IF YOU CAN SEE THE INVISIBLE, THEN YOU CAN DO THE IMPOSSIBLE

Is it harder to love, or love what you do for a living?

Ernest Dove — Thu, 24 May 2012 20:11:55 GMT

They say that if you do what you love, you will never work a day in your life.

But what if nobody out there is hurrying to offer you any money to do what you love? Every day, I read about and see on TV many stories of those who have 'made it', and those who are trying to make it. We know all about the results of those who made it. They are rich, famous, motivated, and determined to 'keep making it happen'.

But that is only a select few. What about all the others. What about all those young men and women who, for the sake of staying current with pop culture references, made it into the 'Hollywood' round on American Idol, or the 'Las Vegas' round on America's Got Talent (all hail Howard Stern).

I admit, I always get a little emotional when watching someone get through to the next round, after networks spend many edited TV man hours showing their sad story, and attempts to 'be somebody', only to then finally be told YES.......Great story.....but how does it end?

For every multi-million dollar athlete there is out there impregnating women and making it rain at strip clubs, there are hundreds and thousands of others who see their dreams come to an end. Not for lack of trying. Maybe lack of skills, maybe lack of opportunity. Either way, there comes a time when they can no longer do what they truly love to do, because they can't get paid for doing it. I see people fall in love every day. They fall in love numerous times, with numerous companions. Some meet at work, others meet at bars, clubs, and online. Either way, love seems so easy to come by. Sure, love gets hard. Love becomes time consuming, overwhelming, and hard to give up on when times get tough. But its the feeling of that love that seems to always come back. As for loving what you do, that's a different story. Maybe the two are one in the same.

To truly be in love, you have to earn it. You have to own it. You have to develop it, cultivate it, and be determined to make things work. Maybe we all need to put in that kind of effort when trying to earn money doing something we love doing. Finding work itself ain't easy, let alone finding a job you absolutely love doing, because you are doing what you love. But maybe, just maybe, if you put in the time, effort, emotion, and dedication that you put into a strong relationship, things just might go your way.

Stop hating on Facebook. Start creating your own dream.

Ernest Dove — Fri, 18 May 2012 23:24:32 GMT

There's nothing like being sued for every penny you stand to make, is there? I admit, due to my A.D.D., AKA, short attention span, I didn't bother to read the entire article about this lawsuit against Facebook, but I think I get the point. Poor people are mad at rich people. Ok, well, maybe its more complicated then that.

I get it, we all value our privacy. I, myself, just changed my email account password because somebody hacked into it so they can send out junk mail in my name.

But you know what, like a friend of mine said to the Fast Food drive through cashier 15 years ago who gave us dirty looks and seemed miserable for doing what she was doing, "What's her problem. I didn't ask her to work there".

Let's face it, we lost our privacy years ago. Take it from a guy who spent his entire professional career knowing criminals entire arrest history while working in a jail, and later going into families homes as a counselor, and collecting every piece of information I can, including social security numbers, income, and mental health records, to better serve their needs. None of this has to be right, and none of this has to be wrong.

We the public don't even have to leave our house without having our privacy violated. Just turning on your cell phone alerts somebody of your whereabouts. And as for Facebook, and internet, are you serious. Tell me you aren't at least a bit curious to know why so many pop ads seem to be selling stuff you are interested in. Wanna know how that's possible??? It's because overly sophisticated, AKA, above my head to discuss, computer stuff keeps track of every website you go on, every item you research, and every item you purchase, and that information is sold to companies throughout the world for billions of dollars each year.

Obviously, I myself am a victim to this lack of privacy every day. And you know what, a lot of it is my fault. Wanna know why??? Because, instead of creating, developing, and all and all working to enrich my life further by being more inventive, I am instead web surfing, checking my Facebook status and seeing what people are saying on twitter.

Maybe I should be spending more time focusing on whats important, my life. And the lives of my loved ones.

