Reflections
I was looking through my account at Classmates.com when I noticed that 87 people looked up my profile. Eighty-seven lookups in ten years. Averages to a little over 10 views a year. I can guarantee you that each one of those 87 people had the same question on their minds that I have when I see an old classmate’s name on the list: “I wonder what he looks like now.”

Well, I know what I look like now, which is why I don’t post any photos. When I see myself in the mirror I see a guy that crawled out of the shallow end of his family’s gene pool and I’m thankful that I’m married to one of the best women on planet Earth. What she sees in me is beyond me.

Thank You, GOD, for giving me such a great wife.

IMHO #2 – WORLD TRADE CENTER
When I first heard that Oliver Stone was going to direct a film about the 9/11 tragedy, I started to think about the various conspiracy theories that would be present in the film (“The US planned it!” “There were no terrorists!” “It was all for oil!” “Didn’t you see Fahrenheit 911?”).

Oy.

Well, there are no conspiracy theories in this movie at all. It’s surprisingly patriotic (the first shot is a blurred shot of an alarm clock which creates a basic red, white and blue color palette) and emotional (One of the trapped Port Authority Police officers has a vision of Jesus Christ which inspires him to stay alive and another off-service Marine feels “called” by GOD to help at Ground Zero and ends up finding the two officers buried in the ruins.). Stone does a masterful job of juggling the POV’s of the story – from the trapped officers to their respective wives to the rescue volunteers. His eye for reproduction is uncanny. Every shot of the WTC ruins were eerily accurate.

Nicolas Cage turns in a decent performance as an everyday “Jes’ Folks” type of guy. Maria Bello and Maggie Gyllenhaal also turn in decent performances but aren’t given much more to do than cry and look worried. (Then again, what else could the family members of those missing people do on that horrible day but weep and worry?)

So far, there have been two major films about the 9-11 tragedy: United 93 and World Trade Center. Of the two, I think that United 93 is a much more effective film and has a much deeper emotional impact.

Final Grade for World Trade Center: B

(I don’t include Fahrenheit 911 here because it wasn’t a film and I don’t think it’s a true documentary. I think it’s a big, steaming bowl of elephant urine. If you want to see a fascinating documentary about the 9-11 tragedy, two French documentary filmmakers were shooting a film about a FDNY company when the planes hit the towers. It is a riveting documentary. Even thinking about it gives me the chills. As soon as I find out the name of the film, I’ll post it.)

AUTHORS WANTED
I like to read. A lot. Well, when time allows.

When I was 18, my aunt sent me a copy of Strangers by Dean Koontz as a Christmas gift.

I was hooked.

Over the next two years, I purchased every Dean Koontz novel that I could (from the old Kroch’s and Brentano’s on Wabash in downtown Chicago). From there, I went to Stephen King and then to other sci-fi/ horror novelists.

Over the past sixteen years, my tastes have changed a bit. I’ve stopped reading Koontz save for a few exceptions (his Frankenstein trilogy has been very interesting). His writing can be either too melodramatic or reads as if he’s trying too hard to be funny. I still read King, but his fiction is starting to read the same. I can look at a King novel and anticipate the next plot turn pretty effectively.

(In fairness to Mr. King, I think some of his work is phenomenal and, considering his reputation for the strange and bizarre, surprisingly rich in character development. I recommend “All That You Love Will be Carried Away,” “The Jaunt,” “The Man in the Black Suit,” “Crouch End,” “Dolan’s Cadillac,” “The Man Who Loved Flowers,” “The Last Rung on the Ladder,” Hearts in Atlantis, The Long Walk, On Writing, and Bag of Bones (except for the last 50 pages))

My problem now is that I haven’t been able to find an author to follow. The last novel I read that really jazzed me was I Know This Much is True by Wally Lamb. I’ve read Lamb’s other works, but he hasn’t published anything new lately.

Any suggestions for an author or novel???

PAIN & GAIN
The common proverb for weight training is: “No pain, no gain.” I’ve quickly learned two things about this maxim: it’s right and it’s wrong. (Keep in mind that I'm not a medical professional in any way.)

As my workouts have increased in intensity there has been serious discomfort during the workouts, such as having to stop for a breather during a set because I’m not strong enough yet to finish it. My heart rate shoots through the roof when I circuit train because I’m not taking very long rest periods in between sets (45 – 60 seconds max). At the end of my workouts, I’m usually dripping with sweat, which is a very good thing.

