Dear NCAA Executives, Coaches and Athletic Directors:

Thanks to many media outlets covering the situation with University of Miami player Robert Marve many NCAA fans including myself, have been made aware of an NCAA rule/practice that should be deemed totally unacceptable. That practice being the limiting of schools that a player may transfer to should they make the decision to do so.

While it is easy to understand the basis for this rule it also takes the idea of college athletics and shoves it out the window. I am not a fan of professional sports because it is very rare to meet a professional athlete that is in the game for the “love of the game.” Now sure, college programs are typically breeding grounds for players who are desiring to go pro but, it’s still nice to know that for the majority of their time on a college field they are playing truly for the “love of the game.” Limiting the schools a player who desires to transfer can transfer to, at it’s core represents everything the NCAA should be standing against including but not limited to unsportsmanlike conduct and demonstrating the attitude that winning IS indeed everything.

These selfish and cowardly scare tactics on behalf of the University of Miami coach Randy Shannon should be a red flag to everyone that the future of the NCAA is at risk. It’s bad enough we have a jacked up championship series to contend with in NCAA football, now we must contend with a rule that at its core is simply a card that cowardly, unsportsmanlike coaches can play when they’re jealous that one of their star players wants to leave!?

To the executives of the NCAA and athletic directors to you I have to give the most criticism. Why on earth would you allow a rule like this to be in play? What is your motivation behind this rule? I bet I know…GREED, SELFISHNESS, RATINGS and MONEY! You should be ashamed of yourselves for condoning the cowardly moves of Coach Shannon and any other coach who takes advantage of this rule.

As a fan of the NCAA I have to demand that this rule be reevaluated for immediate dismissal. This rule represents everything the NCAA should NOT represent and is a slap in the face of fans, players and coaches who are truly in it for the “love of the game.”

Sincerely,

Will Young

4 am a few days ago the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s office served me a court summons. Turns out I am being sued by Discover Bank, NA (Discover Card).

I’ve never made any attempt to hide my transgressions from anyone. I admit to my wrong-doings, and most of the time I write about them on here too simply because I know when and have no problem admitting when I have screwed up.

When I turned 18 the credit card applications starting pouring in and I started signing my name to all of them. This was a direct result of a poor education and knowledge of money and how finances worked. The next thing I know my wallet hurt my butt when I sat on it because I had 8 credit cards. I became a victim of stupidity and one of the reasons why our country is in the position economically it is in now. I never had a problem paying my bills until I went to college. Then everything went down hill from there. The next thing I know my phone is ringing about once an hour and I owe over $16,000 in credit card debt. I changed my phone number, and ducked for a while until I could get my act together. Eventually I entered into credit counseling with an organization that for for a good bit of time was legit and lived up to their end of the bargain. During my two years of being with them paying $300 dollars a month through them for all of my creditors, arranging settlements on my own, and paying extra to my creditors when I could I got down to just over $ 3,000 in debt. Then the credit counseling organization started doing things they weren’t suppose to eventually leading to me having close to $750 in over draft fees with my bank. Then I got notice they were involved in a class action lawsuit for doing the same to many others. So I withdrew from the program with 3 creditors left to pay. Discover Bank being the largest with a balance of $ 1,698. I’ve paid the other two gradually, and sort of put Discover on the back burner. For one they made no attempt to contact me like the other two despite my address being updated with them.

Long story short…they’re suing me. Now understand, the purpose of this rant isn’t to duck my responsibility. While, it may not seem that way I have had every intention of paying them back. I think the fact that I have successfully paid down all but just over $2,000 in debt demonstrates that. I’m writing this because I think it is absolutely ridiculous that Discover Bank is willing to clog up our court system for $1, 698 dollars. First of all, it will cost them probably more than that in legal fees, and secondly, there are a lot more serious issues that need to be dealt with than $1,698 dollars that someone intends to pay!

Luckily, they’re willing to settle for terms that aren’t that bad but, the fact of the matter is a Sheriff’s deputy had to be busied delivering me a court summons, a clerk of the court had to do the paperwork, and a law office made hundreds of dollars all for something that could have been resolved with a simple letter of phone call.

