New Years Day!

It's a new year tomorrow. 2009. Wow. What do you all remember about the new year?

Let's us review:

1. Barack Obama elected president. Now let's not say this was historic or anything of that nature, but it was. Also, we received a president elect who actually did things, and didn't sit around waiting to be sworn in. I'm young, I'm used to George W. Bush. Guess I'm elated for a new president.
   
2. Stock market went to shit. Enough said on this, and it's still falling. Fun.
3. V for victory in Iraq? Jury is still out on this.
   

Ok, my third point on a year in review is sly sarcasm. There a lot of things America has messed up, but I feel with new leadership this may change. We'll see right?

Mmmm Trials..

So I like trials mountain biking. If I was better, I would do it myself. Here is a random movie I came across. Ryan Dunn, eat it. :)

A Baby Shower

The Paces, Mandy and Eric Pace, are having a boy! I imagine Eric is really excited about learnin a boy. Great photos.

Mandy posing with her lotion. I like lotion too!

That's it, that's all! Check out my flickr for more.

Did I tell you, I'm going to Seattle soon...

Sis and Mom

_MG_4741, originally uploaded by amburn.everett.

Thought I'd post this. Love this photo.

Weather Channel Bias?

Real bias on cable these days, and it starts not with Fox noise or snbc slug fest. No. The Weather Channel. Watch this video and you'll see my point.

Great Video- The Swarm!!

I have the right to

I feel the urgency to comment on how people were denied rights this past election.

No matter how subdued I try to be about proposition 8, it upsets me, it belittles my mind with how people can pass a proposition that denies marriage for same sex couples. Why do people feel the need to do so? Less than one hundred years ago women could not vote because of their sex. Were considered second class citizens even though the sacrificed all for their family or a war. Blacks could not marry one another or another "color."

This battle rages on today with gays not being allowed to marry each other. This is in spite of a divorce rate of over 50%, in spite of love being a joke, and in spite of celebrities marrying for 24 hours. What are you to say, "they" cannot love. "They" are worth nothing of my respect as their happiness is not true happiness. That their love isn't truly love? What happened to treat everyone the way you would like to be treated?

I don't understand this vote, and even after a month of trying to understand it I still don't. What is the reason behind it, is it because they'll raise gay babies, or a "child in this type of lifestyle suffers?" All studies say those reasons are false and fiction. I see no harm in this "lifestyle" since you may believe it is a choice. Tell me, leave a comment, how does this harm? There is one thing this proposition is very good at achieving. One grand thing, one spectacular outcome that all should be proud of. This proposition denies love. Denies what we are made of, what we all want. Shameful decisions and I only hope that the courts will overturn this decision.

My father always says to me, day in day out.

"Jackson, whatever may be consuming your heart right now, let it go. Let it be. You need not a thing but love, and remember Jackson: always love."

Nostalgia

Haven't had a post in a little bit, but that's OK. I'm taking a break to spend time with family. I may post here sometimes, may not, so who knows really? I just want to spend time with my mom before she's gone, and this may be her last Christmas. However! One thing though, I'm going to Seattle, WA at the beginning of the year to visit my sister and my brother in law! There will be A LOT of photos from that visit.

That said, this is my chance to say good bye for now. I'll post from time to time but really it's just a break from school and thinking right now. This time of year is full of nostalgia for everyone, and I hope people bring themselves closer to one another. We all need that right now.

Symbolic

I was feeling symbolic, so I thought I'd post this.
This is a memorial for the Japanese who were interned in camps during WWII. I feel that we can all learn from these words.

"Here we admit a wrong"

Nothing wrong with that. Nothing at all.

