But What About Big Bird?!?!?!?!

First and foremost this post has NOTHING TO DO WITH POLITICS!!!

That being said, there is too much going on with this Sesame Street business for me not to chime in. I am really frustrated by free thinking adults constantly jumping on the band wagon rather than thinking for themselves. In the recent presidential debate a comment was made about ending government subsidization to PBS and now everyone is all "what about Big Bird." "what about the kids!?!?" Okay people clearly you are in fact band wagoners and don't watch PBS, if you did you would be aware that prior to every broadcast they state something along the lines of "this program is made possible by viewers like you."...not solely the government. If you people are so worried about whats going to happen to a big yellow bird give up your cigarettes, booze, and movie money and send in a nice little donation, posting a bunch of randomness isn't going to help him out. But seeing as how most likely you wont be donating anything to the cause you are so adamant about, get over it. Don't get me wrong I love Sesame Street and my son like most toddlers loves him some Elmo but seriously all this nonsense about "What about the Kids?" "Big Bird and friends taught me so much about the alphabet and number and being respectful." Well that's unfortunate. You know who taught me numbers and the alphabet and how to be respectful? My parents! Sesame Street is a fantastic program but it is not an alternative to parenting. The education of your children is your responsibility not the governments.

Done.

Soulmates

Soulmates: a conundrum that has been plaguing the world since circa 1820 (maybe). So in lieu of recent social network events here is my take on the idea.

I am a believer in soulmates...that being said. I do not believe there is a one person out there for each of us in a romantic sense. As a wise woman said, that is "...absolutely one of the least romantic concepts out there, in addition to being totally statistically impossible." Truth. I believe that each of us is destined to meant one person who a) has a drastic effect on our life b) enables us to have a drastic effect on someone elses life and/or c) when meshed together you both have a dramatic effect on the world (or those in your social circle). For example Steve Jobs and Apple, Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks, Stephen King and Richard Matheson....soulmates. Small connections can make a big change even if all you ever see is a small one. Your soulmate may not be the person to spend your life with but it can very well be the teacher who inspires you to be a doctor which leads to you curing cancer. It could be your repugnant father who gave you the motivation for change and set you on your path to becoming the Pope (or a vicious dictator, life doesn't discriminate). Point being, I believe that person is out there for all of us, calling us to exhibit our greatness. I do not believe everyone finds theirs, in fact I believe most people don't. I also believe actually searching this person out completely defeats the purpose. So just live, and if and when you meet the person who challenges you to change the world smile and change it!

And Then...There Was Google...

Well hello blog world, it has been far too long! So here is to trying to change that.

So this morning on my drive to work I hear on the radio that in the past 15 years the obesity rate in America has doubled. Ridiculous. So there I sat, driving, racking my brain for what could possibly be the reason...then BAM! it hit me. My vote? Google! So 15 years ago people actually had to leave their homes for research and entertainment....alas there is no longer a need. I remember in grade school having to do book reports. This tedious process involved WALKING to the library, finding a book, WALKING back home, reading said book in its entirety, writing MY OWN paper, WALKING back to the library to return the book and finally WALKING back home. Kids these days? Google a book, Google an essay on that book, print said essay, continue shooting zombies or updating status...see where there is an obvious problem? Now, though it may seem otherwise, I am not blaming Google for obese people. I blame obese people for their own obesity, it was their choices that got them where they are. I'm just ranting that once, we had to walk to movies to view show times, or to the pool to catch the hours of operation. At one point being outside and walking wouldn't phase any of us one bit because it's all we had. In the age of Google it seems like there is a never ending foray of excuses. "It's too hot." "That's too far." "My show is coming on." "I already went out today." And so on and so forth. I say, you clearly have more than enough time to update your status, comment on pictures, and apply online which means you have plenty of time to take a walk, apply in person and tell someone with a face how you are doing...just saying.

