1. Honesty no longer helps pay the bills in America
2. It is too expensive to have a moral code
3. Clinton didn't inhale, but Barack openly expirimented with drugs (the democrat's approach has changed dramatically)
4. McCain walked uphill to school-both ways
5. A woman president is one thing. The possibility of a PTA mom is another.
6. Republicans have f'ed up our economy, there's no harm left in letting the democrats give it shot
7. I am a poor college student, looking for change (silver preferably)
8. US foriegn policy might improve with someone who has actually lived on the other side of the world
9. Experience has gotten this country no where. The president with the least experience made this country, lets get back to square one.
10. I want a president who is a little more like me. Wanting a change for the good of America, not just the good of my good ol' boys.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
A couple more poems
This first poem was written in my Creative Writing class right after one of my teammates was killed by a drunk driver and is about her. She was fifteen years old at the time. In order for this to make sense you should probably know that her favorite color was purple and she absolutely loved yellow ducks.
African Violets
A small garden of purple
A small tree with a bird
A small flower stands tall
Unlike any other
Jumps out of the crowd
Of the garden of purple
The lines etching the veins
The droplets trickle from the eye
The yellow bird
Bright, startling, joyful
Stands out to the crowd
In this garden of purple
The garden is frosted
The purple fades
Seems only a memory remains
Of the garden of purple
But the bird lives on
The yellow was a blur
The life continues
Somewhere
In another garden of purple
The following poem was written in the same Creative Writing class. It is just a random poem that I wrote mostly to fill up space. Nonetheless, it seems to get a chuckle out of most people who read it.
Life of a Styrofoam cup
Woken up in the morning by suffocating plastic
It’s a great thing to have no lungs
A great life to have a small purpose
My friend went to a party
I bet that was a blast
I didn’t hear from her again
But particles of her will forever live on
Another went to a funeral
I bet he was filled with Sunny D.
Someone died and they still fill him with
Cheap orange juice
My bag has just been bought
On no! there’s a little kid
They gave up on the sippy cups
My last moments being digested
By a two year old future eating contest winner
And he’s starting with the Styrofoam cup
African Violets
A small garden of purple
A small tree with a bird
A small flower stands tall
Unlike any other
Jumps out of the crowd
Of the garden of purple
The lines etching the veins
The droplets trickle from the eye
The yellow bird
Bright, startling, joyful
Stands out to the crowd
In this garden of purple
The garden is frosted
The purple fades
Seems only a memory remains
Of the garden of purple
But the bird lives on
The yellow was a blur
The life continues
Somewhere
In another garden of purple
The following poem was written in the same Creative Writing class. It is just a random poem that I wrote mostly to fill up space. Nonetheless, it seems to get a chuckle out of most people who read it.
Life of a Styrofoam cup
Woken up in the morning by suffocating plastic
It’s a great thing to have no lungs
A great life to have a small purpose
My friend went to a party
I bet that was a blast
I didn’t hear from her again
But particles of her will forever live on
Another went to a funeral
I bet he was filled with Sunny D.
Someone died and they still fill him with
Cheap orange juice
My bag has just been bought
On no! there’s a little kid
They gave up on the sippy cups
My last moments being digested
By a two year old future eating contest winner
And he’s starting with the Styrofoam cup
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Partners in Crime
As school is sneaking up on me, I am finding little humor in life these days; however, today there was a small instance that was very humorous to me. And hopefully to you too.
My kitten, although cute, adorable, lovable, and playful, has a certain quality about him that causes him to freak out, run around wildly, attack anything that comes anywhere near him, and chew on my plants. (I think this is called being a kitten, but whatever) When he goes into this mode, I have a squirt bottle that is pointed and shot at him when he is biting my hair, my plants, my books, whatever his current victim is, to distract him and get him to stop whatever he is doing.
I recently received a bonsai tree for my birthday and the baby kitten loves to chew on this so he has gotten squirted plenty of times for his strange pallet and now has stopped eating the leaves.
I was worried today, though, when he came up on the table as I was using the squirt bottle to mist the leaves of my bonsai, and headed straight for it. It occurred to me, as he rubbed up against the bottom of the pot the bonsai sits in, then looked at me with wide eyes, he looked like he was consoling the tree and wondering what it had done to deserve the squirt bottle.
My kitten, although cute, adorable, lovable, and playful, has a certain quality about him that causes him to freak out, run around wildly, attack anything that comes anywhere near him, and chew on my plants. (I think this is called being a kitten, but whatever) When he goes into this mode, I have a squirt bottle that is pointed and shot at him when he is biting my hair, my plants, my books, whatever his current victim is, to distract him and get him to stop whatever he is doing.