Not Ready

as my tears

burn my eyes

i think of her:

i’m not ready

not ready for any of it,

as

she needn’t be

gone

so soon

as i still need

advice

she still has

to see me finish

what i started

i clump together tonight,

my emotions,

so shallow

as they show through

in

the way i walk

the way that i’m just

different

i can’t take it

i

catch my breath:

i can’t tell you

how this feels

Jack Johnson realized that his journey's around the US had an impact, an impact on people and thoughts. Most importantly he realized his tours have an impact on the environment. When was the last time you walked outside and realized the pure beauty of the world? How about when you witnessed the time that pure place was destroyed, only to be taken by a strip mall. The song, all at once has an important message in it, take a listen.

His campaign is one of vigilance and responsibility. Recently, what actions have you taken to help the earth? Think about that. Let it sink in.

Now, right now you're probably saying, this guy is a hippy and wants us all to hug trees. Not really, I just realize that this world is one for myself and the rest of the people on this rock. Did I mention that we only have one? One planet. We can't fly away to another one. We can't ignore the animals we kill.

For things to do about your footprint there is an interesting blog called, 365 days of trash. Watch a few of his videos on youtube and get an idea of what you can do everyday. Bring a water bottle around with you is a simple thing to do instead of buying a new one. Remember to reduce, reuse, and lastly recycle. The first two parts are ignored a lot.

Link to 365 days of trash:
http://365daysoftrash.blogspot.com/2007/12/365-days-of-trash.html

No Title

let her go

it plays in my

head:

the call

where you know what it’s for

but

you still stammer,

“what?!”

going to get it

one day,

i can already

taste

the salt from

my tears.

already feel

the anger,

resentment.

never

never in my life

have i felt so

lost.

so damn alone.

they say,

“i’m sorry”

for what?

you didn’t do anything

or my favorite

“i’m praying for you”

makes me cringe

hearing that

what do i say?

“thanks?”

“i’m glad you’re praying?”

for a miracle that

won’t

happen

really though,

i’m glad you won’t do anything.

for me,

my family,

my father,

for a marriage of 32 years!

however,

i’m glad you don’t know,

nor understand,

as my heart is

empty,

bitter, and

my world is dropping out from under me

it’s the freefall without the thrill

only ends with me trying

to catch my breath

trying to

think and walk straight;

i’ll get the call and i’ll be numb

that’ll be the easiest part you know

the beginning of letting

her go

so i think

It's Scientific!

Amazing video. Mythbusters shows you how your voice gets high with helium. Watch the end, see how your voice gets, "devilish."

I'll Be Back For More

My good buddy, Jason, wanted to go to a new place. I'm happy about that. We went to the quad of Onestop, Coulter, Killian, and Forsyth. In there we got these good photos! Have a look guys.


Here's a cool wall ride thing.

I don't know how he does it. I guess I'll never know, but that's fine. As long as he keeps it up. Thanks Jason.

Changed perspectives on the tail-whip. He didn't land it but that's ok! It still looks great. Said he needs a ramp.

Clearly Drag

The 2008 Drag show at Western Carolina hosted by Unity went off without a hitch. Really good show with a great showing! Better than last year. The crowd went wild for the performers and the girls there were funny as all get out. Here are the photos!



This is before the show, before the lights went out. These four were happy to have there photo taken! Great shot.



Really great showing by all. A lot more photos on my flickr! Check it out!

Thankful

"It isn't to you almost die, that you know how to truly live."

I said that once to my father while I was in a hospital. Reflecting on that I now center on compromise with life. In one hand you have life and all of its full potential. In the other you have loss and all of the dreaded things that come with it. Not sure what to think anymore about what is going on. I learned last night that she wants to last till my graduation.

When I hear that a full momentous swing of emotion fills me. The cancer has spread to her lungs, liver, pancreas, and throat and has doubled in size within three months. Seems as if it is all coming to a head, and I'm not sure what to think. I walked inside the other day and my sister was in tears. My mom had broken the news about the cancer getting worse. I asked her, "you OK sis?"

Smiling she shook her head replying, "yeah." I told her it would be alright and right now it is what we all we have.

"Yeah sis," I started out with a slight lecturing tone, "it's all we have and under the circumstances, eh it could be worse." I went on to say, "Dad is handling things pretty well, all things considered."