It sucks to know that certain people (sure, why not call them the 1%, thats popular these days), continue to makes millions and billions off of me and my interests. But, instead of plotting and scheming as to how I can get free money out of it by suing, I should be putting my energy into my own problems....................#firstthingsfirst........@homebeinglazy.......................

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Why does it sometimes take death to encourage us to live?

Ernest Dove — Mon, 14 May 2012 23:05:18 GMT

So I just read the news about reality TV star Mitchell Guist from SwampPeople passing away today. Along with the outpouring of love, support and prayers going out to him and his family, I get a sense that many others add self reflection to the mix.

It's during these times when many of us begin to knowingly or unknowingly 'size up our lives', so to speak. We ponder what really is this thing called life. We consider what we have done, what we would like to do, and what we have already missed out on doing. Why does everything have to be 'cause and effect'? Why must someone else's passing motivate us to live?

Mitchell Guist was reportedly a man who lived a simple life. Born and raised in basically one spot, one town, one home. Getting everything he needed to survive directly from the land (swamp) he lived in.

So it's not like he lived a lavish lifestyle that would draw envy, and motivate others to strive for greatness. But maybe it did something else. Maybe it motivated us to live by a different 'code'. Maybe his passing teaches me to accept what I have, what I don't have, and understand that I can quite literally make my own way in life. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not exactly planning on moving to the swamp to hunt for my daily food intake and build my own home with wood. But I am pondering what it is I am truly striving for, and planning to be more hands-on in making my own way.

RIP Mitchell

We can't save our youth if we don't even know what we should be protecting them from.

Ernest Dove — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 23:02:01 GMT

How ironic that, in an age of booming social media, it's the parents who still don't always seem to know what's going on with their children. It appears that strangers who follow your child on twitter sometimes know something is wrong before you do.

I worry about our youth because I worry about our future. I recently read articles in which I learned that numerous court houses in the juvenile court systems are being shut down in Los Angeles due to lack of funding, most presumably lack of funding to keep up with the high demand of juvenile offenders who crowd the courthouses everywhere on a daily basis. Shouldn't there be some kind of great analogy to use here regarding cause and effect?

Think about it. Child A hates being in classroom with 40 other students. Child A is bored having to go straight home from school (due to lack of after-school programs). So Child A ends up skipping school and doing negative things with friends out in the community. Child A gets arrested. Which leads to going to court (our taxes pay for it). Which leads to probation (Which our taxes pay for), which can lead to juvenile camp or juvenile detention center (which our taxes pay).

I know from experience working with children and families that it is, for the most part, not until the child is arrested that they find out about all the negative activities. So what took so long? Was it just a form of neglect? Or was it something else?

The technology age has lead us to a time where it is more common to email, text and tweet then it is to sit down with someone and talk to them. I remember a time when it was said that allowing your child to watch too much TV can cause them to be overweight, unproductive and less educated then those reading a book or playing outside. I feel like now we are at a place where too much facebooking, tweeting and texting causes our children to leave out the most important person it is they should be informing about their daily lives.

Maybe it's a psychological thing. Think about it. When's the last time you heard a great joke? You probably then re-told that joke to a friend, then a co-worker, a classmate. By the time you get home, you may have said that joke 10 times already. So what happens? You end up not telling the loved ones in your own home because your simply tired of repeating yourself.

Maybe that was a bad example/analogy, but the point is this. Don't let your child text, facebook and tweet her life story solely to others. Never forget to hear the story (joke) yourself, and be proactive in wanting to hear from your child. Who knows, maybe then you will get the only real 'like' that counts. A like from your child.

To read my story about the struggle to help our youth, click here for a copy of my book

Are you enjoying watching the meat market...I mean, NFL draft?

Ernest Dove — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 05:23:00 GMT

It's that time of year again. Time to watch 20-something-year-old athletes put on their first ever suits (purchased by their agents), and officially be picked(drafted) by organizations who have long since hired guys to stalk them for months, even years. I admit, I myself am so starved for football in April that I can't help but watch this spectacle as well.