I recently received a bonsai tree for my birthday and the baby kitten loves to chew on this so he has gotten squirted plenty of times for his strange pallet and now has stopped eating the leaves.
I was worried today, though, when he came up on the table as I was using the squirt bottle to mist the leaves of my bonsai, and headed straight for it. It occurred to me, as he rubbed up against the bottom of the pot the bonsai sits in, then looked at me with wide eyes, he looked like he was consoling the tree and wondering what it had done to deserve the squirt bottle.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Bright eyed and bushy tailed or Red Eyed and Tail Dragging?
I have been working on my schedule day by day for the last two weeks and finally have the work schedules, my work schedule, and my class schedule all straightened out. Sounds good right? Not so much. It appears that to get in the number of hours I need, I am going to have to get up at seven thirty two days a week and Monday and Wednesday I have class until four. It sounded like a good idea when I signed up for classes that didn't start until nine but it really screwed up my work schedule. After a summer of staying up late and sleeping in late.......we will see how this all goes....
Words of encouragement please?
Words of encouragement please?
Monday, August 18, 2008
It's a great state fair?
I have been wanting to go to the State Fair since it started a couple weeks ago. I have been seeing news casts of the sweet things at the fair. I could cast my kernel for president (two tubs full of corn for either McCain or Obama), watch stupid human tricks, see well trained dogs, watch the Olympics on a big screen, eat fattening fair food, see the biggest hog (over 1200 pounds) and the biggest bull (over 1500 pounds), in addition to lots of horses, an elk, a cow made of butter, and all kinds of random things you can only see at the fair.
After pumping myself up for the fair, I got there, spent money on parking and entrance fees, bought outrageously priced food and drink, could not find the place to cast my kernel, only got a picture of the biggest bull and elk, not of the biggest hog because some little brat would not move, did not find the Olympic Pavilion, the trained dogs were not on until the time I had to leave to be back in time for work, and stupid human tricks was way too late to stay.
I determined that I paid money to enter the fair to spend more money. Truly ridiculous and disappointingly.
I was, however, very grateful for the day in general. My long-time boyfriend and I both went to the fair together and got to spend all the time together mostly making fun of the scary way people dressed, (What Not to Wear, the TLC show, should just set up shop at this fair, they would find material for at least 50,000 shows. I am not exaggerating) , but also looking at the fantastic hot tubs, bikes, home improvement items, petting the goats, sheep, and a baby miniature donkey that was about the cutest thing that exists, and just generally enjoying each other's company.
That night we spent time with some old friends and had a much better time than our usual Saturday nights.
In Other News: I changed vets for my baby kitty, Theodore. I was going to a vet where I live most of the time but did not really like him from the first time I brought my kitten there. He grabbed his scruff and did not really pay attention to the cat, more so to me. I bring my animals to the vet to have them taken care of, not me. So, last week, I took Theodore in for a couple of shots. I asked the vet about how long until I should have him fixed. The vet started feeling around and, obviously, Theodore was not enjoying it, so instead of pulling Theodore back toward him humanely, the vet grabbed his back legs and hung him upside-down. I immediately was appalled at how he was handling my baby. (I also thought of when I was a kid and was dangled over a swimming pool by my back legs by a swimming instructor...quite scary for me and I did not want kitten to be scarred as well!) You do NOT dangle my cat. That is NOT okay. He also did not tell me any of the possible side-effects of the shots or to worry about anything. Needless to say I switched vets. This one is a lot more expensive, but actually cares about the well-being of the patient, more-so than appeasing the owner.
After pumping myself up for the fair, I got there, spent money on parking and entrance fees, bought outrageously priced food and drink, could not find the place to cast my kernel, only got a picture of the biggest bull and elk, not of the biggest hog because some little brat would not move, did not find the Olympic Pavilion, the trained dogs were not on until the time I had to leave to be back in time for work, and stupid human tricks was way too late to stay.
I determined that I paid money to enter the fair to spend more money. Truly ridiculous and disappointingly.
I was, however, very grateful for the day in general. My long-time boyfriend and I both went to the fair together and got to spend all the time together mostly making fun of the scary way people dressed, (What Not to Wear, the TLC show, should just set up shop at this fair, they would find material for at least 50,000 shows. I am not exaggerating) , but also looking at the fantastic hot tubs, bikes, home improvement items, petting the goats, sheep, and a baby miniature donkey that was about the cutest thing that exists, and just generally enjoying each other's company.