Limits On Happiness

Who is to dictate your happiness other than yourself? Should the possibility of hurting another person stop you from pursuing your own happiness? (Disclaimer: I am referring to emotional pain not physical pain.) If you have a good job and you are unhappy should you stay at that job? Or should you quit and be an artist cause that’s what you have always wanted to do and it’s what makes you happy…same scenario but add a significant other who’s gotten used to living a certain way. I don’t think I need to go into multiple examples for you all to get the idea. Point, what, if any, are the limits to a person’s happiness? Is it determined by the individual or by morals and stipulations based on societal views? Should a person give up their own happiness for another? And again, should that choice be made by the individual themselves? And more so, should the choice be made, is it really our own or have we been so influenced by our surroundings that we talk ourselves into what we think is right by those standards. I like to think my parents influenced me to make responsible choices but to make choices that would bring me happiness. Life to me is not about pleasing the wishes of others but living life to the fullest because as cliché as it is, tomorrow really is not promised to anyone. Life should be lived and not categorized into race, age, sexuality, or anything else. If it makes you happy and brings fulfillment to your life why let negative stigmas get in the way? Are you okay with today if tomorrow is the end? You should be.

Elementary My Dear Watson!

Though I am still quite young in the eyes of many I find it disconcerting that my generation is so lacking in the proper skills of communication and conflict resolution. Now I myself am far from being the model citizen in this regard so it's saying a lot that I am finding a discrepancy here. More and more I am finding myself faced with "school yard drama", adult situations being handled with elementary tactics. I was not aware that at my age (and thus the age of my peers) the silent treatment was still an option when faced with infuriating of uncomfortable situations. Am I wrong in assuming that as adults, issues should be faced and resolved not ignored? It is thoroughly annoying when I hit a brick wall when trying to confront a serious situation. If you're not ready to face your problems or the problems others have with you at least be adult enough to admit you aren't ready. Not that hard, I promise. And in contrast, what is the deal with feeling the need to lie and act out to get attention? If someone is truly a friend or significant other I guarantee you do not need to exaggerate in any way, shape, or form to keep their attention. We are not 3 year olds, we have words therefore we need to use them and use them properly. We also need to be responsible for our actions. It is not the government keeping you from getting a job, nor is it "daddy issues" causing you to sleep around (oof! not going there)! Also, I am very much aware that people have varying opinions and views (as you should be at this point in your life). All people don't hold the same morals, doctrines, or understanding of satisfactory hygiene but it was my belief that we were past the age of being catty about it. There is no need to humiliate another person to make yourself look or feel better. If it's such an indiscretion please handle the situation like the adult you are suppose to be. Pull the person to the side and be respectful with your verbiage...move on. Stop making it a big deal and stop making it public information. I swear that adages of "you'll understand when you're older." are simply a farce to keep young minds at bay, and really getting older just means dealing with the same ridiculous immature mindset in bigger bodies. Annoyed!

Context vs. Content

Listening to the radio this morning I heard a program talking about a school that does not teach content but context in regards to standardized testing. Now maybe I didn’t quite understand what they were saying but to my understanding they do not teach information on the test but rather how testing in general is structured…does that make sense? And is that even helpful? I am not a huge fan of standardized testing but I do see some of the benefits of it, (perhaps a later post?) but from what I have gathered from the program I don’t imagine the test results would be very good.  How can one succeed by simply knowing the context but not the content of a test.  This particular school was a secondary school and I am pretty sure at that age one should know how to successfully complete any form of test. Even if it’s a test style they have never come across, with proper instructions they should manage. I don’t know, so weird to me. 

What's My Age Again?