I have always been fascinated with this process. I still can't believe this 'event' is nationally televised. But, lets face it, there is money to be made. For example, all the years I've seen this draft take place, I always noticed the ticking clock on each team. I remember the years in which teams frantically hurried to get in their cards with their player on it. However, this year, there seemed to be no hurry. By no strange coincidence, even when I specifically saw the ticker stating, 'pick is in' scrolling across the screen, i noticed that ESPN would then go to commercial break. And then, when they returned from break minutes (and money) later, there was still plenty of time for that pick to be announced officially for all to see and hear.

But that's not what fascinates me. It, like everything else, is about the people. I am of course a huge fan of People-watching..... I mean.....observing.....This is my favorite part. I get to hear mostly middle aged men slowly but surely poke, prod, praise and criticize young men.

I get to watch as 20 year olds with criminal records and failed drug tests get hired by teams/companies that will immediately write them checks for hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not millions for the 'chosen ones'....a.k.a. First round picks.....

It's days like this that I laugh when I watch all this news about our country being in a recession.

In the end, we remain a country that pays millions to college dropouts who can run, throw and catch, while at the same time continues to lay off thousands of hard working graduates who dare to only benefit society by building things, developing things, and educating our youth. If only I knew how to throw a ball.

Maybe it should be more about who we have, and not who we are.

Ernest Dove — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 22:01:44 GMT

So i just finished reading two different articles, regarding two different teenagers, in two completely different situations in their schools/communities.

Apparently, there was a young teenager boy in Iowa who made the brave decision to come out as being gay. This strength and self acceptance reportedly lead to attacks, threats, and ultimately led to this young man committing suicide.

The other article was about a teenage girl, with autism, who is not only thriving in her school and her community, but is apparently on the schools cheerleader squad.

In this society, life, as we know it, seems to be about 'Labels'. We all have them, either by choice or by having them placed upon us. It is these labels that all too often begin to define us. It leads to many giving in to their labels, accepting that others may not want to accept them, and leading to heartbreak and tragedy.

Maybe, instead of being labeled, and instead of being another tragic statistic, our society as a whole should spend more time focusing on how to support each other and accept each other, while trying our best to stop placing judgement on others.

I find it interesting that, every day, society picks and chooses who to praise, idolize and worship based on someone's acting, modeling or music skills. However, when it comes to someone, not in the public spotlight, shedding some light on the fact that they are also not 100% like everybody else, they seem to be judged so harshly.

Is this brave and amazing teenage girl so much more important and valuable then this brave and amazing teenage boy was? Is it simply a case of the girl having a better support group, or people feeling some kind of pity on her for being different, whereas others felt that being gay is someone 'labeled' as being wrong and evil, and so he didn't deserve the same support and encouragement.

Maybe we should all have just a little more support. Maybe even a tenth of the support and praise that 'celebrities' get while they are dancing around in clown costumes, ridiculous amounts of jewelry, and driving around in $200,000 cars.

children need our support. Click here to learn about my struggle working to help youth and families.

Fab Melo declares for NBA draft. Another (non)student athlete turns pro.

Ernest Dove — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 00:09:37 GMT

Its obviously no surprise to anyone that a basketball player who was ineligible for large parts of the college basketball season is leaving school early to turn pro. What is surprising is that we continue to call these 'players' student athletes.

When will we all stop pretending that these kids actually plan to be educated while waiting for their ticket to millions in the NBA?

There is even talk by the NBA of having these players remain out of the NBA for more then the one year out of high school/age 19 rule they already have now.

First of all, If not for Brandon Jennings being the only success story regarding players going overseas for that year rather then waist time in college, none of this would probably matter. It wouldn't matter because the NBA would have immediately changed the rules back if there were about 5-10 of those high school graduates out overseas making money for those leagues instead of them.

Everyone seems to ignore the fact that Major League Baseball, and the National Hockey League, have been drafting teenagers for years. Many of which have gone on to become hall of fame players. Plus, in case you forgot, the NBA continues to make Millions and Billions of dollars off of current players like Kobe Bryant and Lebron James.

