Wednesday, April 13, 2011

My Dog Ate my Blog Post

Yeah, I don't have a dog, I'm more of a cat guy anyway....

As it turns out, I thought that what I had today might not have been appropriate for alot of my readers and decided to hold off on such a touchy subject for a bit. Besides, alot of my readers are in my home country and slagging it from overseas can sometimes be seen as kinda snotty.

And I don't want to give the wrong impression. I love America, I have just found myself being way too disappointed with the people there and the way we seem to have found value in the worthless and kicked the truly substantial to the curb. The picture on the right demonstrates that sentiment perfectly. But like I said, I am going to hold off on wagging my finger at a country from my fortified compound in a tropical paradise. That just reeks of bad taste...

So today, what I'd like to do is a little Q&A! Ask me anything, and I will be happy to answer it. It can be a question about adjusting to life overseas, about the ongoing back story, or even a personal question. One of the things I have been notoriously bad at has been replying to some of your comments (probably because I comment on 300+ other blogs a day and spend hours on my favorites), and I'd like to make up for that today.

So ask away!


49 comments:

Kicking Rocks said...

are you ever coming back to Florida?

Aaron M. Gipson said...

@Kicking Rocks

Yeah I am actually! This will be the first time in five years that I have come back too. I have alot of friends that I really have to see as well as attend my high school 20 year reunion. We should grab a beer when I'm there.

Fix PC Games Admin said...

Do you own any pets? :3 I love cats too but I have a dog -,-

Aaron M. Gipson said...

@amBored

Somehow during the course of the attempted mugging last month, I acquired a new kitteh. I named him Taco Chino (egg roll in Spanish), and we've been joined at the hip ever since. I also feed alot of the local birds that come into my yard, but I don't consider them 'pets' in as much as friends who stop by.

The Angry Lurker said...

Kicking Rocks asked a question I probably would have asked but no I'm good.

T. Banacek said...

I do enough finger wagging from this frozen tundra for the both of us.

You mentioned once that you studied martial arts. Which one(s)?

Shutterbug said...

What is the most embarrassing thing that has ever happen to you? :P

Aaron M. Gipson said...

@Banacek

When I was 8 years old, I was fascinated with the Chinese martial arts, and actually took on a paper route to pay for lessons at Lannom's Kung Fu Center in in Ft. Lauderdale and the Wa Lum Temple in Orlando. My favorites to study were Northern Shaolin, Wing Chun, and Pa Kua. I did the tournament circuit for a while (weapons and forms demonstrations) and stuck with it to this day. I never got into any other sports, and this is always what I've used to stay in shape and flexible.

Aaron M. Gipson said...

@Shutterbug

Hands down, getting caught in mid "ending" of a fap session by my girlfriend's mother who walked in on me in the bathroom. I was 15 and she made a really big deal out of it...

Sharon Day said...

I guess I've never used popular culture of what's on TV to define who I am or what I'm about. I'm a rebel and a loner and a natural born leader and not a sheep. So, I don't give a flying fig what snooki is wearing or how the OC wives diet. The popular culture of a society and its people are vastly different. If that was not so, then Japan would be screwed because their women wear hello kitty everywhere and dress like little girls but their people are stoic hard workers who are highly intelligent, so culture and people-separate issues. That said, my reps for America would have to be folks like T. Boone Pickens who are seeing the bigger picture for the US to launch from being known as the 1900s automakers to the green leaders of the world. That said, I want to get to the question part of this mock-posting:
"Did you break your family's heart when you moved so far away and do you miss family?"

Aaron M. Gipson said...

@Autumnforest
That's one of the reasons I like you so much, your uniqueness along with your disregard for conventional...anything. That's why I can't get enough of your writings either.

And yes, I do miss my family. Incredibly so. It might have broken my mother's heart a little, but everyone has been pretty supportive over the course of these five years.

Anonymous said...

Your dog did NOT eat your blog post! LOL! Facebook friend here...who was your first love?

Aaron M. Gipson said...