In a recent discussion with a friend and in light of current events I find that perhaps the world needs a Nu view on maturity. Now the obvious problem here is people refusing to act their age. A 2 year old is allowed to throw temper tantrums, not a 32 year old. An 8 year old is supposed to tattle, and vehemently exclaim that the lamp was already broken, not a 25 year old. When you hit that great age of 18 you are legally an adult, please act your age. Not your stereotypical age, your actual age. Stop adding extra letters to your texts (ex: Whaaaatttt uuuppp ggirrllll ßseriously, what is that??) and stop getting information about the world via TMZ. There are important things happening, and what Snooki said to JWOWW is not one of them (Sidebar: I have never seen Jersey Shore nor do I ever want to and I’m proud to say I had to look up the cast of the show to get those names. End sidebar). Once you have reached that ripe old age of 18 there are a couple of things to adhere to and you have till 21 to have them mastered, after that you will be deemed an ignoramus! At least by myself. First off, learn to take criticism. If someone tells you that the pants hanging off your butt make you look like an idiot they are probably right…but they could be wrong. Think about it. If you walked into an interview would you hire you? A “fly honey” (note to self: blog about not sounding like a cretin) is walking down the street, is she going to choose you or the well dressed gentleman to your left? Hopefully I’ve made my point. Either you listen and change, or say whatever and go on with your life, it’s up to you, but remember to properly handle your choice. What not to do? Fly of the handle and accuse the person of anything, don’t threaten them, don’t put sugar in their gas tank. Act your age! Thank them for their opinion or inform them your clothes are a statement against “the man” or whatever your reason may be. Done and done. You both move on with your lives. Second take responsibility, for your words, your actions, and your life. At this point what you say and what you do is on you and no one but you. Handle it. Lastly (simply because this post is getting to long for my taste), aspire. Set realistic goals and go for them. Conquer this and everything else comes naturally…well, at least up to 25, it’s a process. “People who have no hold over their process of thinking are likely to be ruined by liberty of thought. If thought is immature, liberty of thought becomes a method of converting men into animals.” -Muhammad Iqbal

What You Say is as Important as What You Don't

“She killed herself because she didn’t think she was beautiful.”  In this day and age of the “bully” we have all been pressed to look into the consequences of our words and actions. But what if it is the things we aren’t saying and doing as much as what we are? We live in a world of assumptions with no one actually saying what they mean because they assume it’s obvious…it’s not. It’s important to tell people the good as well as the bad. When you only voice your opinions about the negative things, those are the things the person is going to hear, thus creating in them a sense of inadequacy. Not feeling loved in your own home can only validate the negativity thrown at a person in the outside world. A bully is only as effective as the response they receive. Whether with words or actions their goal is to belittle and appear superior. By instilling a sense of confidence in a person it limits the amount of ammunition a bully has. So, if you let someone know every time they mess up, let them know every time they do something good as well. There should never go a day when without you telling someone that you love them and are proud of them or that they make you happy. Nobody has to fish for criticism and nobody should have to fish for compliments. No one, no matter their age or status, should feel unloved or unworthy of the love of another.  Growing up is hard to do, especially when you think no one loves you. 

Ignorance is not bliss....it's just ignorance

I swear I have a Hispanic gangs in my class!!!! So scary and I saw a Black guy and Hispanic guy fighting already this morning! There is no place that here bc Monterey and its surrounding cities are tooooo diverse. Gee I'm goin to be wearing a bullet proof vest to class, and stare at my feet!

Aside from the obvious grammar issues this comment has to be one of the most ignorant things I have read in a while from a so called educated person. Now I am trying to be optimistic and tell myself this person is not as much of a bigot as they sound, but it's hard to see that through the wordage. That this person deems a place "tooooo diverse" is certainly a red flag. Now I am not so naive to think that racism and discrimination are dead nor do I believe that in personal situations a person should censor themselves to make others comfortable. But I have to wonder what kind of a shoe box this person was raised in! Too be so young (because this person is under 25) and still hold such bold stereotypes is pretty appalling. To me it is obvious that despite the fisticuffs these people are trying to better themselves, after all they are taking college classes. I doubt this person even thought about that. I don't know, my mind is truly blown on this one.