The soreness that comes after the workouts is there as well, but I’ve learned to appreciate it. I know that it’s there because my muscles are healing and getting stronger for the next session. I saw an ROTC student with a t-shirt from the U.S. Marines that read, “Pain is weakness leaving your body.” I keep that in mind when a sore muscle decides to sing out a bit.

But the NPNG philosophy is also wrong because that type of mindset can lead to serious injury. Pain can be an alert that something is wrong and that you should BACK OFF and let your body heal. Some years ago, my back was sore but I ignored it and tried to workout. When I tried to do bent-over rows with dumbbells (where you bend over and pull the weight up to your chest), my back decided to scream out a heavy metal version of the “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” I could barely walk for a few days. Sleeping was a horror because my back would stiffen up during the night and getting up from my bed was murder.

Don’t even ask about going to the bathroom (I know you won’t, but still. . .).

So if you’re exercising, taste the pain and enjoy it and use it.

And respect it.

SMALL VICTORIES
I’ve lost five pounds in less than one month. I know it doesn’t sound like a lot, but it’s a start. One rose can smell just as good as a bouquet if you take the time to appreciate it.

IMHO #1: Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest

To make a long story short is impossible as far as this movie is concerned since most of this sequel is a setup for POTC 3. While Johnny Depp does another great job as Capt. Jack Sparrow (all eccentricities are present and accounted for as well as a touch of Buster Keaton-esque slapstick), the story doesn’t really go anywhere until the last half-hour. The sad fact is that this last thirty minutes serves to whet your appetite for the third film.

Note to director Gore Verbinski: Robert Zemeckis did this exact thing – ending film #2 with a “teaser” for film #3 – with Back to the Future 2 & 3. It stunk then and it stinks now. To see how a trilogy should be set up, see Star Wars: Episodes 4-6 and the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Each film can stand alone and fits within a larger story arc.

Final Grade: C+ (for Depp’s performance).

IMHO #1
I watch a lot of films, either at the theater or on DVD (I don't have cable. Don't bother asking why.), so I figured that I would take some time and offer My Humble Opinion (hence the name) on some movies I've seen. First review coming soon! (Pirates of the Carribean: Dead Man's Chest)

Baby Steps: Part II
I went to the gym again yesterday and took some more of those "baby steps" to a healthier me. My time at the gym really solidified two truths:

1) Gym mirrors don't lie. I looked at myself in the mirror as I did some shoulder shrugs and, damn, I'm fat and ugly. I'm shaped like a 6'1" football and my male pattern baldness is making my hair look like a surreal pompadour.

2) There are few things more humiliating than lifting such light weights in a hardcore gym. This isn't a spit-and-polished Bally's that I'm at; powerlifters and serious gym rats work out here. A guy that was built like an NFL linebacker was doing hammer curls with serious weight and I'm doing upright rows with almost no weight because I have to focus on proper lifting form. I know that the heavier weights will come later and I trust my friend who's training me, but my ego is taking some hits.

Baby Steps
I have the privilege of being friends with a nationally ranked amateur powerlifter, so I'm at an advantage when starting a weightlifting program like I did today.

I actually signed up at his gym two weeks ago, but he's been "baby stepping" me into a routine. For the last two weeks I've done cardio work and today was my first weightlifting session. He said that the focus for me will be proper form, which is hard to maintain when you toss around heavy weights.

"By the time we get to the heavier stuff, your body will be used to working out and it'll lessen the pain," he said.

I marvel at the guy when I look at him. He's built like the classic Hulk from the 1960's Marvel comics; broad in the chest and shoulders and the guy squats around 500+ pounds. He's a far cry from the kid I've known since the third grade. I'm glad we're friends.

Feline Fussiness
I grabbed a broom to sweep the hallway stairs and my cat hissed at it. Weirdo.

Every once in a while I'll feel compelled to run off at the mouth (and the keyboard) about what I hold to be true. Everyone believes in something and these are things that I believe:

THE NEVER-ENDING LIST OF WHAT I BELIEVE
(Meaning that my mind won't change about most of these. You're welcome to try, but I don't think you'll be successful.)

1) That there is a GOD, that HE is a three-part Being (Father, Son and Holy Spirit), and that HE created all that there is.

2) That there are Absolute Goods and Absolute Truths.

3) That the love my wife and I share is a blessing and a real and tangible thing and not a byproduct of some psychological issue or biological need.

4) That we should all endeavor to respect public space because it makes society better for everyone.

5) That people should be responsible for the choices they make.

6) The Bachelor’s Degree has become the new “high school diploma” since you need one to even get within shouting distance of an entry level job.

7) That donuts should never be slathered in ketchup.

