Out where I live, In Anderson County Tennessee, it's about as far away from city lights as anywhere in the state. I can stand out in the open yard, looking up at the mikly clear sky of stars on a cold autumn night, and marvel. It reminds me of the journey we all take, hurtling upon the earth, through reaches of outerspace. The landscapes of different earth regions, filled with humans hurting, struggling, living, happy, thriving, dying, diseased.
It makes me reflect on these, the days of my youth. How one day it's sitting in a bedroom of toys, lost in a childish world of imagination. The next day, you're nervous driving your father's car to pick up that girl for your very first school dance. Graduation. College. Always, hurtling through the expanse of stars, circling the sun, over, and over, and over, and over. Choices, mistakes, reflection. Always in hind sight. Oh, to do over again. The faces. Faces, fading in memory like they never really existed, anyway. But they did. Souls you encounter along the way. Learning love. Learning patience, disdain, bitterness, friendship.
The vast expanse of stars in the sky always make me think of the Creator. A God who gently poured all the stars into the vast expanse, like splashing a canister of light into the void. The God who created rulers, kingdoms, canyons, clouds, and mountains. He was there throughout all history, and He knows my name. Isiah 45:18 says "For this is what the LORD says— he who created the heavens, he is God; he who fashioned and made the earth, he founded it; he did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited— he says: 'I am the LORD, and there is no other."
On a night like this, the pure expanse of the sky ignites a sobering humility inside me. An exciting, life-giving, sober humility. I breath a prayer, deep in my heart, for mercy to be upon me. I am a selfish person, so God's mercy be upon me. And, looking up into the milky way, in the cool night air, I realize my heart is not alone. A still small voice breaks through. It says, "I love you."
Friday, October 3, 2008
Monday, August 25, 2008
President Evan, 2009 - 2012
The Presidential election is just over two months away. It's kind of fun to imagine what it would be like to be elected President. I've given this some thought, and I've read a little bit about past Presidents. I've got a few ideas about what I would do if I were President.
This is pure fantasy, but here is an excerpt from my imaginary Inaugural address if I were elected President, 2008.
This is pure fantasy, but here is an excerpt from my imaginary Inaugural address if I were elected President, 2008.
"I would like to start my address by thanking my political campaign opponent, Ted Danson, for a good contest. The fight was long, and in the end, we can join together in unity as Americans. I would also like to thank Mr. Danson for eight wonderful years of entertainment as the star of 'Cheers'. I wish you luck in the future as you continue to serve this country, on and off television.
I would like to thank President George W. Bush for his dedicated service, strong leadership, and powerful resolve in times of great national distress. I will use his integrity as an inspiration in the new administration.
Finally, I want to thank the American people. The American people, who comprise and operate this great nation. The American people, who have spoken with an overwhelming majority to elect me to the Oval Office. With you, I stand on the national stage to represent freedom, liberty, and the courage of the brave to the rest of the world. May we continue to stand as an example of continued generosity, hope, and strength to countries who may look to us for that kind of strength.
The next four years will be difficult. But America, the most incredible nation on earth, is poised and ready for the challenge. I pledge to focus on victory in Iraq, and escalated peacekeeping efforts with Russia as they continue to exploit Georgia. In my first 100 days, we will launch a new campaign to save Darfur. I will also demand that Congress vote on drilling in Alaska for oil, among other energy solutions, without delay.
Economically, i will consult closely with the new Vice President, Chuck Norris. Envoking the spirit of Calvin Coolidge, I will cut Federal taxes on small business, oil companies, and all Americans will get a 35% Federal tax cut. As Coolidge brilliantly observed, "Economy is the method by which we prepare today to afford the improvements of tomorrow." Under the shadow of Calvin Coolidge's great example, I will cut government programs by approximately 25% in my first year as President. I will veto any wasteful bill, and continue to cut the size of the Federal government budget by approximately 15% per subsequent year of my Presidency. That is a pledge that I make to you, my fellow citizens.