That night we spent time with some old friends and had a much better time than our usual Saturday nights.
In Other News: I changed vets for my baby kitty, Theodore. I was going to a vet where I live most of the time but did not really like him from the first time I brought my kitten there. He grabbed his scruff and did not really pay attention to the cat, more so to me. I bring my animals to the vet to have them taken care of, not me. So, last week, I took Theodore in for a couple of shots. I asked the vet about how long until I should have him fixed. The vet started feeling around and, obviously, Theodore was not enjoying it, so instead of pulling Theodore back toward him humanely, the vet grabbed his back legs and hung him upside-down. I immediately was appalled at how he was handling my baby. (I also thought of when I was a kid and was dangled over a swimming pool by my back legs by a swimming instructor...quite scary for me and I did not want kitten to be scarred as well!) You do NOT dangle my cat. That is NOT okay. He also did not tell me any of the possible side-effects of the shots or to worry about anything. Needless to say I switched vets. This one is a lot more expensive, but actually cares about the well-being of the patient, more-so than appeasing the owner.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Poodle Conditioner
A couple of weeks ago, I decided to dye my hair to its natural, un-sun-bleached color; a lovely dark brown that I wish my hair would stay throughout the year instead of just in the dead of winter. Anyway, as anyone who dyes their hair would know, it tends to dry out the strands a smidge. With my hair, it makes it impossible to comb without mass quantities of conditioner. (Also, I recently changed conditioners to one that I shouldn't have switched to because it does a VERY poor job of making my hair silky smooth so it really does not help much.) At home, I can get a wonderful VO5 hot oil treatment for about two dollars. Here in the campus town they apparently do not carry VO5 products and I was stuck with knotty hair. The other day at Walmart, I decided I HAD to find SOMETHING to make my hair stop snarling so horribly. So as I was looking, I found a section full of deep conditioners and hair strengthening what-nots. I also noticed that all the advertising pictures were of African Americans/Blacks/Politically Correct term for dark skinned people. I reasoned that if it works for them, it will surely work for me. So I selected a one time, deep conditioner with olive oil to be applied with heat and a cap. Only $1.79.
Last night I performed all the instructions step by step to make my hair the silky, smooth , fantabulous mane it once was, ending with the rinse. I went to bed with my hair still wet, natural curl bouncing.
This morning when I woke up, hair dry, and I could tell something was different. "Is it healthy, happy, hair?" I thought as wabbled to the bathroom at 6:30 this morning. Well, when I got in front of the mirror, I realized that the natural bouncing curl I saw last night had multiplied by, oh, about a hundred. My hair had VOLUME! Thank goodness for hair straighteners. My hair is now healthy, happy, and volume is No Longer an Issue.
I recommend this conditioner to anyone who doesn't have to get up early in the morning so that you are not unnaturally scared of looking at the mirror. I also recommend it for anyone with a poodle that needs a little lift.
Last night I performed all the instructions step by step to make my hair the silky, smooth , fantabulous mane it once was, ending with the rinse. I went to bed with my hair still wet, natural curl bouncing.
This morning when I woke up, hair dry, and I could tell something was different. "Is it healthy, happy, hair?" I thought as wabbled to the bathroom at 6:30 this morning. Well, when I got in front of the mirror, I realized that the natural bouncing curl I saw last night had multiplied by, oh, about a hundred. My hair had VOLUME! Thank goodness for hair straighteners. My hair is now healthy, happy, and volume is No Longer an Issue.
I recommend this conditioner to anyone who doesn't have to get up early in the morning so that you are not unnaturally scared of looking at the mirror. I also recommend it for anyone with a poodle that needs a little lift.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Monotony
As students are coming back onto campus, I have to change all the access cards individually. In doing this I have to change each students' access to each individual building. This means each student access card change takes about two minutes. I have about 400 of these things to do.
Today, I expressed my desire for a single button that would change a student's access with one click rather than about forty, to the security officer. Other security officers have expressed my same general feeling about our stupid, time consuming, system. This officer, however, looked at me like I was crazy for wanting to make this process faster and simpler.
My thoughts?
It's idiots like you who design piece of crap systems like this.
Today, I expressed my desire for a single button that would change a student's access with one click rather than about forty, to the security officer. Other security officers have expressed my same general feeling about our stupid, time consuming, system. This officer, however, looked at me like I was crazy for wanting to make this process faster and simpler.
My thoughts?