My father is a wreck with his emotions that are skin deep, and here I sit seeming emotionless as a fairytale is played out in front of me. This tale does not end within a fashion of good. I plead to you all: be thankful. Thankful for what you have next to you, thankful for what has been earned, what you love and loved. Thankful for everything. She won't make it to my graduation, but she'll know how much we love her. We'll see it through till the end. As a family. As people. We have to do this, for her.

I love her.

Beer and Wine

Interesting sight at the local supermarket. Beer and milk. Awesome collage of puke after drinking.

I was drunk in Athens, but in my stupor I wrote this poem.

Stenciled hair
Polished face
Emerald lips
You’re just a dream
Specialty in what I do
Have this look
You know the cues
You’re still a dream
Dad hit you just right
Mom said, do it in spite
You’re just a dream
You know just where
Where I stand
By your side till it
Ends
Just a dream
So here I sit
In this chair
Wondering,
About you dear,
But now I know
That it seems,
You are just a dream
Always a dream

Jim Wilson

He finally made the blog with his cool tricks. Here are the results of our excursion onto UGA's campus. Really a great campus for riding; of course, they do have 30k people there.



Said he bent his handlebar. Oh well.

Good photo I think. Check out my flickr for more!

Hope Love Gets in The Way

This video sums up everything for me. That is all.

Gay or Straight?

Is being gay a choice or a natural predisposition? Did someone really choose to be a part of the most hated group in society today? Really? If you believe in God, and God is love, then why not love. How are these people affecting you, are they truly challenging your marriage, or are they just cause an immoral ruckus. Here's a video I believe you need to watch. It's a good one.

Good Poetry

This poem warmed my heart. However, buyer beware the end gets cranky.

But You Didn't...

Remember the time you lent me
your car and I dented the fender?
I thought you'd kill me...
But you didn't.
Remember the time I spilled coke
on your new rug?
I thought you'd kill me...
But you didn't.
Remember the time I forgot to tell
you the dance was formal and you
came in jeans?
I thought you'd hate me...
But you didn't.
Remember the countless times you'd
try to be serious and I’d giggle?
I thought you’d leave me...
But you didn't.
Remember all the times I'd flirt
with other guys just to make you
jealous - and you were?
I thought you'd drop me...
But you didn't.
There were so many things
you did to put up with me, to
keep me happy, to love me. And
there were so many things I
wanted to say to you after you
returned front Vietnam...
But you didn't.

The Final Photos

The finals photos of the Barack HQ in Cullowhee. Little late as he has already been elected, but these are fun photos!

The folks there were stranded sang us a song!! Awesome

Posing for me. How sweet! I miss these two already.

Callers on Nov. 3rd calling to remind people to vote. Getting out the vote like hot shots.

See across the road? That's the empty McCain campaign office. They didn't have a very good ground effort. Good try though.

Bad

Month has been a bad sort of month. Haven't taken many photos. Haven't tended to the blog much. So I'm sorry, forgive me; however, I do have a video!!!



Oh the joys!

All at Once Campaign

Jack Johnson realized that his journey's around the US had an impact, an impact on people and thoughts. Most importantly he realized his tours have an impact on the environment. When was the last time you walked outside and realized the pure beauty of the world? How about when you witnessed the time that pure place was destroyed, only to be taken by a strip mall. The song, all at once has an important message in it, take a listen.

His campaign is one of vigilance and responsibility. Recently, what actions have you taken to help the earth? Think about that. Let it sink in.

Now, right now you're probably saying, this guy is a hippy and wants us all to hug trees. Not really, I just realize that this world is one for myself and the rest of the people on this rock. Did I mention that we only have one? One planet. We can't fly away to another one. We can't ignore the animals we kill.
For things to do about your footprint there is an interesting blog called, 365 days of trash. Watch a few of his videos on youtube and get an idea of what you can do everyday. Bring a water bottle around with you is a simple thing to do instead of buying a new one. Remember to reduce, reuse, and lastly recycle. The first two parts are ignored a lot.

