Here's the thing about summer here. It seems to be better suited for insomniacs. I mean, while sunshine is beautiful and all, you get 100 degree rays blaring down at you for a few hours a day and the sunshine doesn't seem so beautiful anymore. You hibernate in your cool home because even spending a few seconds outside is an experience you never want to have. And to go where anyways? The mall? Again? The movie theatre? Again? The bookstore? Well, yes, the bookstore. Always yes to the bookstore.
Anyways, going out and exploring the world is for summer nights in my world. The day is for graduation parties and parents and sometimes, but rarely work. I take the graveyard shift of life now. To me, nothing good happens before 7:00pm. Well, unless you still haven't slept yet and the adventure is still going.
What sucks is when someone asks you to drag your butt out of bed and take the daytime shift like the unadapted humans of this world. It feels like you need people to tell you what the ABC's are and how to put on your shoes. You have to remember how to get dressed and look for the day, not just the night. It's much easier getting ready for the night.
Anyways, seeing as I am slowly becoming the very definition of an insomniac, I no longer care if I update this blog frequently. Maybe, if I wake up during normal human hours or if there's nothing to do that night, but I am sleepy and groggy and feel like I must of spent the night going on wild adventures when really all I did was talk, jump on a trampoline and watch a bunch of movies. Now it is time to get ready for the daytime shift. Gotta shower for the parents, ya know?
I can't think of anything witty to say about nighttime/ daytime/ sleep here, so make something up, my lovelies.
(Short aside. Emily Dickinson once wrote, "This is my letter to the world that never wrote to me." Likewise, the world never wrote me a letter, but I am writing it a letter, in the form of this blog. So whenever I write this, I think, that at the most, five- okay, two- people are reading it, but I'm writing it for everyone. That's all.)
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
How To Be Remembered
A few months ago, I got a haircut. It was a pretty impressive haircut, actually. I went from having hair a few inches past my shoulders, to hair that was just past my chin. It was a completely new look. One of my best friends who has known me since 5th grade, didn't recognize me in the hallway at school. Completely dramatic. It was exactly what I was going for. People loved it. I loved it. And fifty years from now, I don't want people to look back and think of me with that haircut.
My super long hair is just so me. For years, people played with, complemented and recognized me by my hair. It would be like someone remembering how I look in a dress and heels, because while I may look fantastic, it would be a shame if no one remembered me in my jeans and converse.
There's a reason why candid photos are always so great and that's because the moments caught in them are completely real. Posed pictures are great and beautiful and I have nothing against them, but candids are always a little more special. I want people to remember the candid me, not the posed me.
It's hard when people are trying so often to change for the world around them. I don't think that it's necessarily a bad thing either. In my case, I loved my haircut and thought it was great. It makes things confusing though, because when you keep changing it's like posing for the whole world. But once you realize people are looking, it's almost impossible to let your guard down.
All I know is that I want to be remembered as that girl with the super long blond hair, who always wore converse and jeans. Well, I want to be remembered for more than that. Things like my personality are important too, but it's a start.
Clothing Changes: 2
Showers: 1
Temperature: 99
My super long hair is just so me. For years, people played with, complemented and recognized me by my hair. It would be like someone remembering how I look in a dress and heels, because while I may look fantastic, it would be a shame if no one remembered me in my jeans and converse.
There's a reason why candid photos are always so great and that's because the moments caught in them are completely real. Posed pictures are great and beautiful and I have nothing against them, but candids are always a little more special. I want people to remember the candid me, not the posed me.
It's hard when people are trying so often to change for the world around them. I don't think that it's necessarily a bad thing either. In my case, I loved my haircut and thought it was great. It makes things confusing though, because when you keep changing it's like posing for the whole world. But once you realize people are looking, it's almost impossible to let your guard down.
All I know is that I want to be remembered as that girl with the super long blond hair, who always wore converse and jeans. Well, I want to be remembered for more than that. Things like my personality are important too, but it's a start.
Clothing Changes: 2
Showers: 1
Temperature: 99
First of All....
I didn't write a blog yesterday for a multitude of reasons. But before I list my excuses, I would like to say that no excuses are necessary, because I never actually said I was going to blog everyday. I only implied it, by stating I would record a list of things each day, which I didn't yesterday. The only reason I'm really doing this in the first place is because a teacher once told me that I should write every day and having just graduated, I feel like I should at least follow one of my teachers' advice.
Which brings me to excuse number one. Yesterday, I did write, but not on this blog. Instead, I wrote an advice column for super villains.
Here is a bit of that:
Ask Vikki
Your devious minds come up with the questions and my years of experience in the field of villainry give me the answers!
Dear Vikki,
Lately it seems like all my victims keep getting away. Right as I’m about to kill them, some hero leaps in and “saves the day”. I’d like to kill them sooner, but that would mean cutting out my dramatic speeches with impossible ultimatums that I ask my nemesis. No matter what I do, whether it be wrap every up and duck tape them to a pole and then proceed to divulge my plot upon them, or hanging two innocent loved ones of my nemesis over a vat of lava giving him an impossible choice of who to rescue, they always get away unscathed.
How can I keep my flair for the dramatic, but still, for once, kill my victims?