It's idiots like you who design piece of crap systems like this.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Olympic Pride
I have grown up watching the Olympics. I would get to stay up past my bedtime when I was little to watch women's gymnastics. I dreamed that one day I would be there, at the Olympics, right next to the amazing people I saw on TV. Unfortunately a series of strange events, beginning with my only very good gymnastics teachers being arrested for having a meth lab in her house, and ending with multiple hyper extensions of my knees, prevented me from fulfilling this "young girl's" dream.
Now that I am older and have accepted my fate not to become an Olympic gymnast (though I always still watch women's & men's gymnastics) I have changed my sights from the actual sport to what makes the sport important enough to these Olympians to want to pursue it as badly as they do. Mostly, this points me in the direction of family. This year in particular, I have noticed how much the media is covering the Olympic Athletes' background and family. Perhaps it is my change of focus that has made me realize this or maybe the media really is focusing on it more. Either way it amazes me the love and pride that emanates from these families. Michael Phelps' mom just about brought tears to my eyes when she was cheering for her son as he broke the world record. From the look in her eyes, it was obvious she did not care about the medal or whether or not the USA flag would be at the top. She was thinking purely about how important her son and his happiness was to her.
Of course this is just one example of the hundreds of athletes competing. It is absolutely amazing to me the faith these families have in each other. The pride for their sons/daughters/brothers/sisters/aunts/uncles/parents is overwhelming. I realize that I am babbling at this point about the same thing I started with but I can't help it.
It is the background, the upbringing, the family support of each and every one of these athletes that has brought them where they are today. I commend the athletes and I honor their families for sacrificing time, money, and uncountable moments with their family athletes to allow them to be where they are today.
Now that I am older and have accepted my fate not to become an Olympic gymnast (though I always still watch women's & men's gymnastics) I have changed my sights from the actual sport to what makes the sport important enough to these Olympians to want to pursue it as badly as they do. Mostly, this points me in the direction of family. This year in particular, I have noticed how much the media is covering the Olympic Athletes' background and family. Perhaps it is my change of focus that has made me realize this or maybe the media really is focusing on it more. Either way it amazes me the love and pride that emanates from these families. Michael Phelps' mom just about brought tears to my eyes when she was cheering for her son as he broke the world record. From the look in her eyes, it was obvious she did not care about the medal or whether or not the USA flag would be at the top. She was thinking purely about how important her son and his happiness was to her.
Of course this is just one example of the hundreds of athletes competing. It is absolutely amazing to me the faith these families have in each other. The pride for their sons/daughters/brothers/sisters/aunts/uncles/parents is overwhelming. I realize that I am babbling at this point about the same thing I started with but I can't help it.
It is the background, the upbringing, the family support of each and every one of these athletes that has brought them where they are today. I commend the athletes and I honor their families for sacrificing time, money, and uncountable moments with their family athletes to allow them to be where they are today.
Monday, August 11, 2008
The Odds
Wouldn't you know that when I WANT to do my scrapbooking, I don't have my pictures but now that I am tired, cranky, and don't want to do ANYTHING...they are here. I am sure I will do it later, but still, kind of rediculous.
Also, two new workers at my job in my hometown. One is pretty cool, the other is horribly annoying, creepy, and reminds me of an online preditor. How long will he last? Nobody knows....
I am at work in my college town right now and I really have nothing to do. Is it a bad sign when I feel interrupted by anyone calling or coming in? I think it's time to go home and take a nap...if I could only convince my boss that was the right thing to do...
Also, two new workers at my job in my hometown. One is pretty cool, the other is horribly annoying, creepy, and reminds me of an online preditor. How long will he last? Nobody knows....
I am at work in my college town right now and I really have nothing to do. Is it a bad sign when I feel interrupted by anyone calling or coming in? I think it's time to go home and take a nap...if I could only convince my boss that was the right thing to do...
Sunday, August 10, 2008
A couple random Poems
For those of you that don't know, I tend to write a lot of poetry. On occasion I will post some of it. Some of it is decent, some of it is written very poorly but I will probably still post it anyway.
Below is a song type poem I wrote and a sort of funny one below that. Hope you enjoy!
Blinded
If we can’t picture the beach
Through a single grain of sand
If we can’t sense the freedom by a single flying bird
If we can’t feel love by a simple tender tough
Than we are blinded by a fantasy set into our minds
By the blinded ones before us
If we can’t visualize the ocean
Through a small rolling wave
If we can’t discover a forest
Through a lonely little tree
If we can’t trust honesty
Through simple spoken words
Than we are blinded by a fantasy set into our minds
By the blinded ones before us
If we can’t see the sky
By just looking at a cloud
If we can’t hope for tomorrow
By making today worthwhile
If we can’t believe in life
After seeing a newborn baby
Than we are blinded by a fantasy set into our minds
By the blinded ones before us
Player
Player you’re called
I’d say they were right
They say you cheat
I‘d say you fight
Passing around
That’s just what you do
Stick to a shot?
