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Every now and then I'm brought back to Gaia Online. Not for long, and I usually never post more than one or two things. Since I spend my free time not working or reading or gaming or studying online, I just end up browsing the internet, and then Gaia comes back. Recently, my IRL friend and I got talking about Gaia and how we spent way too much money on this site, and I inherited the items in his account. It's spurts like this that really bring me back, and every time I come back, I just realize how there's nothing much that really keeps me attached.

Seven years ago I joined this site out of fun. A bunch of online friends whom I've stopped interacting with years ago told me to come and join them and so I did. I've made a few friends whom I still talk to, but for the most part Gaia has been pretty much just a past era in my life. I don't hate it but I can really see the differences from my active years until now. I consider myself active from 2004 to 2009...quite a chunk of time!

Since then I've changed considerably. I'm not much of an anime fan anymore...I've grown out of the blind fan love of it and I've become more critical about anime. More than just anime, I've become more critical about movies, about games, and other media. I've begun to feel that in a day and age that free time is a premium, I want to evaluate whether a certain piece of entertainment media is worth my continued time investment. I've stopped playing much RPGs, as I've become a bit of a competitive fighting game player. Finally, I just grew up. I'm not a teen anymore...I'm a working adult.

So there's some sort of nostalgia connection that I'm on this site. That's one of my weaknesses I suppose. It's that sense of nostalgia that made me come back and keep all the virtual items, and why my friend agreed to donate his stuff to me. Sorta like Virtual hoarding!

Anyways, that's all I have to say here. I sort of felt that it is time to do a little self reflection of my time away from here. I don't think anyone will ever read this, but it's always good to put down thoughts on paper and/or electronic media!

I'm back after so long, but I don't know how long I'll be back. I'm not surprised that nothing's changed, but I'm more surprised that a few people are still kickin' on Gaia!

Nothing too important, but I got a netbook. Finally, some work utility in my hands, and small enough to suit my love of small tech! heart

I'm a skeptic. I am also an atheist. It is also one of the most interesting things whenever the discussion about the paranormal arises with me and my mother.

Today was a rather interesting case, because I have never seen my mother so fervent in her belief before. Now, she is a person who was born and raised in Hong Kong, and thus she grew up in a culture which was steeped in superstitions. This creates, to me, a very fascinating world view, in which the supernatural is something that exists on the edge of every day life, something that is all too real, yet spectral and out of our reach.

Today's discussion started when both of us caught part of an episode of Paranormal State. Being partially disabled as she is and unable to work, she spends most of the day socializing or watching TV, and Paranormal State is one of the shows on her rotation. As usual, and I admit that perhaps whenever this show is on, I'm trying to pick some kind of fight, but mom really hooks onto it. She tells me that I should be more respectful of these kinds of cases, and that ghosts are real and my attitudes towards these things can be dangerous.

It wasn't much of a surprise to hear this. Not her fault, but it is a matter of her upbringing. Our discussion started with me quoting my statement that I do not believe in ghosts because there is not enough evidence to prove their existence. I talk about how human testimony is unreliable, and how hauntings do not seem to be replicated whenever reputable scientists and equipment is brought in. I talk about how there is no criteria to even define WHAT a ghost is, and what separates it from the mind, body, and consciousness. True to her upbringing, mom stuck to her guns, until finally a coincidental phone call ended our talk...or was it a sign from my ancestors?

This episode though really helps me affirm what I hold true and dear to my heart, the idea of skepticism. I look at my mother and just wonder what it would have been like for her had she grew up to be skeptical instead of superstitious. In my case, it has allowed me to become a better thinker and person, and to have avoided being a "sheep" amongst the herd. Such superstitions are still very powerful in my mother's life, putting her on a path that she has to or cannot do certain things to appease the spirits in which she believes in.

Such a thing as superstition is just powerful, and the implications of that can be seen, when used more dangerously. Organized religion breeds zealous groups who use such beliefs as a tool to frighten others or indoctrinate members, and some fanatical sects go as far as to cause violence and overt harm to others. Such a thing necessitates critical thinking and skepticism, because to do otherwise can potentially lead down a dangerous path that ends in bloodshed and violence. Although my mom is hardly dangerous, such a mindset where she will immediately jump to a conclusion without even a thought of thinking about it is one that is dangerous, and one that zealous types hook onto.

To conclude, skepticism is an often important and necessary skill to learn. It is more than just debunking ghosts and UFOs, but it also helps in the analysis of information that people throw at you. Without it, we are lost in a sea of darkness, and easily fall prey to those who take advantage of such a situation. So next time you hear a voice, or see something in the corner of your eye, think about it. It may not be as supernatural or scary as you initially think.

Forty years ago this day Apollo 11 landed the first manned crew to the moon. This historic mission took humanity into it's first fledgling steps into the vastness of space!

Almost that time of year, summer...where I get to do a lot of stuff I don't like to do.

Lol

And stuff I like to do, of course. But I suppose you can't have the good without the bad, eh?

Happy 150th, Oregon! heart

I'm a big GI Joe fan, I'll be blunt. I wanted to play with the toys that my brother did growing up, and one of those things he had in his collection were GI Joes. We had quite the collection, but as kids are concerned, they ended up getting destroyed during our childhood, much to my dismay.

So when I heard there is to be a GI Joe movie, two things immediately came to mind.

1) HOLY s**t YES!

2) OH GOD HOLLYWOOD IS GOING TO ******** IT UP.

And sure enough, Hollywood did ******** it up. If you're even remotely familiar with GI Joe, you'll see how much of a travesty this s**t is. I'll just let the trailer speak for itself:
http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=52443

A JOURNAL ENTRY! sweatdrop

Not much to say, but school, Warhammer Online, and what not. Oh, and it is COLD 'N WINDY now. Ahhhh, just like the good ol' times. heart