I would also like to welcome the other new members of my administration: Chief of Staff Mitt Romney, Secretary of State Bono from U2, Press Secretary Bill Cosby, and the new Attorney General to my administration, Andy Griffith (as Matlock.)
Thank you. And, God bless America."
Friday, August 22, 2008
bank of america is terrible
A few months ago, I switched banks. I used Bank of America for a year or so, and I was ready to switch. The credit union I use now, which I won't mention, is fantastic. The reason I wanted to switch was because I wanted a bank that was more personal, helpful, and friendly.
This was right around the time the tax stimulus checks were being deposited. The B.O.A. account was empty, except for a few dollars I kept in their to keep it active. One day, I accidentally overdrew my account with my Visa debit card by 2 dollars. Bank Of America's response?
They charged me 175 dollars in fees. Yes, 175 dollars. Because I accidentally overdrew my account 2 dollars. So, when my stimulus check got deposited, my account was -177. So, they took the 175 out of my stimulus check. And, if you think I'm exaggerating, let me tell you what happened next!
I called Bank Of America two separate times. They are trained phone minions. They all tell you the same thing. Both times I called, the women I spoke with proceeded to tell me how the 175 dollars in fees were all my fault, and they were trying to do me a favor by charging these fees. They talked down to me, treated me like I was incompetent, and basically lectured me on how careless I was with my bank account.
That was the final straw. I angrily told the woman that I was going to contact the Office of the Comptroller (Federal office that handles Bank of America complaints.) Then, I hung up on her. Immediately, I filed a complaint with the Office of the Comptroller. The complaint went back and forth between me, the bank, and the comptroller for a few weeks. Finally, the complaint landed on the desk of the CEO of Bank of America.
The resolution? Someone from the office of the CEO of Bank of America sent me a snotty letter explaining that I obviously didn't read all the fine print when I got my account. They included, with the letter, a booklet of all their "fine print".They still didn't admit any fault. The closest they came to admitting any wrongdoing was in the letter. They said something like, "We strive on providing good customer service, but in this case, perhaps we didn't provide the best." And, they included a Bank of America check for the 175 dollars which they stole from me.
Since this incident happened to me, and I fought for my money back, I have learned of several other incidents like this. Almost every person I told about this had a similar story about dreaded overdraft fees.
If you go to google and type in "overdraft fees", it brings up a fascinating landscape of information. Banks charge overdraft fees in a manner that benefits the bank most. And, it's a rip off. I think it should be illegal. I believe these overdraft fees violate the Federal Truth in Lending Act.
In addition, Bank of America is a cold, unfeeling corporate bank that cares nothing for individuals. They prey on young and poor people. We as consumers have to combat this type of bullying by big companies. Here is a fantastic news story about overdraft fees:
http://money.cnn.com/2008/08/12/pf/raw_deal_overdraft/index.htm
Here's another article about it:
http://www.arkansasnews.com/archive/2008/07/20/News/347094.html
This was right around the time the tax stimulus checks were being deposited. The B.O.A. account was empty, except for a few dollars I kept in their to keep it active. One day, I accidentally overdrew my account with my Visa debit card by 2 dollars. Bank Of America's response?
They charged me 175 dollars in fees. Yes, 175 dollars. Because I accidentally overdrew my account 2 dollars. So, when my stimulus check got deposited, my account was -177. So, they took the 175 out of my stimulus check. And, if you think I'm exaggerating, let me tell you what happened next!
I called Bank Of America two separate times. They are trained phone minions. They all tell you the same thing. Both times I called, the women I spoke with proceeded to tell me how the 175 dollars in fees were all my fault, and they were trying to do me a favor by charging these fees. They talked down to me, treated me like I was incompetent, and basically lectured me on how careless I was with my bank account.