That’s just not you
Now lets be fair
Player though you’re starred
That’s what you get
When you’re the point guard
Below is a song type poem I wrote and a sort of funny one below that. Hope you enjoy!
Blinded
If we can’t picture the beach
Through a single grain of sand
If we can’t sense the freedom by a single flying bird
If we can’t feel love by a simple tender tough
Than we are blinded by a fantasy set into our minds
By the blinded ones before us
If we can’t visualize the ocean
Through a small rolling wave
If we can’t discover a forest
Through a lonely little tree
If we can’t trust honesty
Through simple spoken words
Than we are blinded by a fantasy set into our minds
By the blinded ones before us
If we can’t see the sky
By just looking at a cloud
If we can’t hope for tomorrow
By making today worthwhile
If we can’t believe in life
After seeing a newborn baby
Than we are blinded by a fantasy set into our minds
By the blinded ones before us
Player
Player you’re called
I’d say they were right
They say you cheat
I‘d say you fight
Passing around
That’s just what you do
Stick to a shot?
That’s just not you
Now lets be fair
Player though you’re starred
That’s what you get
When you’re the point guard
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Letter to the Biased Editor
A few months ago we had some hate crimes at my college. Although it was a horrible problem, it brought out some of the best peer and community support I have ever seen. In fact it inspired me to write a letter to the editor of my hometown paper. The letter follows (edited to exclude personal information) but the surprise and issues with this are after that...
I am a graduate of This Community's High School and a first year student at A Small Private College. In high school, I always struggled between balancing great ideas and how to pursue them to enact change. I thought that in a small community that is deeply rooted in its beliefs, action was hard to take and change was hard to implement. Issues that arise in the community often seem covered up and glossed over even though it is not the right thing to do. The town my college is in is also a small community that has many things in common with this, my hometown. The difference, I have learned, lies in the response to hurtful and harmful actions and speech. Recently on campus there was a hate crime directed towards a girl because of her sexual orientation. In a small town, it may seem it would be okay to say that this sort of thing rarely happens and to just let it go. However, at this school, in this community, it is not okay. The whole community, college and residents alike, took action against this awful crime. Fear and hate are not tolerated. A racial slur, harassment because of sexual orientation, and general fear of “the other” is reason for action. We held a rally showing support for the queer community. There are many more events and long term plans being acted upon. This is a place of action. This is where people are people and support each other no matter what their sexual orientation or race. When people challenge our community, we fight back. When someone commits such a heinous crime, we stand together to make sure it does not happen again. It was amazing to see college students joining with faculty, staff, and community residents fighting for something they believe in. It was inspiring to know that, as an ally, I can use my voice to make a difference for my friends. I have found a place that is accepting of everyone, and when someone challenges this acceptance, we make it clear that we stand together. This made me think, why is it that this is a new experience for me? The same offenses happen in Hometown everyday. In high school people made cruel remarks and no one did anything. Around town people get jumpy when you bring up something “taboo.” Gang related ideas have posed threats to the community. Why has no one taken action against this? Why do the residents tolerate this? The police can only do so much to stop these things; it is up to the people to send a message to the perpetrators that hurtful and harmful acts will not be tolerated. I am not saying that a rally needs to occur; I am just asking that the next time someone says something you think is wrong or offensive, that you challenge their idea. Many people do not realize that when they say, “that’s gay” that it is offensive to a group of people. Challenge the ideas that people put in front of you. Challenge your own ideas. Do not just sit passively and hope that someone else will take care of it. Having a community means more than just living in the same place. It means everyone stand together for the right and just things. Having a safe community means protecting everyone’s safety. Living in a small town means you have the perfect place to enact change.
Now imagine my chagrin when I saw this printed in the Hometown paper with the (self-identified) Queer Community repaced with the Gay Community. First off I would like to say that NOT everyone in the queer community is gay. Second, the paper did exactly what my letter is asking people not to do. They replaced a word that really only means different or unconventional with one that applies to a small population of people in the real group. And they OBVIOUSLY did it without challenging themselves as to WHY they were replacing the unoffensive word with one that excludes a large amount of the people I was talking about in my letter.