- The Not so Villainous Villain
Dear Villain,
This sounds like a classic case of overestimating those pesky heroes. Heroes, as we all know, are a bit unstable and thus, unpredictable. It’s impossible to tell what kind of crazy thing they’re going to try next. Just imagine if you stuck all the heroes in one room. They would tear everything to shreds like a bunch of rabid monkeys. They are instinctual, not logical, which is why your brilliant plans never quite go as planned.
If you want your plan to work, you need to act more like them. If you want someone dead, kill them as soon as they are in your grasp. If you have hostages and are giving your nemesis an ultimatum, give them only a couple of seconds to think and then possibly leap to rescue one of the hostages. Cut your speeches down to the bare minimum. You nemesis, most likely already knows why you’re doing what you’re doing and there’s no need to share much else. They don’t need to hear any of your brilliant ideas, miraculous discoveries or juicy dark secrets. Keep those things to yourself. Plus, it will annoy the hell out of those prissy pants heroes. They hate not knowing what’s going on.
One last tip, concentrate more on the kill than what leads up to it. I mean, kidnapping your hostage from a shopping mall in a helicopter and then flying to a deserted island is certainly dramatic, but it’s worth nothing if in the end you wind up doing nothing more than slitting their throat.
Love,
Vikki
Which brings me to excuse number one. Yesterday, I did write, but not on this blog. Instead, I wrote an advice column for super villains.
Here is a bit of that:
Ask Vikki
Your devious minds come up with the questions and my years of experience in the field of villainry give me the answers!
Dear Vikki,
Lately it seems like all my victims keep getting away. Right as I’m about to kill them, some hero leaps in and “saves the day”. I’d like to kill them sooner, but that would mean cutting out my dramatic speeches with impossible ultimatums that I ask my nemesis. No matter what I do, whether it be wrap every up and duck tape them to a pole and then proceed to divulge my plot upon them, or hanging two innocent loved ones of my nemesis over a vat of lava giving him an impossible choice of who to rescue, they always get away unscathed.
How can I keep my flair for the dramatic, but still, for once, kill my victims?
- The Not so Villainous Villain
Dear Villain,
This sounds like a classic case of overestimating those pesky heroes. Heroes, as we all know, are a bit unstable and thus, unpredictable. It’s impossible to tell what kind of crazy thing they’re going to try next. Just imagine if you stuck all the heroes in one room. They would tear everything to shreds like a bunch of rabid monkeys. They are instinctual, not logical, which is why your brilliant plans never quite go as planned.
If you want your plan to work, you need to act more like them. If you want someone dead, kill them as soon as they are in your grasp. If you have hostages and are giving your nemesis an ultimatum, give them only a couple of seconds to think and then possibly leap to rescue one of the hostages. Cut your speeches down to the bare minimum. You nemesis, most likely already knows why you’re doing what you’re doing and there’s no need to share much else. They don’t need to hear any of your brilliant ideas, miraculous discoveries or juicy dark secrets. Keep those things to yourself. Plus, it will annoy the hell out of those prissy pants heroes. They hate not knowing what’s going on.
One last tip, concentrate more on the kill than what leads up to it. I mean, kidnapping your hostage from a shopping mall in a helicopter and then flying to a deserted island is certainly dramatic, but it’s worth nothing if in the end you wind up doing nothing more than slitting their throat.
Love,
Vikki
So, moving on. Also, yesterday, I was a little bit tired. Like, I did not actually get dressed or leave the house until I had to go to work at 6:00. And then, when I got home, I may or may not have showered and instead wrote the superhero advice column and by the time I was done with that, I was really tired, so I went to sleep.
End of story. But I did make up for it now, so everything is fair.
Monday, June 14, 2010
The Bookstore
There is a place that I can stay for hours. It's comfortable, safe and never too crowded. Whether I'm alone or with friends, I'm always entertained. It's convenient and the perfect place to just drop in for a few minutes or spend the whole day. The bookstore is like my second home.
By the bookstore, I mean whichever bookstore is most accessible in my current location. It is true that some bookstores are better than others. Some are shiny and new, complete with a coffee shop and super clean bathrooms. Their books are neat and organized; the covers shiny and crisp; the smell of fresh pages fills the store. Others are vast and disorganized chaos. Rows and rows of different shaped and sized bookcases wind throughout the store. Sometimes you have to squeeze through tight spaces or wander around running into dead ends and tiny rooms, just to find the book you're looking for. The floors are uneven, the temperature varies every couple of feet and it would probably be easier to find a rare baseball card than the bathroom. The books, of course, are worn and used. It would be a special case to find a book without a little bit of wear and tear and it smells like coffee, without the coffee shop. But no matter the bookstore, they all have one thing in common, that makes them home- books.
I've loved to read since second grade. Until that point, I can honestly say, that I pretty much knew nothing about reading. I suppose I had some interest in reading, because my parents bought me plenty of books and we went to the library, but when it came to reading in school, I have no good memories until second grade. In kindergarten, I went to the school's library. The whole class had to cram inside a tiny room with no air conditioning and look at books set up on folding tables- no bookcases in sight. In first grade, once I'd moved to a different state, I remember watching in horror as one of my classmates read a book aloud to class with no help from the teacher, something I could only dream of doing.