So, I take some of the blame but, Discover Bank, NA. you are a perfect example of why the system is collapsing right now. Sure, you’re entitled to what is yours but, perhaps if you would have been a little more picky in determining who got what was yours, and a little less imbecilic in determining how to get it back you and all the other credit card companies wouldn’t be suffering quite like they are right now.

I’m just saying.

10 Reasons is how I review films, restaurants, books and music here at Unobjective Intelligence. I lay out 10 reasons why you SHOULD or SHOULD NOT see the movie, eat at the restaurant, read the book or buy the cd. They are listed in order from least important to most important.

Today, I’m giving you 10 reasons you should go see Seven Pounds starring Will Smith. I saw this on Christmas Day, and am sorry I’m just now getting around to posting this.

10.) You’ve been struggling with the concept of redemption lately.
09.) You haven’t seen a feel good movie in a long time that isn’t sappy and makes you want to choke yourself.
08.) You think Rosario Dawson is attractive even when she’s trying not to be.
07.) You’ve been trying to think of a way to teach your kids what the term “self-sacrifice” means.
06.) You think you’re a hero just because you donate blood every 8 weeks.
05.) You consider yourself a good person, merely because you opened the door for the guy in the wheel chair the other day.
04.) You really want to know what the movie is called Seven Pounds.
03.) You enjoyed Gabriele Muccino’s The Pursuit of Happiness.
02.) The last film you saw was absolutely ridiculous and did nothing more than make you feel stupid for watching it.
01.) You know that Will Smith is an incredible actor who can play any part he is in with absolute greatness.

There is apparently a new conspiracy out there, or at least many think it’s a conspiracy some folks are even referring to it as a new religion. The “haters” out there say that there is so much evidence, scientific evidence at that to dispute the claims of this so called religion or conspiracy. Whats even more better is that the followers of this new religion or the subscribers to this conspiracy theory of sorts say there is so much scientific evidence to prove that it is indeed NOT a conspiracy, nor a theory. I haven’t heard any say it’s not a religion but, since a religion is a set of guiding principals for ones life, I guess you could say that in a way these folks have created their own religion of sorts.

What am I talking about?

Global warming.

Saving the environment.

The whole “Green Revolution.”

That’s right apparently the erratic weather that our country has been experiencing the last several years, the million tons of trash building up in our land fills, the large number of folks dying of cancers, and diseases are all part of this huge conspiracy to make millions upon millions of dollars.

Yeah, I actually heard the guy filling in for Glen Beck mention that on his show this past Wednesday. He claims that the “green revolution” has now been completed with the advent of the Green Bible. Apparently, according to this guy and many more Al Gore is the god of those of us that try to live green, and are doing our part to protect our precious planet, and that the whole thing is this conspiracy to make millions of bucks. (That’s loosely paraphrased)

Lets make one thing clear, yes the ozone does have the ability to rebuild itself.
Yes it is rebuilding itself slowly, however we’re still doing are a pretty good job of depleting it at the same time.
And yes, Al Gore has taken the whole Global Warming thing a little too far and the political aspect is a bit ridiculous.
And yes, being environmentally conscious is expensive.
And yes, companies are probably making decent profits from it but, the same companies were making profits even when they weren’t making environmentally conscious products.

The worst thing that ever happened to the save the environment cause was Al Gore. Sure, An Inconvenient Truth brought the climate crisis to the mainstream in an incredible way but, because of Al Gores political ties it also caused a huge blow to the movements credibility.

Listen folks, being environmentally conscious isn’t about politics, it isn’t about money, or religion it is about protecting the one thing, the one resource we actually have the ability to completely protect: OUR PLANET!

I don’t try to live a green life because it’s trendy or because I want to help huge corporations profit from it. I do it like many others, because I believe that we have taken the most beautifully created object in the universe and really screwed it up. I don’t think whoever or whatever created Earth intended for us to be doing what we’ve been doing to it.

So you know what crazy conservative radio talk show host man…while the green revolution may indeed by definition be the newest religion out there, it doesn’t exists for profits, at least no more than the “lets live haphazardly and do whatever the hell we want to with our resources” religion does or did.

Early in December I ran across a story from the associated press about couples forced to live together despite being separated or divorced due to our troubled economy.

Personally I find this story irritating on many fronts.