When I saw people who commented me on this letter, I first explained the paper's error, then they gave me their view on the letter.
Most people thought I was "a very strong writer with a lot of good ideas" but that I would "only be let down when people didn't live up to my expectations"
Here's the thing. I do not expect anything from people. I hope that people take what I write and really encorporate it into their lives. Whether they think I am a genious or insane, I don't really care as long as they THINK about what I am writing and have some reaction to it relating it to themselves. Judging me was not the point of this post, I don't care if you think I am a silly idealist. I don't care if you think I will change the world. I only hope that it will affect you. Good or bad, whatever opinion you have about the ISSUE, share THAT, not what you think about my well-being. Lets get real here people, my life just isn't that interesting and I am never going to do anything to revolutionize the world. Every INDIVIDUAL person needs to revolutionize their own thinking, their own lives for any difference to be made. I only want to inspire people to make this change in themselves.
Perhaps I should have made this clear before I blindsided a small town with such "idealistic" suggestions.
I appreciate the people (that I can count without even using my toes) that understood the point of this letter and told me how much it really made them rethink their own ideas whether it be how they felt about the QUEER community or even how they felt about women in society.
Thank you college graduates. Thank you.
I am a graduate of This Community's High School and a first year student at A Small Private College. In high school, I always struggled between balancing great ideas and how to pursue them to enact change. I thought that in a small community that is deeply rooted in its beliefs, action was hard to take and change was hard to implement. Issues that arise in the community often seem covered up and glossed over even though it is not the right thing to do. The town my college is in is also a small community that has many things in common with this, my hometown. The difference, I have learned, lies in the response to hurtful and harmful actions and speech. Recently on campus there was a hate crime directed towards a girl because of her sexual orientation. In a small town, it may seem it would be okay to say that this sort of thing rarely happens and to just let it go. However, at this school, in this community, it is not okay. The whole community, college and residents alike, took action against this awful crime. Fear and hate are not tolerated. A racial slur, harassment because of sexual orientation, and general fear of “the other” is reason for action. We held a rally showing support for the queer community. There are many more events and long term plans being acted upon. This is a place of action. This is where people are people and support each other no matter what their sexual orientation or race. When people challenge our community, we fight back. When someone commits such a heinous crime, we stand together to make sure it does not happen again. It was amazing to see college students joining with faculty, staff, and community residents fighting for something they believe in. It was inspiring to know that, as an ally, I can use my voice to make a difference for my friends. I have found a place that is accepting of everyone, and when someone challenges this acceptance, we make it clear that we stand together. This made me think, why is it that this is a new experience for me? The same offenses happen in Hometown everyday. In high school people made cruel remarks and no one did anything. Around town people get jumpy when you bring up something “taboo.” Gang related ideas have posed threats to the community. Why has no one taken action against this? Why do the residents tolerate this? The police can only do so much to stop these things; it is up to the people to send a message to the perpetrators that hurtful and harmful acts will not be tolerated. I am not saying that a rally needs to occur; I am just asking that the next time someone says something you think is wrong or offensive, that you challenge their idea. Many people do not realize that when they say, “that’s gay” that it is offensive to a group of people. Challenge the ideas that people put in front of you. Challenge your own ideas. Do not just sit passively and hope that someone else will take care of it. Having a community means more than just living in the same place. It means everyone stand together for the right and just things. Having a safe community means protecting everyone’s safety. Living in a small town means you have the perfect place to enact change.
Now imagine my chagrin when I saw this printed in the Hometown paper with the (self-identified) Queer Community repaced with the Gay Community. First off I would like to say that NOT everyone in the queer community is gay. Second, the paper did exactly what my letter is asking people not to do. They replaced a word that really only means different or unconventional with one that applies to a small population of people in the real group. And they OBVIOUSLY did it without challenging themselves as to WHY they were replacing the unoffensive word with one that excludes a large amount of the people I was talking about in my letter.
When I saw people who commented me on this letter, I first explained the paper's error, then they gave me their view on the letter.
Most people thought I was "a very strong writer with a lot of good ideas" but that I would "only be let down when people didn't live up to my expectations"
Here's the thing. I do not expect anything from people. I hope that people take what I write and really encorporate it into their lives. Whether they think I am a genious or insane, I don't really care as long as they THINK about what I am writing and have some reaction to it relating it to themselves. Judging me was not the point of this post, I don't care if you think I am a silly idealist. I don't care if you think I will change the world. I only hope that it will affect you. Good or bad, whatever opinion you have about the ISSUE, share THAT, not what you think about my well-being. Lets get real here people, my life just isn't that interesting and I am never going to do anything to revolutionize the world. Every INDIVIDUAL person needs to revolutionize their own thinking, their own lives for any difference to be made. I only want to inspire people to make this change in themselves.