In second grade, though, I learned that I loved to read. My teacher helped me catch up to the rest of my classmates and soon, I was ahead of them. My teacher put me in a smaller group of classmates for students with high reading levels. From then on, I practically devoured books. In middle school, I was reading literally every second I could. I read in the hallways, walking to my next class and always had a book on my desk, so that if a teacher stopped teaching for a minute I could have something to read. The few times a teacher has ever scolded me, have mostly been about me reading when I shouldn't be.
So, I love books, but that's not enough. Bookstores have memories for me too. I have good memories with all the people I care about in bookstores. It's not just a place I go with friends, but a place I've made friends, run into friends and seen a few people I'd like to be friends with. The funny thing is, that the familiar faces I see at bookstores are always friendly ones. I don't think I've ever seen someone I didn't like at a bookstore. There are the occasional groups of bratty middle schoolers, but they don't cause too much harm and never stay long. Everyone else, from that guy who sits in the chairs with a pile of books and his laptop, to the super adorable, cute, totally sexy and funny cashier, to the person I haven't talked to in years, is wonderful.
I love bookstores! Why do people not appreciate them as much as I do? Instead of McDonald's and nail salons, there should be a bookstore on every corner. I would go to all of them.
Wardrobe Changes: 2
Showers: 1
Temperature: 97
By the bookstore, I mean whichever bookstore is most accessible in my current location. It is true that some bookstores are better than others. Some are shiny and new, complete with a coffee shop and super clean bathrooms. Their books are neat and organized; the covers shiny and crisp; the smell of fresh pages fills the store. Others are vast and disorganized chaos. Rows and rows of different shaped and sized bookcases wind throughout the store. Sometimes you have to squeeze through tight spaces or wander around running into dead ends and tiny rooms, just to find the book you're looking for. The floors are uneven, the temperature varies every couple of feet and it would probably be easier to find a rare baseball card than the bathroom. The books, of course, are worn and used. It would be a special case to find a book without a little bit of wear and tear and it smells like coffee, without the coffee shop. But no matter the bookstore, they all have one thing in common, that makes them home- books.
I've loved to read since second grade. Until that point, I can honestly say, that I pretty much knew nothing about reading. I suppose I had some interest in reading, because my parents bought me plenty of books and we went to the library, but when it came to reading in school, I have no good memories until second grade. In kindergarten, I went to the school's library. The whole class had to cram inside a tiny room with no air conditioning and look at books set up on folding tables- no bookcases in sight. In first grade, once I'd moved to a different state, I remember watching in horror as one of my classmates read a book aloud to class with no help from the teacher, something I could only dream of doing.
In second grade, though, I learned that I loved to read. My teacher helped me catch up to the rest of my classmates and soon, I was ahead of them. My teacher put me in a smaller group of classmates for students with high reading levels. From then on, I practically devoured books. In middle school, I was reading literally every second I could. I read in the hallways, walking to my next class and always had a book on my desk, so that if a teacher stopped teaching for a minute I could have something to read. The few times a teacher has ever scolded me, have mostly been about me reading when I shouldn't be.
So, I love books, but that's not enough. Bookstores have memories for me too. I have good memories with all the people I care about in bookstores. It's not just a place I go with friends, but a place I've made friends, run into friends and seen a few people I'd like to be friends with. The funny thing is, that the familiar faces I see at bookstores are always friendly ones. I don't think I've ever seen someone I didn't like at a bookstore. There are the occasional groups of bratty middle schoolers, but they don't cause too much harm and never stay long. Everyone else, from that guy who sits in the chairs with a pile of books and his laptop, to the super adorable, cute, totally sexy and funny cashier, to the person I haven't talked to in years, is wonderful.
I love bookstores! Why do people not appreciate them as much as I do? Instead of McDonald's and nail salons, there should be a bookstore on every corner. I would go to all of them.
Wardrobe Changes: 2
Showers: 1
Temperature: 97
Sunday, June 13, 2010
First Official Day of Summer?
I proclaim that today is the first REAL day of summer. School actually ended a couple of days ago, but since then, the days have been filled with school related things, such as, graduation, graduation parties, my grandparents flying in for graduation, etc. Anyways, since yesterday I graduated, I am now free for the summer! Except, a couple of work days, a few birthday parties and orientation, but other than that, it's all sleeping in, staying up late and anything to cool down.
It is hot. Not the kind of hot where you sit around in a bikini and sip lemonade by the pool, but the kind of hot where if you sit for more than a minute in an un-air conditioned car, a pool of sweat will form in your seat. It is thirty degrees cooler in my house than it is outside. No one where's pants, because it's uncomfortable to walk in between cool, air conditioned areas, in the heat with anything but shorts or skirts on. I think that if you could tolerate staying outside long enough, you really could fry an egg on the sidewalk.
Anyways, with all this heat, comes a lot of sweat and with all that sweat comes a lot of changing of clothes. Not to mention, that June just happens to be the month of events for me. There's at least one birthday or graduation party a day. Today, I went from shorts and a tank, to a t-shirt, to a dress, back to shorts and t-shirt, to another dress and finally back to pj's. That's six changes in one day! That may seem a little unreasonable and usually I would agree, but trust me, with the sweat and weather, my body and skin thank me for the change of clothes each time. Even if I weren't changing for different occasions, I would be getting rid of my sweaty clothes on a regular basis.
