thinking that they are being well informed and for their weekly participation, listeners are provided a weekend show, known as the A Prairie Home Companion. This show does everything but relate to the problems in the inner city and call for revolutionary change. It’s a very weak way of saying “I just want to go shopping for my organic foods and maybe one day things will work out for the poor”

what were we before?

What were we before?


Have you thought about how we used to handle real life situations? You remember it was easy to make a friend or talk to a complete stranger? Or how we were able to find one another? What’s my address? Who am I or who are you? Or let’s go deeper, who are we? And what have we become?

I remember when I was about 12 years old. I would go with my friends to the Arcade. The Arcade, a place where it was full of loud noise of video games: Donkey Kong, Asteroids, Pac-Man, 1943, Frogger, and my all time favorite, TRON! Those were the days, when me and my friends would beg our parents for $5 dollars to get tokens to play video games for hours. But the Arcade was also a social scene: you had punks, video jockeys, players, girls, music, the latest fashion action gear (aka, Addidas,) un-necessary peer pressures and a clock in the middle of this arcade to remind you when it was time to go home. But one day, someone came up an idea to make a computer where you could play games at home instead of wasting money at the Arcade. The thought of having a personal computer almost knocked me over. My parents saw it as a good educational investment, considering that even back then, my parents kinda had an idea of the futuristic information age.



Even with this personal computer, I was able to play games, make up certain programs and even it was illegal back then, make copies of games and sell them to kids at my local junior high school. There were some who were able to go so far as hacking into certain systems, to change grades or make financial decisions for others or for themselves. This was way before today’s notion of hacking or terrorism. Of course, when I asked my parents about getting a modem, which was about 300 baud, imagine that now?!



The movie, War Games was just the beginning of society attack on the youth. The very thought that the youth could have the control of the destiny of mankind. Not only were my parents were concerned about the possibility of having the CIA or the FBI kicking in our suburban home, but even the other parents in our small neighborhood would have meetings about this 300 baud modem and the dangers from this device.

Since the thought of a young 13 year old boy with no chance of getting girlfriend, was sitting in his room planning to destroy mankind, my parents like most, decided to get me an Atari 2600. Wow! More games, more fun! Though the graphics were not as snazzy like my commodore 64, but still provided a change from using the computer. Even with the commodore 64 and Atari 2600, the Arcade was still the hang out.

You remember when that one neighbor, the rich classy type who had something way superior to the VHS. VHS? What could be better than VCR. Yes, of course it was the super VHS. I mean, VHS was way better than BETA! BETA was like having 8-track radio player in your car. The Audio cassette tape is the latest invention, get with the times! Ha! That classy neighbor movie was on laser disc! Wooooooo! Laser disc! Supposedly, the movies were crystal clear and you can pause the movies with ultimate clarity. But, only a few of us were privileged to witness such event, because that neighbor’s kids were a bunch of jerks and elitist.

How many of us remember this guy? Of course you do! That was the day, when you could be hanging out with a friend and all of sudden, you hear this beeping noise and that friend has to run to a pay phone to call the number on his beeper back! The Pay-Phone folks! Yeah, you remember that guy?

It seemed around this time that the level of communication was lagging. You couldn’t keep a conversation going without hearing that beeper going off. In fact, don’t you remember when the one beeper went off, everyone started checking his or her pockets or jackets? Of course, later on, having a beeper meant also that you were selling drugs. For me a guy working for Swiss Bank and the Brotha hustling drugs were, well in my mind, the same guy, but living in two different sides of town. Sorry, just my opinion!

Now what about this guy?! You remember seeing that business guy who would have a portable size public phone attached to the side of his face. Yeah, folks that was the pimp style cell phone back in the day. Of course having such pimp-super flya playa type of cell phone was very costly. $8.00 dollars a minute was the standard and probably the cheapest for the times.

Now, what the hell do we have? Once upon a time, we would see a person walking and talking to himself. Automatically, we were told that person must be mentality ill or got a few screws loose. It was accepted knowledge to believe in such notion. What do we see walking around the streets or people in passing cars? They call it today’s communication fashion statement, the infamous ear piece headset. Once upon a time, we would have stopped everything we were doing in order to see the guy who was having a full on conversation by himself. And now, we just accept the notion that there is strong possibility that he is speaking with a colleague on his ear-cell phone headset without any thought that person might actually be NOT speaking with anyone on the his cell phone.