Perhaps I should have made this clear before I blindsided a small town with such "idealistic" suggestions.
I appreciate the people (that I can count without even using my toes) that understood the point of this letter and told me how much it really made them rethink their own ideas whether it be how they felt about the QUEER community or even how they felt about women in society.
Thank you college graduates. Thank you.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Things I need to learn to do
- make web layouts
- stop procrastinating NOW instead of tomorrow
- focus on one project at a time
- not get intimidated
- not be afraid of hights or spiders
- win free things
- speed read
- write in shorthand
- backhandsprings....again
- dance
This state sucks...really
If you have ever taken a road trip across the country and had the unfortunate encounter with Nebraska, you will understand, empathize with, and chuckle at this story.
As my mom was heroically driving across this state that has no hills, endless rows of corn, no animals, one lake with a boat on it, and a tree that everyone that has ever drivien through Nebraska can pin point on a map, one large bridge with a picture of a scary old guy on it in a town that is spelled wrong for the way they want you to pronounce it, and a couple of billboards. (there is also a town called Ogalala which inspired some revisions to the Christmas song Deck the Halls simply because there is nothing else to look at or do). It is the billboards this time that allow Nebraska to have a sense of humor in my book.
These large advertisements across the state were very eye catching as they were the only thing taller than the mechanically watered corn fields. Most of these billboards had missing pieces and only made me wonder if the farmer's still got paid the same amount to have a billboard on their property if only half of it was still up. One billboard, however, raised eyebrows and allowed chuckles, also perhaps may put Nebraska back on the map so to speak.
Somewhere after Kearny (which is about halfway through Nebraska and the last memorable town before you find out you are in a new time zone and thanking whatever higher power you worship that the next state is just ahead), there was a billboard advertiseing a casino who's name I cannot remember nor its location, nor did I see it anywhere near the interstate. I do remember, however, what the Casino's claim to fame was. Where I assume this casino wanted to advertise LOOSE PENNY SLOTS, each letter taking up one frame of the billboard, the top half of probably the most important letter in that statement was missing. Whatever casino paid for this advertisement would now have any interested interstate traveler requesting their LOOSE PENNY SLuTS.
I should have taken a picture, really, it was fantastic. But Nebraska is too boring a state to want to spend the extra two minutes it would take to pull over, get out, take the picture, and get back on the road, to actually do it.
As my mom was heroically driving across this state that has no hills, endless rows of corn, no animals, one lake with a boat on it, and a tree that everyone that has ever drivien through Nebraska can pin point on a map, one large bridge with a picture of a scary old guy on it in a town that is spelled wrong for the way they want you to pronounce it, and a couple of billboards. (there is also a town called Ogalala which inspired some revisions to the Christmas song Deck the Halls simply because there is nothing else to look at or do). It is the billboards this time that allow Nebraska to have a sense of humor in my book.
These large advertisements across the state were very eye catching as they were the only thing taller than the mechanically watered corn fields. Most of these billboards had missing pieces and only made me wonder if the farmer's still got paid the same amount to have a billboard on their property if only half of it was still up. One billboard, however, raised eyebrows and allowed chuckles, also perhaps may put Nebraska back on the map so to speak.
Somewhere after Kearny (which is about halfway through Nebraska and the last memorable town before you find out you are in a new time zone and thanking whatever higher power you worship that the next state is just ahead), there was a billboard advertiseing a casino who's name I cannot remember nor its location, nor did I see it anywhere near the interstate. I do remember, however, what the Casino's claim to fame was. Where I assume this casino wanted to advertise LOOSE PENNY SLOTS, each letter taking up one frame of the billboard, the top half of probably the most important letter in that statement was missing. Whatever casino paid for this advertisement would now have any interested interstate traveler requesting their LOOSE PENNY SLuTS.
I should have taken a picture, really, it was fantastic. But Nebraska is too boring a state to want to spend the extra two minutes it would take to pull over, get out, take the picture, and get back on the road, to actually do it.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
If Vacation is Heaven, Work is Hell
I got the wonderful opportunity to spend a week in the Rockies with my family. It was amazing to see the dynamics between the family members. As an adult in the family now, I hear and understand a lot more of the quips, fights, and jokes. As with any family there are are issues but watching everyone get along despite our huge differences is great.