@Anonymous

I'm pretty sure this is Rachel, but I could be wrong. But to answer your question, my first crush was a girl named Sheryl Staelens (she hated me)when I was 11-12, but my first love was a girl named Robin Lawley who I dated for about 8 months in 10th grade.

ed said...

wow 300+. whats 48÷2(9+3)?
srs question

Aaron M. Gipson said...

@Ed

Yeah man...300+. Keeps me on my toes, that's for sure. Luckily not all of them post every day though LOL.

And the answer to your question is 288.

duffboi said...

Don't judge me, hehehe. But is marijuana legal there? or if its not, how strict are the policies controlling it?

Aaron M. Gipson said...

@duffboi

The Costa Rican government decriminalized small amounts for personal use in 2007. But the wording of the law is such that it's pretty much up to the officer who catches you with it. It's not an Amsterdam style free for all situation by any means, but it's not seen as a harmful drug like cocaine or smack either.

No judging at all, my friend. I've been known to fire one up on special occasions myself. I would urge you to never make it a habit though as it completely destroys motivation with alot of use.

Melanie said...

Ummmm....I just took some xanax so I can't think of a good question, but I reserve the right to do so at a later. Also, I would like to thank you for being my friend, and if you ever make it all the way to where I am (not that I am sure why you would want to visit this dump - other than to visit us) we are having some serious cocktails.

Aaron M. Gipson said...

Right back at you Melanie! I plan on coming back for a bit this summer and maybe road tripping with some friends after my high school reunion. Who knows? Maybe we can add Michigan to our list. If so, the drinks are on me!

You just worry about feeling better and letting your friends help carry that weight until it doesn't hurt anymore!

Body1 said...

Besides America what country you think you can live a beautiful life?

Aaron M. Gipson said...

@body1

I think you can live a beautiful life wherever you go, but I think I understand the intent of the question. For me, I am a tropical species through and through. I grew up in South Florida, so hot and muggy to me is like a quiet winter's day for others. If I ever moved from CR, I think my next stop would be somewhere in SE Asia like Thailand, Taiwan, Singapore, or Indonesia.

Astronomy Pirate said...

Ah, yeah, don't worry, I agree with you on the values thing. I don't get how people can snub going out and looking at the stars for American Idol.

My question would be about the technological level down there. I know you said the place was set to become the next, or a southern, Silicon Valley. Is it still that way and how difficult is it to come by the tech stuff you might want or need?

I also have a small interest in knowing if they have any contributions to any international space efforts?

Coco said...

ever met a paradise in southamerica? .. There are many

Aaron M. Gipson said...

@ Astro Pirate
Down here, one of the national heroes is Franklin Chang Diaz, and he is the highest ranking Latin American in NASA. A really good article on him can be found here...

http://www.infocostarica.com/people/franklin.html

And as far as the technology levels down here, I would say that the internet accessibility in the more remote areas (70% of the country) is notorious for being a bit slow, but it's broadband nonetheless. The govt. just issued an announcement that by the year 2013, everyone in CR will have access to free broadband wireless as well. I lovez me the Socialismo Democracia!

Gloria Baker said...

Aaron, I enjoyed reading your answer is so nice sometimes can talk withour friends bloggers, I think you can live happy in any part of the world if you are with people you love, and I understand you missed your family.
But is the life I think.
Aaron think in me like a friend really when you want talk or others.
I comment you the other time I have in Costa Rica a friend that is like a sister for me she lives here in Chile with my family by one year. But always we talk and she come to see my family time on time, she is american (Ana Marría Ortiz) but know live in Costa Rica, is a nice persona if you need someones to talk too. Huggsss, gloria


I have three dogs! (LOL)

Aaron M. Gipson said...

@ Coco

Yes indeed I have! Two of my favorite cities in the world are Rio de Janeiro and Barranquilla, Colombia!

Aaron M. Gipson said...

@Gloria

I absolutely consider you to be a good friend, and you are probably one of the sweetest people I have met online. Thank you for being you and know that you are in my thoughts!

Jay said...

so...who is that guy on the left?

lol? just kidding! keep up the great blogging! :

Kicking Rocks said...

Beer sounds great! lol

Grafted said...

What would you do with a million dollars?

G said...

If you could take one thing with you from Florida to your new home, what would it be - and why?