Cell Phones are everywhere and they are destroying nature and natural connection between people. Go the movie theater, during the previews, you will have some guy arguing with his girlfriend on the phone about how we broke her wine glass. Or what about those wanna-be hikers who buy all their clothes from REI? They got their special gear, boots, hats and hiking sticks, even though the terrain is flat as pancakes, somehow, they manage to bring along their blackberry and talking to their broker on the phone about some property they have in Nevada! Or what about those who carry a GPS with them? Don’t get me wrong, if we were hiking around some real deep dark forest region around Montana or up in Western Canada with dirt roads and the last human face we saw was about 4 hours ago. Hell, let’s use the GPS to figure out how to get out of this place! But do we ever find ourselves in these situations? Really, do we? No! We don’t!

Just like the lack of Arcade hang outs, fast pace computers, wireless connections, cell phones, ear-piece or not, we are not the same people like we were just less than 10 years ago. We are not in the information age. We are in the individual age. We have individualized our section of the world. We place names and numbers within a small memory space in a cell phone. If you loose your cell phone, will you remember your best friend’s number? What is your sister’s address? When was the last time you wrote someone a letter? Not an e-mail! A letter! Postcards are now a zipp file!
As much as I can point out the lack of human interactions, I would be foolish to tell you that I am not guilty. Like many of you, I am a part of this new world and I make an effort to do things on my own without needing a gadget to help me find my way around or back the way I just came.

Let’s find one another, the natural way. Let’s meet at the same place. . . . .

Lonelsome Traveler, that is who I am!!

So it seems that the adventure team, La Legione di Resistenza has moved on. Attila is heading back down to Brazil, Nate is thinking of teaching in South Korea and I am still here in Arizona working and paying off bills. Many may wonder if the Garmisch Reunion was a sign of an end of a legend? I pray that it is not. . . . in any case, I will go back out into the world alone. Seeking new adventures, travels and seeing the world again but without my friends. Maybe we will meet again. Pray for La Resistenza!

Now, this was fun!!

This was an awesome bike ride. Nils, Rufus and I went on a great bike ride around Saguaro Salt Lake ride, which was about 20 miles round trip. Luckly my friends had bikes with different gears, I had a cruiser with no special gears or brakes! But hell, I did it!!

American woman, Stay Away from me, Part II

Actress Sharon Stone is tempted to date other women becaise men "aren't masculine enough" anymore.

The Basic Instinct star insists she'd consider dating within her own sex, and believes dating a woman would make for a great relationship.

She says, "Everybody is bisexual to an extent. Now men act like women and it's difficult to have a relationship because I like men in that old-fashioned way. I like masculinity and, in truth, only women do that now."

"If you go on a date with a woman, they call and say, 'I'm going to pick you up at seven.' They take you somewhere great and you can dress like a chick."


-hmmmm, interesting maybe this book might help:

2008 candidati presidenziali, il nemico alla democrazia

The enemies of democracy lineup. La Legione di Resistenza does not endorse the following:

• Civil Rights Act was more about property than race relations. (Dec 2007)
• Socialized medicine won't work; nor managed care. (Oct 2007)
• "I think we can safely assume that 95 percent of the black males in that city are semi-criminal or entirely criminal."
• referred to African-American rioters as "barbarians" and suggested that the riots only stopped when it came time for "blacks to pick up their welfare checks".
• Plus if you have to carefully observe the types of people he attracts in this election!
  
  
  
  

• Would be delighted to sign federal ban on all abortions. (Nov 2007)


• Marriage pre-dates our Constitution & shouldn't de redefined. (Mar 2007)
  
• had way too many plastic surgery and plus why trust a guy who looks like a Ken doll?
  
  
  

• No affirmative action for state contracts nor colleges. (Nov 2002)


• Opposes "hate crimes" legislation. (Sep 2007)


• Build more prisons, and privatize their management. (Nov 2002)


• Support displaying the Ten Commandments in public schools. (Nov 2002)


• Follow Boy Scout rule: leave earth better than we found it. (May 2007)


• Israel should not give up West Bank or Golan Heights. (Nov 2007)


• Pastors & politicians have same skill set in common. (Jun 2007)


• and want this guy as your president?
  
