The first political science class I took in college my freshman year taught me that the hardest thing to do in electoral politics is to run against an incumbent. That, of course, isn’t some rule or anything, but general fact about election politics. There’s a number of reasons why, but two of the biggest reasons are that one, the incumbents’ party is already established in office and the network is already there, the second is that a winning team– well– is good at winning.

We’re about 8 months or so till America throttles back and gets serious. For nearly two years now every single angle of every presidential contender has been considered, debated, analyzed, and archived. Many who in the past two years have made history are history. The big question has finally arrived– was America even listening?

If they weren’t the last couple of months– they are now. They’re listening to tireless reports of how analysts are running into funny season in politics.

McCain’s Road to victory:

“Four more years of Bush/Cheney” is old– and moreover it’s outdated. The election from one side or both have been back and forth over their ‘more-refreshing-then-the-other-guy’ message, except this is when it really counts and the Dems- Running out the DNC are still stuck on inner groove of their only record. I mean– I was digging the tunes till someone forgot to flip the record over.. now it’s the same over and over.

McCain has Palin though.. And with Palin– McCain’s tossed out the old record and slapped on a brand new one and the media wants a crack at hearing it. Pre-orders are already in for the hip fresh & new Palin interview and at a time when voters wanna know too.

People, especially the GOP base, are hyper sensitive to Spin & Bias now and who ever gets a Palin Preview has to know what to ask or else risk career suicide.

With the new numbers out putting McCain on top by a point outside the Margin of error– Ball is already rolling leaving hungry angry supporters of the other guy wondering why he didn’t drop his own surprise-bomb.

What a race– The Finally tally hasn’t been taken, but with the momentum building at the key moment when America is finally taking a look– McCain/Palin ’08 will likely be a finally for the recordbook ;-p

McCain/Palin- Reform, Honor, and Duty

~J out

We need to be reminded of the importance of things in our world. The Olympics this year will reach out far into history beyond anyone will ever remember… even as members of this time and era. We must remember or at least acknowledge that we are Human first, great nations second. This can and always will be obscured through out time, but it is that accomplishment that the human being– with all it’s imperfections– can attain levels of achievement that transcends politics, cultures, and borders.

Remember the unity, because for a watchful world the next phase in human order is about to be decided… Tomorrow one man will attempt to stand and announce his bid for leader of the free world. He who runs America is one who can manage the world– figuratively, as well as, literally.

This year, above all else, the divide is thick– at times even as cruel as disowning people for their preference. May the unity we see in Beijing (of all places) remind us of our humanity and places in this world as Humans first, all else next.

For all the changes… I can see 2008 going down in history as a new era full of vivacious teenagers who’ll either take the reigns of the future or continue to let the generation ahead of them continue on.

I think the real revelation that’ll happen… be it now or soon is that no one man can rally a nation, but it is the new generation– the generation of technologically trained, highly educated, and abundantly respected (and likewise respectful) who’ll lead America to change with or without a party. Call it… The Generation Y Party. It’s both– or neither…

I don’t what is on the horizon– only that I can see the storm forming and there doesn’t seem to be one leader in front– Just a Storm and it’s going to be big.

Good times~

~J out

(By the way– nearly a week <6> of working out and I’ve nearly lost half a stone <7lbs> *<8^)

All summer the drill has pretty much been the same..

Wake up and do some morning exercises and turn on CNN.. Then eat.. wash.. Go to work.. work.. come home.. and eat/crash. It’s been like that with little moments here and there.

This leaves some downtime or rest time periodically through out the day, but it’s nothing like when I was going to school in Sapporo. It’s really that 10-15 minute ‘breaks’ downtime stuff that affords little time to start something comprehensive…

Typically I’ve filled this void with video games, but many of the quote “Good Games” are really indepth long games… Organizing or finding music would probably be #2, but since I haven’t turned on radio that often.. I don’t know what all to listen too. I thought there wasn’t anything entertaining anymore until I found this feature on Google Maps.. It’s called “Street View.”