So what are they trying to prove? I know that, for the most part, everything is always about money. So maybe the NCAA has long since secretly made some kind of financial deals with the NBA to allow them more time to make their money off these young athletes. But it just seems to be more embarrassing year after year to watch these schools have to make players ineligible, and defend themselves when its proven that their athletes hardly every receive an actual degree or attend any classes.

Athletes, like everyone else in our society, have the right to work. I started working at age 16. So let me get this straight. You are telling me that, by age 18, I would be eligible to work at a grocery store, or fight for our country in war, but I couldn't earn millions to play basketball (in this economy, especially).

Wake up NBA. Don't worry about the NCAA, they will be fine. Nobody really cares who is wearing the jerseys when earning them billions of dollars just off of the NCAA tournament alone. Especially when players like Fab Melo, and pretty much anyone who has recently attended UCONN according to their now ban from next years tournament, have no intentions of taking advantage of utilizing the FREE college education that schools are giving away. Save those scholarships for 'student' athletes who need them.

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Teacher layoffs continue. What about monitoring of teachers still teaching?

Ernest Dove — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 02:45:34 GMT

Speaking from personal experience as a man who was recently laid off from a job, I was just wondering what the process is that the state of California goes through as they continue laying off their teachers/educators of our youth.

The reason why I ask is because I have spent this current unemployment time watching daily news about teachers molesting students, and administrators allowing for outsourced counselors to film students having sex in their own designated office. The state has spent so much time and effort firing people in the thousands, shortening school days, adding holiday's and half-days during school year, and cutting after-school programs. With that being said, I was wondering how much effort they are putting into actually monitoring what the teachers that remain are doing in the classroom.

Let's not forget about the hundreds of thousands of educators and counselors who are helping our children, not hurting them. Read my story about my experiences helping others.log on to:

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There is no better person to promote than yourself

Ernest Dove — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 19:37:21 GMT

As a society, we seem to do such a great job of giving others their '10 minutes of fame'. We make others millions. We make others rich beyond their wildest dreams. And we watch as many of them become drug addicts, criminals, and reality TV stars. (funny how I added that one in there).

So, with that being said, how many of us have ever really thought about promoting the one person we really would like to see succeed.......OURSELVES.....

As children, many of us had dreams of being rich and famous. Dreams of being Doctor's, Lawyers, pro athletes, and artists. Now, as adults, many of us have long since put those dreams aside. We have instead put a lot of energy into making someone else's dream come true. We have paid tens of hundreds of thousands of dollars in our lifetimes to buy movies, albums, books, and sporting events in support of absolute strangers. If you ask us why we have done it, we would probably give you this as one of the answers. We pay for distraction. We watch that movie, listen to that song, and root for our favorite childhood team as a way to temporarily forget about our problems in the 'real world'.

Well, I think it's time we all stop thinking of our own lives as something that is negative, and that causes us to want to be distracted from it.

We all have something special in us. We all still have dreams. Those dreams can truly become our own 'reality'. One in which we don't want any distractions from.

Work on supporting yourself. Work on supporting your friends and loved ones. In the society that we live in, we seem to always be judged by strangers. It is those strangers that do obviously help stimulate the economy, create income for others, and create jobs and wealth for many.

I'm not saying go out and make a declaration to never support anyone on TV again. I'm simply saying that your fun time out and about doesn't have to be something you do as a way to somehow forget about your perceived miserable life. Everyone wants to be happy. Everyone wants to have purpose. And Everyone has goals. It's a shame that not everyone gives themselves the opportunity accomplish these things.

I, myself, have decided to begin my own self promotion. I want to be happy. I want to have purpose. And I have a goal to write. I write, not as a way to be distracted from my miserable life, but as a way to promote my own perceived talents. I write, therefore I am.

