I can’t write the title that I really wanted…

I don’t generally debate all that much in my day-to-day life. I don’t really run into anyone that wants to talk about something that I want to talk about, as I said before, I have no interest in politics whatsoever. However, I do feel that debating is essential to living. If we don’t question the opinions of others and our own personal thoughts/feelings then we are not progressing. I believe it’s very important to recognize others’ opinions and to really listen to all that they encompass. You could learn that your thoughts and theirs share a common thread and can make something good come of the learned link… You just never know.

I’d say that my best strength when debating is the passion I feel for my side of a subject. I believe in many things strongly and I stay firm and true to my beliefs. My biggest weakness would probably be that I don’t understand the thought process of the other side. I do value the other side, but since I feel the way I feel it’s hard for me to really see where the opposition is coming from, what angle they’re looking through the glass at. As in with all debaters, I would wholeheartedly believe my way was the right way, I’m not quite sure how long it would take me to understand the motives of the opposing side. I may or may not be a good debater, I’m really not sure.  

My list of topics includes things that many may not feel important/strongly about, but I do.

·         Smoking – For

·         Drinking -Against

·         Gay Rights -For

·         Abortion -For

·         Anorexia -Big problem

·         Obesity -Bigger problem

·         Global Warming/Sustainability – Biggest Problem

·         China’s Laws on Population Control –A huge step in the right direction

·         Importance of Literacy –Most important thing you can learn

·         Religious attacks on Porn Stars –Unnecessary

I’m not really sure if we’re supposed to say what our stance on these issues are but I felt that if we were going to put these out there than I might as well just do it right here.  

I Deliberately Talk About Frivolous Things Because

I don’t care to talk about politics.

I’m writing this as my opinion of the week because I want to explain why a political statement will be a rare sight you will see from me here, if you see one at all.

I am beyond frustrated that our country has no other focus for months and months while it waits for the elections.

Yes, I do believe it’s good for the candidates to inform people of their positions on issues. I appreciate the debates because they teach you a lot about your prospective presidents.

This is where politics ends for me. The endless speculation, popularity polls, and mudslinging commercials just wear me down. My roommate and I rarely turn on the television or read the newspaper. What is the point? The only faces I will see are the same two, plastered everywhere. I went to Wal-Mart tonight and I counted 4 magazines in which Obama was on the cover. I’m not saying this is a good or bad thing; I probably won’t ever give you an honest opinion of either candidate. I’m just saying I’m sick of seeing them everywhere. I wish we had a different government.

Yes, I did say that. I would rather the country be ran by a tyrant that had absolute authority than live in a country where the image of freedom is smeared and broken, I’d rather the false hope just not be there at all. I might just vote this year to get the experience, for I don’t support either candidate. I don’t believe change is going to occur with either of them, or if it can even be accomplished in the near future.

It’s going to get worse here before it gets any better.

It doesn’t really matter who is president.

I’d really rather spend my time living in my own happy-go-lucky head than in the outside world where hope is a so distant a concept as to be laughable.

They should just draw straws. That’s what I think about the value of politics.

BTW: I pretty much love Amanda Bynes

The perfect boy would be one that really understood my emotional needs and held my hand as much as possible. A few years ago, I really had a problem with guys opening the door for me, but time has changed my thoughts on independence. I don’t want to be told what to do, as much as having a guide for my actions. I’d really prefer to have a guy that gave his opinion and did things on his own than having one who just always gave into my dictates and stood on the sidelines of a relationship. I don’t want a pushover, there’s no passion in that.  I am probably alone in this… but physically, I want a guy that looks like a girl. I’ve never been attracted to muscles or brawn in any way shape or form. I’m not saying I want a guy who wears the “Real Men Wear Pink” shirt. I like the whole package; complete with long hair, nail polish, make up, and girls’ jeans. I know that my perfect mate would be someone who didn’t look so tough on the outside, but had the strength to take my hand and lead me through the storm on the inside-where it counts most.

Or, if you prefer, a pansy that can pack a punch. J

As astronomical as my perfect guy is, I might just end up with a girl. The emotional aspect is really important to me, and I obviously have a better understanding of girls than guys. I’d hope that my perfect girl didn’t have a lot of drama going on, because I prefer the calm and quiet type of living. I really have no preference for what a girl should look like, absolutely nothing… she could be a playboy bunny or have short hair and baggy gangster clothes and I still wouldn’t care. I’d just want her to be fun and sweet.

In either sex, I’d really love for them to not have any artistic or musical talent of any kind. That would be nice, because I really could not relate with either of those things. I value manners and a good sense of humor. I also like people who are self aware and comfortable in their own skin, it’s something I envy because I’m constantly feeling out of place.

And though all of these qualities are good, my perfect mate would definitely have burping contests with me. That’s really the feature I value most.

Can’t be too serious in love right?

A Boy Like Bill…

Or a fun girl like Amanda

Where’s Fluffy?

 

As some of you may know, Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist is a movie that has come to theaters this month. For anyone who doesn’t know, the movie was originally a book, those things you read?