Anyways, despite the excessive amount of wardrobe changes and sweat, I did manage to get a lot done today. I got some things for my dorm, went to a party, bought a book and watched a movie with my friend.
All in all, not a bad day.
So on this first official day of summer, I am starting a little daily ritual. Each day, I will record the number of wardrobe changes I make and the number of showers I take. I also add the day's high temperature, just so you can see. Think of it as a research project. The more times I change clothes and shower, the hotter it will be right? We'll find out.
Clothing changes: 6
Showers: 1
Temperature: 97
It is hot. Not the kind of hot where you sit around in a bikini and sip lemonade by the pool, but the kind of hot where if you sit for more than a minute in an un-air conditioned car, a pool of sweat will form in your seat. It is thirty degrees cooler in my house than it is outside. No one where's pants, because it's uncomfortable to walk in between cool, air conditioned areas, in the heat with anything but shorts or skirts on. I think that if you could tolerate staying outside long enough, you really could fry an egg on the sidewalk.
Anyways, with all this heat, comes a lot of sweat and with all that sweat comes a lot of changing of clothes. Not to mention, that June just happens to be the month of events for me. There's at least one birthday or graduation party a day. Today, I went from shorts and a tank, to a t-shirt, to a dress, back to shorts and t-shirt, to another dress and finally back to pj's. That's six changes in one day! That may seem a little unreasonable and usually I would agree, but trust me, with the sweat and weather, my body and skin thank me for the change of clothes each time. Even if I weren't changing for different occasions, I would be getting rid of my sweaty clothes on a regular basis.
Anyways, despite the excessive amount of wardrobe changes and sweat, I did manage to get a lot done today. I got some things for my dorm, went to a party, bought a book and watched a movie with my friend.
All in all, not a bad day.
So on this first official day of summer, I am starting a little daily ritual. Each day, I will record the number of wardrobe changes I make and the number of showers I take. I also add the day's high temperature, just so you can see. Think of it as a research project. The more times I change clothes and shower, the hotter it will be right? We'll find out.
Clothing changes: 6
Showers: 1
Temperature: 97
Friday, June 11, 2010
A Little Wisdom
My favorite quote changes as frequently as my favorite song. Every time something happens or the mood changes, so do my favorite things. Favorite always fit the current situation. It just so happens that the current situation is that I'm sitting in my bedroom, the night before my high school graduation, looking at my graduation gown. That aren't many opportunities in life, where you can stare thoughtfully at an article of clothing, knowing that the next day, when you put it on, your life will change forever.
For me, this is one of those times when I really need a really good favorite quote. Lucky for me, there never seems to be a shortage of great quotes. Right now, the best is by J.M. Barrie, author of Peter Pan and basically my hero.
"Dreams do come true, if only we wish hard enough. You can have anything in life if you will sacrifice everything else for it."
Perhaps, you wonder, why, at this moment, this quote is my favorite. In order for me to explain that, I'd have to explain everything I'm thinking right now, which I just don't think is possible. In short though, when you know that you will soon be listening to speeches about your future and dreams you tend to think of your dreams and how impossible they seem.
Anyways, back to the quote. At first, when I read it, I thought it was absolutely the most inspiring thing ever. In a way, it is. I mean, ANYTHING I dream of, CAN come true. That's kind of brilliant, but that's not all that Mr. Barrie is saying.
Anything I dream, can come true, at a cost. In economics, this is called an opportunity cost. In taking one opportunity, you miss out on another. In other words, you can't have it all. What is the cost? Sure, there are some things where the cost wont be great. Perhaps, I dream of a custom pair of shoes. It might cost me a week's worth of working to pay for them. That's not that bad of a cost, unless there are other things that I absolutely need to buy and don't have other money to buy them.
What if the cost is greater though? Is your dream still worth it? If you have to give up every other thing you've ever wanted, do you still want that thing you've hoped and wished for to be yours? If the answer is "yes", then I guess that's a good thing. It means your dream can and will come true. If the answer is "no", then you'll have to think about sacrifice a little more.
I used to know a guy who was very concerned about grades. I've never been very concerned with grades, though I still make good grades. We argued politely about the importance of grades. I of course, argued that people shouldn't worry about grades so much. He, of course, argued that people should care more. We never came to a conclusion.
Now, I know the answer. There is no one thing in life that can bring you happiness. It's a collection of things and moments that make you happy. So, for example, being a perfect student and getting into a great college, isn't enough. You need friends and family that love you. You need memories of exciting things you did.
You can't be Peter Pan and be happy. Well, you can, but not permanently. Peter Pan sacrifices the chance to have a family, to be in love and to grow up, just to stay a boy forever in Neverland. Sure, he seems happy, because it's his dream, but there are things missing.
Maybe, the glamorous dream that we all dream- that dream that's always at the back of our mind- isn't worth all the things we'd have to give up for it. Maybe all the little dreams put together are worth more. They aren't worth giving up completely on your big dream- nothing is- but they are worth more than anyone can imagine.
For me, this is one of those times when I really need a really good favorite quote. Lucky for me, there never seems to be a shortage of great quotes. Right now, the best is by J.M. Barrie, author of Peter Pan and basically my hero.
"Dreams do come true, if only we wish hard enough. You can have anything in life if you will sacrifice everything else for it."