Without going into it deeply, it’s a 360 picture of what’s happen’n on the streets of cities all around. I’ve toyed with it off and on looking through LA and other places, but recently they’ve added spots in Japan and so with my 10-15 breaks I’ve been on a quest to spot every hangout spot, temple, and Shrine (or bar) I visited while I was touring/living in old Nippon.

Lately I’ve been sniffing ’round my old parade grounds and found this:

View Larger Map

If you’re wondering what it is… It’s a spot I used to hang near by Hokusei University. It’s a neat bridge on a walking path that I’d take to chill with friends in an old Coffee shop.

This bridge oddly brings back many memories… So thumbs up to Google for keeping the old embers burning in my heart. ;P

Let’s hope this all goes virtual and I can surf with my 3d glasses!

~J out

Once more I want to study Japanese with the similar fervor I began with.

This “learning Japanese” business all started right at the height of my Anime years. Of course I wanted to know the jokes before the subtitles listed it… I didn’t want it all to be so foreign. So I started learning the lingo…. First year was tough, but easy and really I didn’t know what I was getting myself into… I expected too much and got more then I could handle.

Now at this stage with lots and lots of practice and grammar… I’ve found that textbook learning helps establish a base and living the culture re-enforces that learning.

I think in comparison with my younger self… My new goals for Japanese comprehension are different. They’re aimed at conversation tracking, building rapport, and being able to function within a society. I know the important stuff to know solidly.. It’s time to apply my life lessons with the stack of textbooks I used to huddle over for hours (admittedly completely bewildered).

This might mean skipping over vast amounts of “ho-hum” Japanese for the bits I didn’t understand before. Also nailing Kanji that constantly fights it’s way outta my head everyday.

I’m a lot better then I think… I know it. It’s just putting it all together.

Ultimately I would like to live there for maximum success, but that’s not feasible at the moment… Luckily though the Japanese have embedded hundreds of thousands of videos, mp3′s, and forums for the would be “student practitioner” to scour over… reference… and gain mastery over… over… well Japanese chit-chat & gossip (a feat mind you that’s fairly difficult for you average yank).

More to come of course on Re comprehending my Second Language..

~J

Yesterday I set out to replace my stock suspension with Koni & H&R presented itself to be quite the challenge. 70% of course was my own inexperience in what to do and maybe 90% of it was bolts never ever unbolted before (since ’91) and 100% of the challenge was probably running out of beer .

Regardless I got the new suspension on (minus the swaybars) and today I installed a Skunk2 short shifter.. All feats weren’t easy.. all required help from dad .. but the car is likely better for it..

Up next on my list is a set of Crower cams & a B16 cable tranny (if I can find one). Both challenges (I’m guesing) will make the suspension upgade & short shifter upgrade laughable..

Overall though… wakeing up this morning (and consequently all through out the day) the stiffness from what I supposed to have got from the shocks & springs has instead transferred to my achey muscles..

What a day.. But atleast my car looks better

~J out

Today after work I went for a “parts run.” I found off of Craigs an awesome new suspension setup that I’m eager this weekend to try.

The sum of what I bought was:

• A set of Front & Back Koni Yellow Adjustable Shocks
• A set of H&R Racing Springs
• A front & rear under carriage sway bar set.
• (bonus) Two JG Forged Lightweight Cam Gears

All for a OMG only that?! Price.

The best part of it, however, was a chance to meet another tuner from Portland. What I like about builds is both the parts and all that, but also the people you meet along the way.

A new crowd of people to meet!

Next on my list of stuff though is as follows (in no particular order)

~A Brembo Big Break Kit
~New Brake Pads
~Powdercoating my Calipers
~(eventually) Installing a 6-Puck Clutch kit
~Skunk2 Single Bend Short Shifter + Type R shift knob (Ordered and Shipped)
~(Either) A Pair of Crower Camshafts A Garret t3/T4 Turbo Kit fabrication/install (This one is the biggest decision requiring lots of research/thinking )
~(If Camshafts) Upgrade my generic C.A.I to a AEM Short Ram with Dust Cover.

Back Burner Stuff:
~Darker Window Tinting
~Interior Work
~Paint Restoration.

Lotta stuff to do… Lotta new people to meet– I can’t wait!

~J