Link to 365 days of trash:
http://365daysoftrash.blogspot.com/2007/12/365-days-of-trash.html

The Hand!!!

Great video! A must watch.

T-Hetz

This photo is of Tess Hetzel. She is the Obama field organizer for Jackson and Macon counties. Really a great photo.

Republicans...

They're also known as Rethuglicans.

Shadow of the Sun

Jason Allen on the dirt mound with a perfect silhouette. Love it.

The pile is placed perfectly for shots that have my back to the sun, shots that create silhouettes, and shots that have amazing sunsets! I love it. Granted, I have worn out this pile of dirt already.

Drill Baby Drill!!

Be sure to watch the end. Hilarious.

So I've Been Lame

Been lame and distracted. School and new people in my life had led to the fact that I'm just not doing so hot on the photo thing. Forgive me. However, I'll hopefully soon go take some photos.

'Nuff Said

Good video.

Bedroom

My sister's old room. Had some afternoon light floating into it, really pretty. I grabbed this shot with my 50mm f/ 1.4 lens. I love that lens. The colors are so true with it. You know, what I love most about this photo is the light and how it travels through the windows. Really cool.

Obama HQ

Behind WCU there is an old gas station. This old gas station hosts the headquarters for the Obama campaign. This old gas station is dilapidated and has a certain smell. The lights inside the building have a constant buzz that you only notice if someone says something about it. People come volunteer to make phone calls, write letters, or register people to vote. We're in our final push to the sum, and hopefully that sum will turn out well for our country.



Tess Hetzel sleeping on the job. Kidding, she tried to nap for a quick minute, but she said "I'm too excited to sleep!"

Love this photo. This is one of a volunteer making a phone call. Think this one sums up our attitudes! We all feel that this is our country and that it's our duty to make a difference.

The Shins!!

Great video and great song!! I love the Shins.

Old Business

I think this photo is great. Glad I got this one a little blurry, adds some element of surprise to the photo. What do you all think? Leave comments!

PS: I'm heading off for fall break, I'll try to update but I'm not sure. Hopefully some new photos will appear!

Some Light Humor

Big Jump

The boys wanted to throw down at the dirt jump, so I gave in and took photos for them. I'd have to say they turned out a lot better than I first expected. You judge.

Ryan's talent made this nice jump. Random pile of dirt that turned into a beautiful photo.

Jason coming into the jump with some speed. They started at the top of the hill to gather speed to make sure they cleared the jump. Jason said that he likes a half pipe better.


This sort of thing happens. Here's Ryan falling off his bike mid-flight. Glad I had the camera for this one!

The Yeti, aka Nick Mileti, doing a seat grab. Good stuff.

Government Bailout

Monopoly from Curtis Yee on Vimeo.

This is my comment on the government bailout. This video explains it all.

Palin-McCain Strike Again!

Really boss? Really?

Worm Composting

Very neat! When I get a house, I'm going to do this! Worm composting! This is my way to start the month and go into October with a smelly bang! Bang!!!

The Clothesline

Here at the clothesline the shirts tell many stories about abuse by men. From fathers or boyfriends the stories tell death and injurious behaviors towards women. A lot of people, mostly men, say this art project is nothing but a "men bashing" statement. I disagree with this because of the solid fact that women tend to live under a lot more pressure than men do in everyday life. Here are the photos. Judge how you want, leave a comment.




Now I do have to comment on this. Isn't America based on violence, how we were founded? From the moving of Native Americans onto reservations to the military industrial complex, we've lived with violence. I just find this one funny.

Soccer Game

The lady Catamounts faced up against the Gamecocks, who were ranked #20, but defeated 1-0 Catamounts.

The boys giving the energy needed for the girls! Alright, team spirit.


I love this next one as it says: "catch me if you can!"

And of course the victory huddle! Go ladies, they were awesome to watch and photograph.


Alright, as with all my posts, check out my flickr for a lot more of these photos from the game!