Perhaps, you wonder, why, at this moment, this quote is my favorite. In order for me to explain that, I'd have to explain everything I'm thinking right now, which I just don't think is possible. In short though, when you know that you will soon be listening to speeches about your future and dreams you tend to think of your dreams and how impossible they seem.
Anyways, back to the quote. At first, when I read it, I thought it was absolutely the most inspiring thing ever. In a way, it is. I mean, ANYTHING I dream of, CAN come true. That's kind of brilliant, but that's not all that Mr. Barrie is saying.
Anything I dream, can come true, at a cost. In economics, this is called an opportunity cost. In taking one opportunity, you miss out on another. In other words, you can't have it all. What is the cost? Sure, there are some things where the cost wont be great. Perhaps, I dream of a custom pair of shoes. It might cost me a week's worth of working to pay for them. That's not that bad of a cost, unless there are other things that I absolutely need to buy and don't have other money to buy them.
What if the cost is greater though? Is your dream still worth it? If you have to give up every other thing you've ever wanted, do you still want that thing you've hoped and wished for to be yours? If the answer is "yes", then I guess that's a good thing. It means your dream can and will come true. If the answer is "no", then you'll have to think about sacrifice a little more.
I used to know a guy who was very concerned about grades. I've never been very concerned with grades, though I still make good grades. We argued politely about the importance of grades. I of course, argued that people shouldn't worry about grades so much. He, of course, argued that people should care more. We never came to a conclusion.
Now, I know the answer. There is no one thing in life that can bring you happiness. It's a collection of things and moments that make you happy. So, for example, being a perfect student and getting into a great college, isn't enough. You need friends and family that love you. You need memories of exciting things you did.
You can't be Peter Pan and be happy. Well, you can, but not permanently. Peter Pan sacrifices the chance to have a family, to be in love and to grow up, just to stay a boy forever in Neverland. Sure, he seems happy, because it's his dream, but there are things missing.
Maybe, the glamorous dream that we all dream- that dream that's always at the back of our mind- isn't worth all the things we'd have to give up for it. Maybe all the little dreams put together are worth more. They aren't worth giving up completely on your big dream- nothing is- but they are worth more than anyone can imagine.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Beautiful Things
You know that oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico?
Of course you do. Anyone who hasn't been living under a rock for the past month does. I mean, if you turn on the news for five minutes, you will hear about it. It's there and it's huge and we're going to hear about it until there is nothing left to say.
But before I say another word about that, I want to say something about beauty. There are some things in the world that are unarguably beautiful. Okay, well, I guess you could argue, but only a fool would. I mean who would say that my friend, playing with her baby sister in their front yard in a swirl of bubbles, right before the sun is about to set, is not beautiful? It's beyond beautiful; it's magical. Very few people would say that the guy who works at the bookstore that I met the other day, is not beautiful. Someone with looks as good as his and a personality as friendly is certainly beautiful.
Basically, sometimes beauty is obvious. Sometimes it's a little harder to find. There have been and always will be people who will mistakenly believe that destruction is beautiful. Perhaps they see an innocent man beaten for no reason and think, “beauty”. Perhaps, they find it impossible to peel their beady black eyes away from a train wreck, or more a tangled mess of metal and smoke and dust and bodies. Maybe it’s as simple as seeing the wobbly shack of cardboard boxes and rotting wood that a family of eight calls their home and thinking it has a certain aesthetic appeal. I understand what these people see, but destruction, devastation, disaster- is not beautiful.
I think what these people see, is the survival and love and unity, because those are beautiful. There's hope and winning in those and despite all the horrible things surrounding them, it makes everything sort of magical.
Wherever there is a disaster, there are inspiring stories- So many stories that there's not enough time to hear them all. I guess it's some sort of coping method or something, but whatever it is, we love it, because it makes us feel good, even though terrible things are happening.
And when there's disaster, there's an immense amount of unity. The second something goes wrong everyone comes together. As the world has advanced we're even more connected and when something terrible happens on the other side of the world, people can share their pain and stories with us easily. We've become a world that suffers as one.
So, see, it's sort of beautiful, in a way. I mean, it's tragic, but magical. Still, I think there could be something better.
Wouldn't it be beautiful to see the world unite because of one amazing awesome thing. I mean, instead of suffering, coping, surviving together, wouldn't it be cool if we all celebrated something together?
I think that's why things like the Olympics or the World Cup are so amazing. They bring the world together for a little friendly competition. I'd like to see that more often I think. The world should celebrate together more and suffer together less.
Of course you do. Anyone who hasn't been living under a rock for the past month does. I mean, if you turn on the news for five minutes, you will hear about it. It's there and it's huge and we're going to hear about it until there is nothing left to say.
But before I say another word about that, I want to say something about beauty. There are some things in the world that are unarguably beautiful. Okay, well, I guess you could argue, but only a fool would. I mean who would say that my friend, playing with her baby sister in their front yard in a swirl of bubbles, right before the sun is about to set, is not beautiful? It's beyond beautiful; it's magical. Very few people would say that the guy who works at the bookstore that I met the other day, is not beautiful. Someone with looks as good as his and a personality as friendly is certainly beautiful.