First of all, it is yet one more reason why all the folks out there fighting it should shut their mouths and let the government do their job by stepping in and saving banks and large corporations. Everyday we are hearing of a new group or groups of folks who are being hurt as a result of the financial miss dealings that we allowed to happen.
Secondly, I’m a bit puzzled at how these couples couldn’t figure out what they needed to do in their relationship to make it work so they could stand each other yet, now that they have absolutely no choice they’re able to.

I am too young to have had a serious enough relationship to really know enough about the inner-workings of love or the dynamics of relationships. The bottom line is I simply haven’t had a relationship that I consider real in the first place so, for me it is hard to put my head around the idea that someone could stop loving some body. Maybe it could happen, in fact, I’m sure it probably could but, I for one, simply don’t understand how it could happen. Isn’t love this magnificent thing, sure it isn’t peace and harmony all the time but isn’t love an undying affection? For that reason I’m not a huge fan of divorce. There are times where divorce is warranted: cheating, abuse/violence (both mental and physical) but the excuse of irreconcilable differences, that is one reason for divorce that I simply can’t understand. If love is indeed a unwavering, undying affection between two people and those two people have entered into the union of marriage promising that affection to each other for the rest of their lives then how is it they can have irreconcilable differences? Isn’t there suppose to be some give in take in a relationship?

I just don’t get it.

I think this story bothered me so much because it seems almost hypocritical of these folks. I mean I know times are tough but, if you couldn’t tolerate each other so much that you had to end your life-long commitment to each other why are you living together?
To me it says: “Well things aren’t that bad.” And for me if things aren’t that bad, then why was a divorce necessary in the first place?

The fact that we celebrate a new year every year makes me laugh. Only humans would find a way to create a holiday out of the date changing…we’re always dreaming up new ways to celebrate and/or get the day off of work.

The thing that drives me nuts the most about New Years, is that it seems like everyone has an obsession with creating and trying to keep a new years resolution or resolutions. This bothers me for a multitude of reasons but, two stick out mainly. They are the fact that the likelihood of keeping a new years resolution is minimal at least based on my completely unscientific research and secondly, the definition of resolution is the act of resolving but, most of our resolutions resolve very little in fact they do quite the opposite, they create a multitude of other issues to deal with.

That is why I don’t do New Years resolutions. I do however create goals on a regular basis, and since the beginning of the year marks the beginning of twelve months that I have to achieve goals I usually come up with a myriad of new goals at the beginning of every year. So, I figured I’d give you a glimpse of some of my goals for 2009. Some of these are new, some of them are old that I am still working on achieving. Some may seem silly, and others may seem completely weird. I figure if I post them here then at the end of 2009 I’ll be able to have an excuse to share which ones I did and did not complete in 2009.

My goals for the coming year: (In no order of importance whatsoever)

- Walk a minimum of 25 miles a week. (Right now I’m averaging 10 miles a week, and it has really helped my health, I figure 25 miles may open up all types of new doors)

- Change jobs. (Yes, I just started a new job, and I have every intention of staying with the company I am with right now but, I would like to do something different I’m already absolutely bored with what it is I do now)

- Be more involved with Element. (My relationship with Element has been a very turbulent roller coaster since the beginning. I didn’t want to be involved but, Someone had other plans and while I’ve done my very best to resist His plans He has helped me realize that place and those people need me, about as bad as I need it/them)

- Take Unobjective Intelligence to the next level. (I’m not exactly sure what this looks like yet, my readership is up substantially from when I started, I am completely happy with where it’s at but, I feel like there is so much more that this Online community can accomplish from various social justice issues to political issues to all types of other things. I am friends with or a fan of a lot of folks who are changing the world and creating some incredible communities through their blog. I feel like there is a void though still and perhaps UI can fill it…who knows)

- Leave Florida at least twice. (I am already planning to visit my buddy Randy in Tennessee sometime this year, but, I’d like to travel some where else outside Florida as well…any ideas?)