  
  

• Considered police brutality in Louima case an aberration. (Jan 2007)
  
• Giuliani backs police in Bronx killing. (Mar 2000)


• Stand against Chavez's & Castro's form of dictatorship. (Dec 2007)


• As mayor, asked Yasir Arafat to leave concert both attended. (Jan 2007)


• No socialized medicine; give vouchers to the poor. (Apr 2007)
  
• and He's a fucking asshole!
  

la nostra posizione politica

Though the upcoming presidential elections are near, many are wondering what position does La Legione di Resistenza stand on. After carefully observing all the canadidates, we (La Legione di Resistenza) endorses Obama for president of the United States of America.......................and yes just because we need a change!!

Man! Stop being foolish and Rise Up!

You have wasted my time with your complaints and your so-called lonely life. You think that just a few days is enough for me to listen on how you have not made any chances for change. You are idiot to think that life is supposed to be on hold while you try to score at every chance you get. Your thought of scoring is pathetic and you are a sore looser. You rather live life as a weak man. You wait on your knees thinking that she is going to compliment you for waiting for her as she spent all her time having fun, meeting new people, making love and shopping and there you were waiting for her just to see you! And guess what?! She will see you for what you are, Nothing! You have tried to limit my mind to thinking beyond the everyday norm.


You have failed trying to stop intelligent thoughts and intelligent people to speak freely. Your fear is getting the best of you. You wait at my door to only to hold a stop sign of free flowing thoughts to only to be trapped in your quest for stupidity and ignorance. Have you learned from all this time? Instead of asking yourself this question, you rather spend more time wondering about me and what might be my problems. You fool, I am in a place in this world where I have shown you time and time again, and yet, you stand there thinking that I will be there for you.

You think that you can persuade me to alter my path of enlightenment, travels and new ideas in order to walk down the unknown path, which you have created filled with uncertainties, lost trails and leading to no where.

Though, my words are harsh and direct. In the end, I have to thank you for you being you. You being you and you taking these routes in life help me to grown and learn. You help me create the theories and philosophies of stories of foolish ways of men like yourself. Before, I would have wasted my time and patience trying to help you, encouraging you to be a better man. Over time, I come to realize that you are incapable of being such person. Even with that thought, I must accept your reality and must limit my time with you.

La Legione di Resistenza, FAQ!

La Legione di Resistenza has been recently asked why aren’t there entries about relationships, love, traveling with one’s girlfriend, buying a house and the lack of positive female related issues or themes on this blog.

The answer is quit simple, this is a disclaimer, folks:

La Legione di Resistenza promotes a life away from the so-called “what you are supposed to do” lifestyles. We believe that these lifestyles are very easy to come by, however, these lifestyles does not promote adventure, travel, romance (in the traveling sense) confidence, self-identity. In today’s society, a man will work more than 40 hours a week and still does not have enough to take a vacation, date and take time for himself. The result: depression, suicide, lack of confidence, over-spending and going into debt. The so called solution most will follow: get married, get into a relationship or buy a house. Though, these ideas are soothing in a temporary sense and what is not told is that this isn't for everyone. In regards to positive female perspective, I highly encourage women to do more writings like these to help men to think for themselves, have hobbies, and make friends and travel!

La Legione di Resistenza does not have the time or patience to promote relationships (whether it’s one way or another) it just not supported here! Relationships are for the most part, are forever advertised and often times, people are often made feel that they are not meeting up to societal dating standards. In addition, relationships are made to appear easy to come by and if they are not: our theory is that it’s simply not meant to be and there are other reasons why such relationship for such individual is not possible. We simply encourage one to go outside of oneself and seek other lands, places and go out and meet new people and take a break for a least one year or two away from the so-called normality of his life.

La Legione di Resistenza does not support writings for the common person to read and will not alter or change our format in order to appeal to the sensitivity of today’s easily offended members of society.

La Legione di Resistenza does not support so-called work ethic. However, we believe in work but not in today’s traditional sense, the Individual! We believe in team building, working together and promoting one another to reach the goal, whatever that may be.

La Legione di Resistenza promotes an escape for those who seek an alternative from their daily lives.


Thank you for choosing La Legione di Resistenza!