Basically, sometimes beauty is obvious. Sometimes it's a little harder to find. There have been and always will be people who will mistakenly believe that destruction is beautiful. Perhaps they see an innocent man beaten for no reason and think, “beauty”. Perhaps, they find it impossible to peel their beady black eyes away from a train wreck, or more a tangled mess of metal and smoke and dust and bodies. Maybe it’s as simple as seeing the wobbly shack of cardboard boxes and rotting wood that a family of eight calls their home and thinking it has a certain aesthetic appeal. I understand what these people see, but destruction, devastation, disaster- is not beautiful.
I think what these people see, is the survival and love and unity, because those are beautiful. There's hope and winning in those and despite all the horrible things surrounding them, it makes everything sort of magical.
Wherever there is a disaster, there are inspiring stories- So many stories that there's not enough time to hear them all. I guess it's some sort of coping method or something, but whatever it is, we love it, because it makes us feel good, even though terrible things are happening.
And when there's disaster, there's an immense amount of unity. The second something goes wrong everyone comes together. As the world has advanced we're even more connected and when something terrible happens on the other side of the world, people can share their pain and stories with us easily. We've become a world that suffers as one.
So, see, it's sort of beautiful, in a way. I mean, it's tragic, but magical. Still, I think there could be something better.
Wouldn't it be beautiful to see the world unite because of one amazing awesome thing. I mean, instead of suffering, coping, surviving together, wouldn't it be cool if we all celebrated something together?
I think that's why things like the Olympics or the World Cup are so amazing. They bring the world together for a little friendly competition. I'd like to see that more often I think. The world should celebrate together more and suffer together less.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Quick Fix
When I was little and upset it seemed like cookies solved everything. I mean didn't they? Boo boo? Cookie. Someone say something mean? Cookie. Can't find your favorite doll? Cookie. So many cookies! They were great and did their job, until you grow up a little and learn that cookies can't solve everything. Not to mention, that somehow, surprisingly, your constant sweet tooth, seems to be not so constant, anymore. So you find the new solution.
No, no, no. You don't actually solve the problems. Feel guilty/ overwhelmed/ exhausted? Well, don't apologize or get some work done or go to sleep. Solve your problems the new way. My new way?
YouTube... with a side of cookies.
But first back to cookies. When I was little and upset, I couldn't have just any cookies. There were certain cookies specifically for bad days. A bad thing could not be fixed without those cookies. Today, I have specific videos that fix everything. They make me happy and wonderful and warm and fuzzy.
So, without further to do, these are my favorite videos. Well, okay, I'm going to skip the "Free Hugs" and a couple of others, but these are the few that really make me happy.
First of all we have 40 Inspirational Speeches in 2 Minutes.
I guess it's pretty popular and maybe a little cheesy, but hey, it's kind of a lot of what I like in one video. First of all, I'm obsessed with people doing awesome editing. The Golden Age of Video, Taking the Hobbits to Isengard, I've Got a Jar of Dirt Remix...AMAZING! This video has the added bonus of inspiration built right in. Though The Golden Age of Video and the others have a funny factor that cannot be beat.
Her Morning Elegance. Where to begin....? This is just one of those videos that is so cute and wonderful. I'm intrigued every time I watch, because it's just so good.
Usually I'm too distracted by the video to notice the song, but it's pretty good too. Two good things in one video? Sounds good to me.
This video probably changed my life. The Girl Effect is sort of mind boggling. It's such a simple solution to such a big problem.
But that's not the only reason I love this video. I think after I watched this video, I realized how big of an impact a video can have on someone. I realized how great a video or a short film or a movie could be. It is sort of amazing, isn't it?
Sunday. Because sometimes simplicity is just too perfect.
I mean really. This video makes me think of summer and lemonade and hammocks and rainy days and books and tea. Just perfect simplicity, because that's what it is. And when the world feels like a chaotic mess, perfect simplicity is all you really want.
T-Shirt War. This is funny and cute. (Why do I like so many cute things?) Anyways, it just is.
Also, it's really awesome.
Okay, Okay. So now, something that will completely blow your mind. Pomplamoose.
Their music is SO GOOD! And their videos are entertaining too, which they should be, but a lot of musicians on YouTube have such boring videos.
Speaking of good music videos....We have to discuss She & Him. Like Pomplamoose, their music is amazing.
This video is cheery and bright. It makes me want to put on a sundress, go to a carnival and eat some cotton candy. That sure sounds like the perfect cure for a bad day to me. And it is. It really is.
Okay, I'm a Buffy fan, so I like lots of videos that have anything to do with Buffy. This one really makes me laugh though. It's the perfect combination of good editing and a loyal fandom.
Buffy kicks ass. Nuff said.
This next video is kind of totally ridiculous, but it seriously makes me smile every time I watch it even if I'm having a horrible day.
And Sassy Gay Friend saves the day once again by bringing a smile to your face. Isn't that nice?
Okay, there are like a billion more YouTube videos that I love. Some I just don't have the time or patience to think about and some just don't stand on their own. I kind of like those the best. The ones where you have to know so much more to understand what it is. But on a day where you want to watch any old video it's nice to have one that makes sense in it's entirety. It's like reading a kid's book instead of a novel. The kid's book isn't inferior, but it's a whole comfy story that you can have in a short amount of time. It's a quick fix. And some days we need a quick fix.
No, no, no. You don't actually solve the problems. Feel guilty/ overwhelmed/ exhausted? Well, don't apologize or get some work done or go to sleep. Solve your problems the new way. My new way?