8) That French fries should not be eaten with mayonnaise. Hey, Europe! What happened to your taste buds?

9) That the person that decided to dip a Snickers bar in corn dog batter and deep fry it (I saw it on PBS!) should have serious psychotherapy done.

10) That men and women are different in many ways and should revel and rejoice in those differences. ¡Vive la difference! (Notice I said different. Not better or worse, just different.

11) That America, warts and all, is the best nation on this earth. Want proof? Immigration policies and issues aside (that’s a debate for another time), look at all the immigrants risking life and limb to get to this country. I don’t see other nations having this problem on the massive scale that the US does. People all over the world recognize the advantages of living in America. It’s a shame that some of her natural-born citizens don’t have the same perspective.

12) That Kevin Smith an overrated screenwriter and director. Go away, dude. Go away.

I'm not new to the internet. I've been a user since 1993. However, this is my first blog, so I'm going to try things that are new to me, make mistakes and grow in the process. I hope you're along for the ride and that you enjoy it.

First, a few facts:

Name: J.V. (Ain’t givin' my real name out!)

Age: 30-35

Gender: Male

Ethnicity: Latino. I'm Mexican & Puerto Rican.

Profession: Teacher.

Politics: My politics (as well as my social and moral views) tend toward the conservative side, with a few areas lying in the centrist area. For example, I'm politically conservative but I don't think we pay enough attention to the environment and that big business gets away with a bit too much (see Enron). I'll elaborate more in the "I Believe" section.

Hobbies: I am a pretty serious movie buff. I watch them all the time and can quote lines verbatim. Ever been to a party where there's one annoying person linking various subjects to movie lines or situations? Well, I'M ONE OF THEM!!! (And proud of it! Damn skippy!)

I also read quite a bit. My taste for reading runs from newspapers, editorials and news magazines to graphic novels (aka comic books. Yeah? What of it?!) to popular fiction to classic literature (Do tragedies get any better than Shakespeare's "Hamlet"?) to nonfiction to the occasional smattering of "artsy" authors like Oscar Hijuelos and Sherman Alexie.

A side note to all you devotees of "artsy" literature: Don't bombard me with emails listing the scores of other authors whose works have a deeper "stench" of art than the authors I've mentioned and how this proves I'm just one of the great unwashed that doesn't deserve to blog and blah, blah, blah, yap, yap, yap. . . I like what I like. You like what you like. Ain't America grand?

This leads me to another point I’d like to make clear. If you take umbrage with anything that I post, you have a couple of options: polite disagreement with followed with healthy discussion or DON'T READ MY BLOG!!! Sheeesh. . .!

WHY THE NAME?
I wish I could say that I was creative enough to come up with that, but it's from an issue of "Spider-Man." I used it here because, well, blogging -- aside from those online support groups -- seems to add up to a whole lot of nothing.

No offense to you bloggers out there, but after you use all this time, effort and computer memory to pitch, yaw, moan, groan and complain about, well, everything, what changes?

A lot of times, blogging reminds me of a line from Shakespeare. To paraphrase, it's full of sound and fury and signifying nothing. So, it's a "whole lotta nada." A whole lot of nothing.

SO WHY DO IT?
For the same reasons, I'm sure, a lot of bloggers do it: to have fun and stretch the creative muscles a bit.

There's also a bit of arrogance involved, and don't you deny it. Why would you blog (or keep a diary/ journal or write stories) if you didn't think the tale you had to tell was worth the telling? If you're one of those types that claim, "I write for the sake of artistic expression! It's art for art's sake!" then I have to say that I don't believe you. If you take hours, days, months or years to craft a story or essay or poem and then spend your spare time getting off on your genius, then there's phrase for what you're doing: mental masturbation. I believe that most people write because they WANT their work to be read by others. This desire may be covert or overt, but it's there.

Let's get right to it, shall we? I believe that the three aims of a writer are to entertain, inform and enlighten. If you're a genius -- a Shakespeare, a Faulkner, a Hemingway -- then you'll consistently hit all three aims and you leave a legacy that will have you remembered long after you're dead. If you're good, you'll hit some but not all. An average writer will hit at least one of these aims and a bad writer won't hit any.

Where am I? Somewhere between average and good, I think. With hard work, I think I could be good. It would take a miracle from GOD to make me great, but I think that's the case with all the great ones.

WHAT YOU'LL GET
My blog will be scattershot and cover a wide variety of topics. Among them are house hunting, film, literature (including comic books. Natch.), politics, a "What I Believe" section, and some personal stuff about my life.

Like I said, this is a first for me, so welcome aboard and happy reading.