I not only promote myself, but I promote my friends, family and loved ones. There will always be another Justin Bieber, George Clooney, and Michael Jordan to entertain the masses. They will continue to work hard, make their money, and deserve their fame and fortune. But I myself only live one life, one lifetime, one generation. And I want to spend it succeeding. And I want to spend it helping those around me succeed.

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You can't have a strong government without strong government support

Ernest Dove — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 20:14:10 GMT

It's 'election year' again, and, it's the same old same old. Time for one group to spend every waking moment bashing the other, and explaining to the 'regular folk' just how badly they feel the other group has done the past few years in making them poor, and how they can make it better.

Although, this time around, it seems as though that group, the Republicans, are spending a lot of their time still bashing each other. At first glance, you would think it to be positive that there are still a number of candidates in the race to represent a party in its candidacy. Yes, we of course are founded on being a Democratic nation, with freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and freedom to vote for who we want to lead us. But, in reality, it has always been the dreaded 1% that truly decide who they want to run this country every four years. Think about it, the rich don't even let us have any power over what we wear, how we are educated, and what price to pay for gas. Do you really think they will let us make a truly informed decision on who to run the free world?

So, again, I say I'm surprised at the fact that they haven't forced their own party and its people to choose the one candidate, so they can move forward in all being together in bashing 'the other guy', and start lying about how great their chosen guy is (despite all the in-house destroying of their guys character so far).

Maybe, for once in my life, I will be an optimist, and say that maybe this particular race is proving that the people do have a voice, and its the 'people', not a 'party', who are having a say in who they want, and someone will really have to earn it.

Alas, in the end, I will always be a pessimist, and say that it is still pointless. Perhaps it is our freedom of speech, and freedom to vote, that has only prolonged the inevitable for what the Republicans want to do anyway. And all it is really doing is costing the 1% more donation money to convince the public to choose who they want to run all along.

Has there ever been a time in history when a political candidate would simply spend their entire campaign stating what he or she can do for their city/state/country, and not worry about finding dirt on the other candidates.

Last I checked, aren't we currently being led by someone who was reportedly a non-american, fake christian man, who happens to be black? Maybe we the people finally got something right. Maybe we finally banded together, back in 2008, and decided that we would vote for someone who made sense. Someone who made us feel proud about who we are as a nation. Someone who made us all feel together, and willing to make a change. And we the people weren't going to let the rich force us to make choices we don't want to make.

But the tactics never go away. It reminds of a sports franchise. Team finishes the past 8 seasons with losing record. So the owner hires a new coaching staff. Team then spends the next 4 seasons trying to build a winning team, yet they remain a work in progress. So, what to do? The team is still not winning games. The current coaching staff is blaming the past coaching staff for not having good enough players to make them competitive right away, so they want more time to build the team they want, and they would like the owner (1%) to trust in what they are doing, sign of on their newer systems (bills to be signed into law) to make good things happen. In the end, it's the owner (1%), and not the fans (99%) who has the decision, and he/she knows from experience how to make the fans grow to accept whoever he/she chooses anyway.

Maybe it's time for some real change. Maybe we as a country should be more like the Green Bay Packers. Be more of a community owned nation, then one run by a select few. The terms Majority and Minority should stand for the amount of people who trust, believe, and support their government, and not be terms more synonymous with race and ethnicity. Our politicians should want support from their people, not hatred towards the other candidate.

If you got a DVD player, you got a gym.

Ernest Dove — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 18:19:07 GMT

Ok, I admit it, I kind of like working out to a DVD video workout called Turbo Fire. Even a lazy dope like me can find myself following along (somewhat) to the workout. Why spend money to be a member of a gym you never make it to. Why purchase weightlifting equipment you will use only once in a while. All you really need is a dvd player (and a wife who tells you your doing it one way or another).

Did I just watch TEAM USA SOCCER beat Italy? Unbelievable.

Ernest Dove — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 22:10:49 GMT

NEWS FLASH for Americans: We also have a sport called, 'Soccer'. I know many of you have apparently never heard of it, never played it, and never watch it on TV, but I just did. I watched team USA win a match nobody thought they could, even if this match that is the equivalent of a preseason game in American Football.