YouTube... with a side of cookies.
But first back to cookies. When I was little and upset, I couldn't have just any cookies. There were certain cookies specifically for bad days. A bad thing could not be fixed without those cookies. Today, I have specific videos that fix everything. They make me happy and wonderful and warm and fuzzy.
So, without further to do, these are my favorite videos. Well, okay, I'm going to skip the "Free Hugs" and a couple of others, but these are the few that really make me happy.
First of all we have 40 Inspirational Speeches in 2 Minutes.
I guess it's pretty popular and maybe a little cheesy, but hey, it's kind of a lot of what I like in one video. First of all, I'm obsessed with people doing awesome editing. The Golden Age of Video, Taking the Hobbits to Isengard, I've Got a Jar of Dirt Remix...AMAZING! This video has the added bonus of inspiration built right in. Though The Golden Age of Video and the others have a funny factor that cannot be beat.
Her Morning Elegance. Where to begin....? This is just one of those videos that is so cute and wonderful. I'm intrigued every time I watch, because it's just so good.
Usually I'm too distracted by the video to notice the song, but it's pretty good too. Two good things in one video? Sounds good to me.
This video probably changed my life. The Girl Effect is sort of mind boggling. It's such a simple solution to such a big problem.
But that's not the only reason I love this video. I think after I watched this video, I realized how big of an impact a video can have on someone. I realized how great a video or a short film or a movie could be. It is sort of amazing, isn't it?
Sunday. Because sometimes simplicity is just too perfect.
I mean really. This video makes me think of summer and lemonade and hammocks and rainy days and books and tea. Just perfect simplicity, because that's what it is. And when the world feels like a chaotic mess, perfect simplicity is all you really want.
T-Shirt War. This is funny and cute. (Why do I like so many cute things?) Anyways, it just is.
Also, it's really awesome.
Okay, Okay. So now, something that will completely blow your mind. Pomplamoose.
Their music is SO GOOD! And their videos are entertaining too, which they should be, but a lot of musicians on YouTube have such boring videos.
Speaking of good music videos....We have to discuss She & Him. Like Pomplamoose, their music is amazing.
This video is cheery and bright. It makes me want to put on a sundress, go to a carnival and eat some cotton candy. That sure sounds like the perfect cure for a bad day to me. And it is. It really is.
Okay, I'm a Buffy fan, so I like lots of videos that have anything to do with Buffy. This one really makes me laugh though. It's the perfect combination of good editing and a loyal fandom.
Buffy kicks ass. Nuff said.
This next video is kind of totally ridiculous, but it seriously makes me smile every time I watch it even if I'm having a horrible day.
And Sassy Gay Friend saves the day once again by bringing a smile to your face. Isn't that nice?
Okay, there are like a billion more YouTube videos that I love. Some I just don't have the time or patience to think about and some just don't stand on their own. I kind of like those the best. The ones where you have to know so much more to understand what it is. But on a day where you want to watch any old video it's nice to have one that makes sense in it's entirety. It's like reading a kid's book instead of a novel. The kid's book isn't inferior, but it's a whole comfy story that you can have in a short amount of time. It's a quick fix. And some days we need a quick fix.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
The Evolution of Hygiene and Manners
I love controversial arguments. Hearing people's fiery opinions frustrates the hell out of me. I mean that in the best way possible. It makes me listen and think. Not just about what they happen to be saying, but about everything.
In short there are two things I believe to be extraordinarily inspiring- showers and controversial arguments.
It's convenient that both of these things are incredibly easy to come by. The shower is right down the hall and society expects me to use it at least once a day which, on average, I do. Controversy is not hard to find either. Just say "Gay marriage" and you'll have a whole list of opinions thrown at you. Evolution is another good one. Abortion can work too, but I think people are a little more touchy about that.
I should mention now, that I never attempt to be insensitive towards anyone's opinion. In fact, I tend to think of myself as one of those people who understands both sides of the argument pretty well. I'm the point in the center that watches as the two sides collide. And when they do it's not pretty.
Want an example? Alright, for the purpose of this example, we'll assume that our two sides are arguing about evolution. Of the three controversial topics listed above, evolution is the one I can relate to most, since I am straight and am not and never have been pregnant. I mean, I know gay people and people who've been pregnant, but evolution is more of an "everyone can relate" topic.
Anyways, in the evolution debate the two sides are the creationists and the evolutionists. Creationists believe, basically whatever their religion tells them. Something along the lines of an almighty being created man and all the animals and plants individually. Evolutionists believe that people evolved over the years from some sort of animal that adapted and mutated.
What happens when these two sides meet is complete nonsense. The evolutionist tells the creationist a whole list of facts, that the creationist refuses to believe because their religion says otherwise. The evolutionists refuse to believe the religion because the creationists have no evidence that anything in their holy book is real. Basically they take off on their own little monologues calling each other ridiculous, infuriating everyone around them, and ultimately making absolutely no change in the other's mind.
To me it's evident that the problem is not that they are uneducated. It's that their education is unbalanced.
Go on, evolutionists! Find out every piece of evidence that proves that evolution is without a doubt real, but unless you know just as much about the creationist's beliefs they are never going to listen.