That was the final straw. I angrily told the woman that I was going to contact the Office of the Comptroller (Federal office that handles Bank of America complaints.) Then, I hung up on her. Immediately, I filed a complaint with the Office of the Comptroller. The complaint went back and forth between me, the bank, and the comptroller for a few weeks. Finally, the complaint landed on the desk of the CEO of Bank of America.
The resolution? Someone from the office of the CEO of Bank of America sent me a snotty letter explaining that I obviously didn't read all the fine print when I got my account. They included, with the letter, a booklet of all their "fine print".They still didn't admit any fault. The closest they came to admitting any wrongdoing was in the letter. They said something like, "We strive on providing good customer service, but in this case, perhaps we didn't provide the best." And, they included a Bank of America check for the 175 dollars which they stole from me.
Since this incident happened to me, and I fought for my money back, I have learned of several other incidents like this. Almost every person I told about this had a similar story about dreaded overdraft fees.
If you go to google and type in "overdraft fees", it brings up a fascinating landscape of information. Banks charge overdraft fees in a manner that benefits the bank most. And, it's a rip off. I think it should be illegal. I believe these overdraft fees violate the Federal Truth in Lending Act.
In addition, Bank of America is a cold, unfeeling corporate bank that cares nothing for individuals. They prey on young and poor people. We as consumers have to combat this type of bullying by big companies. Here is a fantastic news story about overdraft fees:
http://money.cnn.com/2008/08/12/pf/raw_deal_overdraft/index.htm
Here's another article about it:
http://www.arkansasnews.com/archive/2008/07/20/News/347094.html
Thursday, August 21, 2008
starting brand new
Hey, folks! I've been a "member" of blogger.com for four years now. The context of that original blog centered around my life in L.A. I had a loyal band of readers that were following my adventures in Los Angeles at the time. When myspace erupted in popularity, my blog life was shaken up. I switched to the myspace blog format for a while, although I didn't blog very often. Sadly, however, myspace is dying in the wake of facebook popularity. Personally, I think facebook is annoying. So, what is a young blogger to do?
After some brief soul searching, I decided to start brand new. I'm embracing my blogging future. I'm coming back to blogger. The context of this blog, in 2008, is different than the context of my 2004 Hollywood blog. As a student of improv theatre, I embrace the unknown for the sake of exploring the now. Things have changed for me since 04. I'm in a new place in my life. Some things are better. Some things are worse.
It's an adventure I would like to share with everyone. My life, family, travel, fears, hopes, dreams, puppies, career ambitions, and love. It's all out on the table here. I hope you can excuse my weaknesses and find endearing charm in the honesty. Thank you, loyal blog readers, for joining me.
Currently, I live in east Tennessee. It's beautiful here. I have a beautiful red-headed girlfriend named Tiffany. We have been together about three years. I have a full time job at a company I am not allowed to name. I'm 29, which means I'm barreling toward that terrible age. (You know the one I mean. I dont have to type it out, do I?) It starts with a "3." That's all you get.
After some brief soul searching, I decided to start brand new. I'm embracing my blogging future. I'm coming back to blogger. The context of this blog, in 2008, is different than the context of my 2004 Hollywood blog. As a student of improv theatre, I embrace the unknown for the sake of exploring the now. Things have changed for me since 04. I'm in a new place in my life. Some things are better. Some things are worse.
It's an adventure I would like to share with everyone. My life, family, travel, fears, hopes, dreams, puppies, career ambitions, and love. It's all out on the table here. I hope you can excuse my weaknesses and find endearing charm in the honesty. Thank you, loyal blog readers, for joining me.
Currently, I live in east Tennessee. It's beautiful here. I have a beautiful red-headed girlfriend named Tiffany. We have been together about three years. I have a full time job at a company I am not allowed to name. I'm 29, which means I'm barreling toward that terrible age. (You know the one I mean. I dont have to type it out, do I?) It starts with a "3." That's all you get.
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