Soccer is that sport that I played as a child, but never really watched throughout my entire life, with the exception of the WorldCup, which is only played every 4 years.

They even have a professional soccer team not too far from where I live in Los Angeles. however, due to LA traffic, i basically don't bother trying to make the trip and sit in traffic half the night to support the team.

But this was pretty exciting to watch. I always thought of soccer, and tennis, as two of the most strenuous and athletic sports there are. But nobody in this country seems to care about either one. Maybe its because its athletes are not 7 feet ball, weigh 300 pounds, and give each other concussions every week for our entertainment.

Maybe its time more of us started to pay attention. Oh, by the way, did i mention that there are NO COMMERCIAL BREAKS during the match. Yeah, thats right, they play 45 minutes straight...........no commercials.........then halftime.........then another 45 minutes straight............

Ok, maybe i don't want the sport to catch on in the good old USA, because leave it to us to then create 'TV Timeouts" and 'spot breaks' throughout the entire match.

GO USA !!!

Another community mourns the loss of its youth.

Ernest Dove — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 22:46:43 GMT

Once again, the world is saddened by the news of more lost youth. This time, in the state of Ohio. Once again, another school, another young student, and another chance to wonder about what might have been for those with such potential to succeed in life.

Its bad enough that we have to endure more stories of teachers sexually abusing children in the schools these days, we now have to once again learn of another school shooting.

So where do we go from here as a society? I'm sure politicians (for political reasons) will show their sadness over the tragedy, and talk publicly about all the plans of action they will take to make schools safer, but we know what that's all about.

We can't just simply use the same old story, time and time again, of some 'disturbed' young man getting vengeance on the 'bully's'. Based on what article you read about the incident in Ohio, its hard to say whether or not the accused knew the other children he was shooting at.

Do we blame the parents again? Maybe we should broaden the focus. As i've written in my first published book, click here to purchase a copy , the best way to describe my years working in a program called 'wraparound' is this, "It takes a village to raise a child".

If I've learned anything in this life, its that being a 'father/mother' and a 'parent' are two completely different things. You can choose to try and be a parent, and you can become one unexpectedly. What's for sure is that, when you do have a child, it doesn't come with a manual. No one person has all the answers. However, what anyone can truly offer someone with a child is help, assistance, and support. In the end, we are truly but one big community.

Many people love to publicly express their love and support of the troops, but how many of us show that same support for the youth in our community?

So, The Oscars, huh? Did you enjoy watching rich people get awards?

Ernest Dove — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 22:02:19 GMT

It was that magical time of year again. That time when multi-million-dollar-a-picture actors and actresses get more free stuff, more appreciation, and more acknowledgements of their sheer brilliance i'm sure.

I understand that entertainment can be a great distraction from our real lives, but do we really have to spend so much time and effort covering stories of who wore what, who said what, and what poor poor famous and rich person didn't get that 'trophy' that they so much deserved.

Of course it will just sound like I am a bitter and jealous man by bringing this up. Well, maybe I am. Maybe its also because of the fact that I think that all of us deserve our time to shine. All of us deserve our time in the spotlight, even for a moment.

I live in Los Angeles now, so I obviously understand how hard some of these artists have worked to get where they are, and I respect them for that. I also understand that, for ever George Clooney out there, there are thousands upon thousands of struggling artists, waiting tables, working at amusement parks, and performing for free at local theaters. They are still waiting for their big break.

These struggling artists are not fighting over emmys, oscars, grammys, or anything like that. They are fighting to eat. They are fighting to pay their rent. They are fighting for a chance to succeed in life.

It's bad enough we have to continue to watch as rich people fight for the opportunity to be leader of the free world, with no real say from the average public. We also have to sit back and endure countless 'award shows' to celebrate those who have already succeeded. Maybe we should put more focus on those who have not.