Marlene said...

How many countries have you visited?

Aaron M. Gipson said...

@ Grafted
I would invest the bejeezus out of it an never wake up before 11AM ever again. Ever.

@G
That one is easy my friend, I would bring my son.

Aaron M. Gipson said...

@Marlene

When I was a Marine, I traveled very extensively throughout Europe and (of course) the Middle East. After sitting down and actually counting, I have come up with about 32. I really love to travel as you can tell LOL.

Shawn said...

Who has over 1400 followers,
over 42,000 hits & is ending his blog while he is in the David Lee Roth Era of his blog ....so he doesn't end his blog in a Gary Cherone Era?
I really enjoy your writing, I will have one more final post to wrap up the ?'s and goodbyes.
Peace
Shawn

Blog Hunt said...

Are you coming back!!?

Anonymous said...

I like cats too.

Do you have a favourite artist?

Aaron M. Gipson said...

@Shawn
You, my friend! I had no idea that you had a Gary Cherone blog you were favoring. I guess if you split your time too much, it will become a Sammy Hager blog, and no one wants that...

@JapRoulette
I will be coming back to the States this summer for a visit, but I don't see myself living there permanently until some major changes happen over there.

@A Hermit
Canvas: Frederick Remington
Music: Lennon / McCartney
Film: Stanley Kubrick
Martial: Jee Sin Sim See (Shaolin Monk)
Sandwich: Pepe at my local deli

-inastateofblue said...

Dogs are out saving people and stuff, what have cats done lately o;

The Reckmonster said...

I was wondering - you being a Marine - (and MAD respect from me to everyone who serves or has served!!!) - would you still die for your country? Or is the adage "My country, right or wrong...still my country" a dead value for you? And I don't mean that disrespectfully in any way, shape or form...It's just that even though I share the same level of disillusionment about what goes on here - I would never want to be anything but an American (and I say that as a person with a mother who is from another country). I've lived all over the world too (Army brat), and I STILL love this country even when it's being run by a bunch of weasels and populated with too many lemmings. Just curious. :)

Aaron M. Gipson said...

@las3r
Don't get me wrong, I have known an loved alot of dogs. Cats fit my personality a little better in that they are more independent and don't jump all over me when I walk in the door.

@The Reckmonster
If the United States was ever invaded or attacked on it's own soil, I would be on the first plane, boat, camel, whatever to get there and be on the front line. I love my country, I just hate my government and the apparent disregard that the general populace has for our founding principles.

Moobeat said...

that mangy mut

Lhosreiff said...

Ummm...What do you like to eat on your toast?

jopjopjop said...

You really are a very active blogger and i love your blog/comments!

My question:
Are you going to stay in Costa Rica?

Aaron M. Gipson said...

@Lhosreiff
Nutella!

@-DO-
I will definitely be staying here permanently!

Shutterbug said...

Aaron, I also wanted to say, I love this blog idea. I might just steal it. :)

Marlene said...

32 countries?!!!! WOW!!! I was gonna guess 14...and that would have been impressive!

Astronomy Pirate said...

I just read the article on Chang Diaz. Man, that guy sounds cool. Costa Rica is a lucky nation to have an astronaut and one of the worlds top scientists. It's good to see they have bright plans for the future.

nycjules said...

i just found your blog a few days ago after tiring of the ones on PR - where i'm living now - no one is nearly as active or interesting. i made my decision to move from nyc b/c even in my 40's i'm on disability and need to keep that. you had a great set-up to begin with, but do you have tips for someone in a new land (and PR is considered a different country by mainlanders and PRcans) to break through the initial phase. i'm pretty capable, but on a budget, living outside the tourist area of san juan. tourist places are expensive and you meet tourists, locals sit around playing dominoes, i can walk to the beach. i'm trying to embrace the new experience through photography, but i feel like i've hit a wall - i expected culture shock, but this place is soooo backward. also i've read your series of how you got there, but it's hard to read your archives in chronological order on your site. i've subscribed, so i get it on yahoo. p.s. i moved here with my cat and her kill list is growing - she's a great mouser. glad i found your blog, keep up the great work.