Getting away from work was definitely needed. Trading out my computer, desk, and constantly ringing phone for Mountains, lakes, family, a wedding, and lots of trees was perfect.
I was so lucky to get to know my older cousin a little bit better and watch my younger cousins play with anything and everything that seems new to them.
White water rafting, go-kart racing, shopping, hiking, and developing the new family fortune business were just a few of the events that filled my week away. I shut off my phone and closed my eyes to the world at home.
Unfortunatly, I had to return sometime. When I returned to work yesterday, we had three shifts that went uncovered and had to call in other people, one person quit, one person sent home for innapropriate clothing, and no reports done the entire time I was gone. I sent an email to the innappropriate clothing girl and she apparently didn't like the idea that she could not wear whatever clothes she felt like, so she put in her two weeks notice. Another girl thinks that having a job is too much responsibility, so she put in her two weeks notice.
On the bright side, I got a promotion and will not have to deal with this stuff come September when everyone comes back to work.
While I was in the Mountains with my family, my father kept calling my mom and I constantly. Forget that we reminded him that we were roaming and can't afford to talk to him. Forget that we have told him repeatedly that we don't want to talk to him. Forget that he made our live's hell. Let him call anyway. He wants to move back in with us. We can't afford life with him in the house mostly because of the emotional toll he takes on us. I can't have someone that negative in my life right now. I have bigger things to worry about than what he is doing, thinking about doing, buying, wasting away on...you get the picture. This is the guy who didn't get a chance to send my birthday card even though he does not do anything and does not have a job. The same man who screwed up his last chance at a job by not showing up to work and not calling in for two weeks simply because he was constantly hung over. The father who doesn't understand that ignoring his children does not give him the right to be called father. The husband who wants to know how to save the house but won't keep a job to pay for it. The alcoholic that would rather die than put down the tequila bottle. We finally turned off our phones and tried to ignore his existance as much as humanly possible. We have gotten good at this over the last few months. More a fact of life than anything that brings sadness at this point.
Life at home is more complicated, more frustrating, stressful, and distant. But it's better than the alternative. I am glad to be back with my kitten, my new bonsai tree, working out, and large beds.
Can't forget that now I can watch Big Brother uninterrupted!
Loving life no matter what, No regrets, the smallest challenges making me stronger for the biggest ones.
Getting away from work was definitely needed. Trading out my computer, desk, and constantly ringing phone for Mountains, lakes, family, a wedding, and lots of trees was perfect.
I was so lucky to get to know my older cousin a little bit better and watch my younger cousins play with anything and everything that seems new to them.
White water rafting, go-kart racing, shopping, hiking, and developing the new family fortune business were just a few of the events that filled my week away. I shut off my phone and closed my eyes to the world at home.
Unfortunatly, I had to return sometime. When I returned to work yesterday, we had three shifts that went uncovered and had to call in other people, one person quit, one person sent home for innapropriate clothing, and no reports done the entire time I was gone. I sent an email to the innappropriate clothing girl and she apparently didn't like the idea that she could not wear whatever clothes she felt like, so she put in her two weeks notice. Another girl thinks that having a job is too much responsibility, so she put in her two weeks notice.
On the bright side, I got a promotion and will not have to deal with this stuff come September when everyone comes back to work.
While I was in the Mountains with my family, my father kept calling my mom and I constantly. Forget that we reminded him that we were roaming and can't afford to talk to him. Forget that we have told him repeatedly that we don't want to talk to him. Forget that he made our live's hell. Let him call anyway. He wants to move back in with us. We can't afford life with him in the house mostly because of the emotional toll he takes on us. I can't have someone that negative in my life right now. I have bigger things to worry about than what he is doing, thinking about doing, buying, wasting away on...you get the picture. This is the guy who didn't get a chance to send my birthday card even though he does not do anything and does not have a job. The same man who screwed up his last chance at a job by not showing up to work and not calling in for two weeks simply because he was constantly hung over. The father who doesn't understand that ignoring his children does not give him the right to be called father. The husband who wants to know how to save the house but won't keep a job to pay for it. The alcoholic that would rather die than put down the tequila bottle. We finally turned off our phones and tried to ignore his existance as much as humanly possible. We have gotten good at this over the last few months. More a fact of life than anything that brings sadness at this point.
Life at home is more complicated, more frustrating, stressful, and distant. But it's better than the alternative. I am glad to be back with my kitten, my new bonsai tree, working out, and large beds.
Can't forget that now I can watch Big Brother uninterrupted!
Loving life no matter what, No regrets, the smallest challenges making me stronger for the biggest ones.
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