More American Soldiers have died in combat. More children have been gunned down by a fellow student at school. More priests are facing trials for child molestation. Maybe we should place more attention on those who actually need our protection, need our praise, and need our support.

Last I checked, you don't see Donald Trump sitting on a sidewalk with a cup out, asking for spare change. Its a homeless person. Its a homeless child. Its a person who may still have a chance to succeed.

Another day, another rise in gas prices

Ernest Dove — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 03:19:16 GMT

They say there are only two sure things in life, death and taxes. I say you might be able to add one more thing for certain. Our government will manipulate the price of gas, making us slaves to their decisions.

Every time I have left my house the past two weeks, I drive past a gas station, and notice that it is a few cents higher then it was yesterday. Now, usually, 'they' try and give us some lame and pathetic supply and demand excuse, and blame it on a holiday weekend or something. This time around, we are lead to believe that prices are going up because of Iran.

It's 2012 for God's sake. Haven't we finally moved on from this form of reasoning? All the conspiracy theory's always point to the government and politicians being in the pockets of the rich oil companies. But, seriously people, why haven't our illustrious 1% come up with another way to make money off our need for transportation?

We can fly to the moon, and to mars, but we still can't produce enough electric cars to decrease need for oil? And don't tell me the American people don't want electric cars. Face it, its not up to the American public to determine what they want. It's never been our decision. The rich has always made our decisions for us. If you don't think so, try being a parent these days. If you were a parent, you would know that, year after year, there is that 'must have' toy. Its the same for adults. Some new fad in clothing is started by a big time corporation and their marketing department. Some random and current 'famous' person is given the clothes (for free) to wear out a few times, and bam !!!!! everyone goes out and buys it.

Am I crazy? Think about it. Myspace was the biggest social network website around. Facebook then came around, and within a few years, there was already a new way of life. And let's not forget about Twitter. Again, new year, new way to communicate in the global social network.

Yet, here we still are, years and years later, still relying on the same way to move our cars then we seem to have been using since cars were invented. Doesn't make sense to me.

One of the things a smart businessman told me years ago was this, "What makes the wealthy who they are, is their ability to see the future". for example, as soon as people in the 90s started getting rich from the internet boom, the 'wealthy' were already planning their exit from it. So by the time the internet boom died, their money was already taken out and they were already on to the next 'big thing'.

So why not oil?

35,000 Postal Service jobs in jeopardy. Where's their bailout?

Ernest Dove — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 23:06:59 GMT

Quick question: What does the US in USPostalService Stand for? Thats right, United States. As in, the United States of America. Sounds like a pretty important Company/Organization, doesn't it? I mean, they are only in charge of delivering anything and everything that might be important in your life. You know, like paychecks.................oh, and netflix movies.

I myself completely understand what's going on from a business and financial standpoint. I hardly ever use the post office. As for its employees, all they do is send me bills. I don't really send off anything. But here's my point. Hasn't our government taken Billions of our tax dollars, and given it to 'PRIVATE' companies, like banks, car dealerships, and other financial entities?

I'm kind of tired of watching our government make cuts in education, social services, and pretty much any other kind of industry or field that doesn't personally make any money for a politician.

Oh, and let's not forget that this current issue with the postal service, which has apparently been going on for years, all of a sudden will plan to make all these layoffs during an election year. Our wonderful politicians can't figure out a way to fix the problem during Obama's final year of his first term. Shocking, huh?

Get it together people. Save what's important. Or at least realize what's going on around you.

The Stage is my friend. The need for laughter is my enemy.

Ernest Dove — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 16:00:00 GMT

So I finally made it back on a comedy stage tonight. Stand-up comedy is not like riding a bike. You can't just 'hop on' and expect the same smooth and steady results. But I managed to knock the rust off, and tried my best to say something funny.

Funny equals laughter, right?...... How much do we need the laughter? Yeah, it kind of makes sense to expect to have laughter in comedy, but when you're the one telling the jokes, the expectations are changed.