Same to you, creationists! Memorize every holy line in your holy book, but a person who believes only facts isn't even going to give you a second glance.
This is the problem with the world. People hole themselves up in their own little worlds and expect people to venture in and be just like them. They never venture out to learn about the rest of the world and if they do they don't like what they see and just go back to their old ways. There's no balance, just a drastically changing environment with every step you take, because with each step is another person's hard as stone thoughts. Those are the most dangerous too. The things that wont change are the ones you need to stay away from, because if and when they do change, they shatter and crumble. It's the people who aren't as stubborn who are a little safer. Their minds bend and transform. They are ever changing.
Don't science and religion both tell us that, that is what life is. You start off as a teeny baby and then grow old. If you don't do that, then you aren't living. Finally something that everyone can agree on. You change, both physically and mentally as you live. So, if your mind is set in stone, then how are you growing? How are you changing? Or are you dead?
I don't see why creationists and evolutionists don't get along. To me, it seems like they're both trying to answer a question their way when they both have they answer. It's like, trying to explain everything that happens when I throw a ball at the wall. I threw it, it flew through the air, it bounced off the wall, it fell to the ground.
Science will tell me about the muscles I used, the forces and energy, the speed and time. It will tell me why the ball fell to the ground and how fast the ball went and how strong a person would have to be to throw with that amount of force. Science might even get into the psychology behind why I threw it.
But religion explains why I felt that way. Religion explains why I'm here and why I'm living and what the purpose of this world is. Religion explains why people get angry and why people need to be good and not hurt each other. Religion explains those questions that scientists cannot or are too afraid to try.
We're all just looking for answers, right? If we don't agree is that anything to argue about? Probably not, but go ahead argue. I mean really please. Without the close minded remarks and bullshit arguments I would never get anything done.
In short there are two things I believe to be extraordinarily inspiring- showers and controversial arguments.
It's convenient that both of these things are incredibly easy to come by. The shower is right down the hall and society expects me to use it at least once a day which, on average, I do. Controversy is not hard to find either. Just say "Gay marriage" and you'll have a whole list of opinions thrown at you. Evolution is another good one. Abortion can work too, but I think people are a little more touchy about that.
I should mention now, that I never attempt to be insensitive towards anyone's opinion. In fact, I tend to think of myself as one of those people who understands both sides of the argument pretty well. I'm the point in the center that watches as the two sides collide. And when they do it's not pretty.
Want an example? Alright, for the purpose of this example, we'll assume that our two sides are arguing about evolution. Of the three controversial topics listed above, evolution is the one I can relate to most, since I am straight and am not and never have been pregnant. I mean, I know gay people and people who've been pregnant, but evolution is more of an "everyone can relate" topic.
Anyways, in the evolution debate the two sides are the creationists and the evolutionists. Creationists believe, basically whatever their religion tells them. Something along the lines of an almighty being created man and all the animals and plants individually. Evolutionists believe that people evolved over the years from some sort of animal that adapted and mutated.
What happens when these two sides meet is complete nonsense. The evolutionist tells the creationist a whole list of facts, that the creationist refuses to believe because their religion says otherwise. The evolutionists refuse to believe the religion because the creationists have no evidence that anything in their holy book is real. Basically they take off on their own little monologues calling each other ridiculous, infuriating everyone around them, and ultimately making absolutely no change in the other's mind.
To me it's evident that the problem is not that they are uneducated. It's that their education is unbalanced.
Go on, evolutionists! Find out every piece of evidence that proves that evolution is without a doubt real, but unless you know just as much about the creationist's beliefs they are never going to listen.
Same to you, creationists! Memorize every holy line in your holy book, but a person who believes only facts isn't even going to give you a second glance.
This is the problem with the world. People hole themselves up in their own little worlds and expect people to venture in and be just like them. They never venture out to learn about the rest of the world and if they do they don't like what they see and just go back to their old ways. There's no balance, just a drastically changing environment with every step you take, because with each step is another person's hard as stone thoughts. Those are the most dangerous too. The things that wont change are the ones you need to stay away from, because if and when they do change, they shatter and crumble. It's the people who aren't as stubborn who are a little safer. Their minds bend and transform. They are ever changing.
Don't science and religion both tell us that, that is what life is. You start off as a teeny baby and then grow old. If you don't do that, then you aren't living. Finally something that everyone can agree on. You change, both physically and mentally as you live. So, if your mind is set in stone, then how are you growing? How are you changing? Or are you dead?
I don't see why creationists and evolutionists don't get along. To me, it seems like they're both trying to answer a question their way when they both have they answer. It's like, trying to explain everything that happens when I throw a ball at the wall. I threw it, it flew through the air, it bounced off the wall, it fell to the ground.
Science will tell me about the muscles I used, the forces and energy, the speed and time. It will tell me why the ball fell to the ground and how fast the ball went and how strong a person would have to be to throw with that amount of force. Science might even get into the psychology behind why I threw it.
But religion explains why I felt that way. Religion explains why I'm here and why I'm living and what the purpose of this world is. Religion explains why people get angry and why people need to be good and not hurt each other. Religion explains those questions that scientists cannot or are too afraid to try.
We're all just looking for answers, right? If we don't agree is that anything to argue about? Probably not, but go ahead argue. I mean really please. Without the close minded remarks and bullshit arguments I would never get anything done.