- Grow the relationships that I’ve developed with the students I work with. (These kids need a friend, specifically a friend who wants to see them become better people and make an insane contribution to society…I’d like to be that friend)

- Work on making No Motives a reality. (No Motives is the non-profit working towards making the world a better place for no reason other than it’s what we should do)

- Give Chase bank a chance. (I’m still pissed about WaMu failing and Chase swooping in to save them but, I want to give Chase bank a chance to prove to me their not the evil corporation they have already proved to me that they are)

- Study more philosophy, as more questions, determine why people’s minds do what they do and why they act they way they act. (I think this one speaks for itself)

- Record more videos/take more pictures. (Why not)

- Be more involved in my community. (I feel like I am fairly active in community affairs but, I think there is still so much more I can be doing)

- Watch more documentaries. (I have learned a crap load of stuff from the documentaries I have watched and they have allowed me to ask some very serious questions, and explore incredible ideas…I enjoy that and want to do it more in 2009)

- Write more. (2008 let me renew my passion for the word, and I’d like to continue that renewal in 2009, be it by free lancing or even just blogging more)

- Grow as a human, a man, a friend, an employee, a son, a brother, maybe even as a boyfriend (The last one is a stretch but, if it happens I hope that I’ll grow that role in my life as well as all those others)

What are some of your goals or **sigh** if you have them, resolutions for 2009?

I’ll leave you with a V.Log update about the things to come on Unobjective Intelligence.

Welcome to 2009.

Well another year has come and gone. Gone with it are all the memories, good or bad of 2008 and any transgressions. Right? Isn’t that the point of a new year?

My 2008 was great. I got a new job that pays well, and for the most part seems secure which in this economy is huge. I had the opportunity to work on the campaign of the guy elected President of the United States. I marched in a parade representing him, I’ve talked to thousands of folks in the process of getting him elected and learned more about the entire political process than I could have ever dreamed of learning.

I managed to infuse myself in the incredible world of social media through Twitter, and this blog. I have seen Unobjective Intelligence grow from a measly old blogspot blog to what it is today. Readership has increased, subscriptions have increased and conversations have become frequent as a result of the things I’ve written. Furthermore I have found a new outlet for my pent up frustration, bitterness and creativity. I have renewed my passion for the written word, for philosophy, commentary, social justice and the world at large.

I have met through the internet and in “real life” many new aquaintances that I am sure I’ll have along for the ride for many years to come.

I’ve moved back to the city I grew up in and I’m fairly certain that I will not be leaving again anytime soon.

2008 in my opinion was a highly productive year and 2009 is going to be even better. Tomorrow I’ll be posting not a New Years resolution post, because lets face it, resolutions fail but, It’ll be a post detailing some of my goals and things I wish to achieve in 2009.

Happy new year to you. I have 2008 was productive for you as well, and I wish you much love for 2009.

Thank you for continuing on this journey with me.

If you have been hanging out here at UI for any period of time then you know that I am a huge fan of music. You also know that I am very liberal in my music tastes…well among other things.

Anyway, I used to produce the Will Young Family newsletter but, realized last year how ridiculous that was since there was actually no Will Young family. I thought to myself “Who the hell produces a 4 page newsletter all about themselves.” So, I discontinued it. One part of that newsletter was my top 10 songs of the year. I figured I’d continue that tradition here. Except edit it slightly, make it my top 11, because top 10’s are cliche.

So, here is 2008’s top 11 as recorded by me.

**RSS READERS: LOTS OF VIDEOS ATTACHED TO THIS POST, PLEASE CHECK OUT http://www.willyoungband.com/2008/12/top-11-songs-of-2008top-10-songs-of-2008/ to see them.

11.) Paper Planes by M.I.A

You know me. I am all about the social commentary and M.I.A. who has been on the scene for years debuted Paper Planes and it left it’s mark on my 2008.

10.) Umbrella by Rhianna featuring Jay-Z

Rhianna hit 2008 big and I think Umbrella really sparked it all off. It was pretty much everyones summer anthem.

9.) Sex on Fire by Kings of Leon

Have you ever heard a song on the radio and been like “Man, that song is incredible.” Then you hear it all the time and it drives you nuts trying to figure out who it is by? That’s how Sex on Fire was for me. I almost went nuts trying to figure out who did this song and now that I have discovered the Kings of Leon, I am blown away.

8.) I will possess your heart by Death Cab for Cutie

Death Cab is another one of those bands that I had heard of but, never realized just how good they were until this year.

7.) The way I am by Ingrid Michaelson

I have been Ingrid Michaelson’s myspace friend for quite some time but, she became huge this year and I’ve got to say she’s as great as ever!