Like any self-respecting....i mean......self-loathing comic will tell you, we often expect failure. At least I do, anyway. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Funny is in the ears of the audience.

You can always plan on how you will be introduced. You can plan on how you will hold the microphone, and you can plan out your entire routine. What you can't plan on is laughter.

Timing is a key factor in stand-up comedy. You have to know when to say something, how to say it, and when to pause for an expected laugh break. But, again I tell you, a comics expectations are different. You certainly don't want your pause break to end up being a steady silence.

Laughter is one of the few joys in life. The anticipation of hearing that laughter; however, can be at times unbearable.

What is it about a stage and a microphone that makes me want to be laughed at? I've gone through my whole life trying not to do embarrassing things that will spark a laugh out of others. However, when on stage, I want the laugh...I need the laugh.

All I need is one Mic.................All I need is one thunderous sound of applause.....No pressure.

Click here to check out my newly published book, now for sale on Amazon.com

I got 99 problems and a thought ain't one

Ernest Dove — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 09:01:59 GMT

Why didn't anyone tell me that music artists still make videos? What channel are they shown on, because they sure as heck aren't on MTV, you know, Music Television. This is the thought I had while watching videos on a big screen at Universal CityWalk, located next to Universal Studios in California. Well, that and the thoughts of the strange white guy dancing by himself to the sounds of the music.( and no, that guy wasn't me )

Here's another thought, I can throw a rock and hit more talented people in this place then there will be at this weekends Oscars.................I'm just sayin...........

My wife and I spent the evening watching a live taping of a Pod Cast at the local comedy club located at Universal. Click here to check out the fan page for ' 4 Peas In a Pod(cast)'

What we watched was a group of talented artists sharing entertaining commentary on topics including these upcoming Oscars. Each film discussed made me think of the fact that most of those films were probably not that entertaining, mostly not watched by the average public, and not worth the expensive price of admission to view them at overpriced movie theaters.

Instead of Hollywood remaking every film ever created, why don't they just show the following movies, over and over, in the theaters for the next year instead: The Godfather, Goodfellas, Arthur (The original with Dudley Moore, not the crap remake for God's sake) and Rocky. That's it, that's the list.

My mind is my best friend, and my worst enemy

Ernest Dove — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 07:29:28 GMT

As a writer, I must admit, being alone at times is not so bad. It gives me time to think. Gives me time to reflect. Gives me time to be creative. However, it also gives me time to drive myself crazy. Some people say they can get lost in their thoughts. I say my thoughts will never be found. I'm doing what I always wanted to do. I'm writing. I'm now a published author. I have my own website. I now also have new things to self critique, over analyze, and be paranoid over. My mind just won't shut off. Sleep continues to avoid me, continues to hide from me, and continues to toy with me, hands on the ears, waving them back and forth, with a tongue sticking out.

My mind is all over the place. Even during this blog, I'm thinking about whether or not I should still stay up and watch the first episode of Celebrity Apprentice. Should I check my Facebook page one more time. Should I check and see where my book ranks now on Amazon. My mind is my own worst enemy. It tells me what makes me happy, and it forces me to always remember what makes me sad.

Of course, I hope to never lose my mind. I need it too much. So much to do, so little time. But I feel as though I can accomplish anything with my mind.....as long as my mind doesn't get in the way.

Click here to check out my newly published book, now for sale on Amazon.com

The Nevada GOP Caucus... Unless I can gamble on it, I don't really care

Ernest Dove — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 00:13:47 GMT

I know nobody votes in this country, but did you realize that a group of rich white people are touring the country trying to become the next President of the United States?

I'm always fascinated with politics. Not because I personally care anything about it, but because they always seem to attract a crowd. These guys seem to be surrounded by a swarm of screaming fans like they are rockstars....At least the rockstars provide a form of entertainment. And at least rockstars dont ask for donations after the show.

It always reminds me of high school. That time when my schools most popular kids asked for even more attention then they already get. In the end, one of them wins. They all remain popular. Nothing changes. Just like politics.

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