6.) Put On (Bay to the Bottom Remix) featuring a Crap load of Talent

I love when the local guys do it big, and Wild 98.7 did it big this year with their first mix disc “The Voice of the City” and the closing track a remix of Put On featuring Orlando, DJ Christion, Two Pistols and many more.

5.) Shattered by O.A.R

I have to admit that Shattered got on my nerves when it first debuted. Radio over played it but, now I’m enjoying it immensely.

4.) I’m Yours - Jason Mraz

I feel almost queer admitting that I really enjoy this.

My top 3 can all be summed up simply be me saying they served as the anthem of my 2008.

3.) Live your Life by T.I. featuring Rhianna

2.) My Life by the Game featuring Lil Wayne

1.) Handlebars by Flobots

The Flobots by far, became my favorite band of 2008. They’re lyrics are infused with more social commentary than my small mind can handle. They challenged me in many ways in 2008 through their music and I am grateful.

What are some of your favorite songs of 2008?

You would be thrown back if I posted half the e-mails I get in reference to my Thoughts on the Casey Anthony Case and my More thoughts on the Casey Anthony Case posts.

In the last 3 days I have literally received over 100 e-mails from folks ranging from those wanting to know what my thoughts on the case are now, to yet a larger amount of the threatening nature “I hope you rot in hell just like she does” messages, and my personal favorite: Were you involved. Got to love the internet.

Here’s the deal folks, I am formulating a large post that I plan on posting after the first of the year. The fact of the matter is we still have way too much information coming in on the case and the media coverage is still largely focused on placing blame on Casey Anthony rather than reporting facts. Stayed tuned, please keep sending me your messages, I’m dying to hear what you have to say…even those of you who hope I get the same “terrible death Casey inflicting upon Caylee.”

I just ask one thing: Remember that Casey Anthony is innocent until proved otherwise by a jury of her peers - - which given the large number of messages I received probably won’t be too hard to make happen. :-/

I think all of us spend a great deal of time in reflection as one year closes and another begins. This could be attributed to trying to push ourselves to some sort of New Year’s resolution, or it could simply be the fact that we are becoming a year older and that’s just what you do when you become a year older…you reflect.

For me, it’s the later of the two because I am of the realist belief that the likelihood of me keeping a New Year’s resolution is minimal at best so, why waste my time coming up with any. I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting over the last several weeks and couple of months. I think the combination of my severe health issues and the realization that you really DON’T live forever have helped the process some.

Reflecting on life can be as hazardous to your health as it can be helpful.

For me I think I have found the perfect combination of hazard and help. For instance in my reflecting I’ve realized something I knew for quite a while but have been scared to say out loud. I am absolutely petrified of being in one place for too long. I used to think I’m going to settle down in the area I grew up in and buy a home and live happily ever after but, the more I think about it the more I realize that is the exact opposite of what I want. I don’t want to be chained down to a place and making a multi-hundred-thousand dollar investment in a home is nothing more than a chain. I enjoy the freedom of knowing when I get sick of a place, or people, that I can simply pack up and leave. Some folks say that is the cowardly approach to living but for me, its reality. You shouldn’t be forced to have to deal with a place or people that you have no desire to deal with.

I also realized that the only time I feel unhappy is when I allow someone else to tell me I am unhappy. My persona is such that most interactions folks have with me leave them thinking I am miserable when in fact, quite the opposite is true. I’m not a big emotions person…I am sure I have them, I am after all human; I just don’t use them very often. My inability to function emotionally often times bewilders those around me leading them down this daunting road of feeling like they have to convince me to be a happier person when in fact I am already that happy person they are trying to make me become.

I’ve realized a lot but, I think the third most significant realization I’ve come to is that everything and everybody is ok. Modest Mouse said in their song Float On that “We’ll all float on ok” and I think for a long time I’ve been under the idea that my role in this world is to fix all the problems or at least the things that I think are problems. The only problem with that idea is that I’ve become so enamored with fixing the problems of everything and everyone around me that I’ve lost sight of my problems and have allowed them to become more monumental in nature. The bottom line is we all WILL float on and everything WILL be ok with or without me.

I would encourage you to do some reflection as the year draws to a close. It’s important to realize why you are who you are and why you do the things you do. It’ll give you a greater appreciation for yourself and for the world around you.