In short, it’s about a few teenagers searching for their favorite band (where’s fluff?) throughout the New York and New Jersey club scene and their seriously hilarious interactions with each other. It makes for a cute date movie, or a good laugh between friends.

I first read N&N a few years ago because it was co-written by my favorite author, David Levithan.  The other co-author, Rachel Cohn, just so happens to be my best friend’s favorite author too. So, we went to see the movie together a few weeks ago and it was kind of surprising. Usually, I’ll be the first to criticize a book-to-movie makeover. They don’t really come out as the best representation possible, in my eyes at least. This book being written by my favorite author really did put a lot of pressure on the movie, I mean; I worship this man’s writing! I think he’s a genius and I was seriously expecting the worst. I was pleasantly surprised though. The movie did a good enough job at portraying the feel of the book as well as the characters. A few scenes were changed drastically, but all in all I think the director/producer/those other people did a fantastic job transforming this book into a motion picture. I don’t think much was lost in the transition. Adelle however… didn’t agree with me, to say the least. She thought the movie was alright, and that yes, some had done a worse job *cough*HARRYPOTTER*cough* but she didn’t think it was as masterful as the book representation.

So… if you have read the book, you should go see the movie and form your own opinion, since the two I know of are so different. And… if you haven’t read the book, PLEASE DO! But, if you don’t like to read you could still go see the movie, since I think it’s pretty sweet too.

J

 

My Crib

My dorm room is kind of depressing, but it’s still home because it’s my personal space. Sam and I didn’t bring a lot of decorations or furnishings but we’re making due until we can get more knick knacks and such.  Sharing a room with Sam is quite easy. All of our things are split directly down the middle, like the closet space and dresser drawers. My wall is more colorful than my roommates, but she’s slowly accumulating posters to fill the deadly pale void that occupies her side of the room.

On my walls, I have posters of my favorite bands, like The Used and Tokio Hotel. The largest expanse of wall, next to my bed, is covered in pictures of Bill Kaulitz (Lead singer of Tokio Hotel). From his full lion’s mane hair to French tipped nails, Bill is definitely the dominate feature of our room.  He not only covers my walls, but also is a constant on my ever-open computer screen. I’ve ever seen Sam watch a few Tokio Hotel music videos on YouTube.

What you’ll most commonly find our computer screens on is commercial friend sites. Sam uses Facebook, while I’m still stuck on MySpace. Books are rarely open in our room, as we don’t want the new paper smell to leave them just yet. Textbook covers are really so much pretty than the inside pages anyway…

As for furnishings, Sam and I of course have two beds, one on each side of the room, although sometimes it looks as if we have three. Sam, brilliant girl she is, decided to buy an area rug that matched her bedspread perfectly. It just leaves my bedspread looking awkward and underused. We have no curtains or hanging do-dads, no gold-fish bowl or plasma TV.

What we do have is enough for the both of us though. It’s really cut in half. The center holds our dresser and TV, movies ext, as well as our mirror on the opposing wall. To each side of that, we each have a mini fridge and our beds. Nothing too exciting, but they’re colorful and comfy.

While my side looks like an explosion of pastel disco mixed with edgy vampire, Sam’s side of the room holds more of a centralized style. Her posters are mostly landscapes, including an amazing island sunset and a horizontal skyline picture of New York City. Oh yeah, we (obviously) have a giant poster of Johnny Depp. I mean, that practically goes without saying.

It always smells nice, since Sam and I both decided we would each buy a bottle of Warm Sunburst spray. Our room always smells like sunsets and flowers so it’s kind of nice to come back too after classes.

 All in all, our room isn’t the most decorated or bright, but we’ve seen worse.

Oh. I almost forgot. My Clay Aiken teddy bear is always snuggly wrapped in my blankets, awaiting my eminent return to him.

Fuck It. (5)

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/10/06/earlyshow/main4503572.shtml

Monday marked a very sad day for many communities throughout the country. It has been ten years since Matthew Shepard, an open gay college student, was viciously beaten, tied up, and left to die on a fence post in Wyoming. When he died five days later, the courts ruled his murder as a hate crime.

I know a lot about Matthew’s death, the town he came from, and the men who murdered him. The first few years of my high school career were devoted to researching hate crimes and animosity towards GLBT people in this free country.

I was brought up with the belief that you can live your life in whatever fashion you choose as long as it doesn’t interfere or endanger another person’s right to live. The years have shown me that not everyone was brought up the same way. Right here, I could say, that it’s okay, it’s a free country, and all that jazz. But I won’t. My beliefs are my beliefs and these ones will never change. You can’t hurt someone who is different from you unless they have tried to hurt you first. Its simple logic and you’d think any idiot would get it.

Some don’t.

I started off writing this in a sad mood, thinking that it has been a decade and we’re still talking about Matthew Shepard; his death being that profound. Now, I’m just pissed off. I don’t understand how someone who is not physically threatened by another person can kill them. I don’t, and I never will.

I have a lot to say but it can’t all be said here. I hate people with simple minds and simple standards. I hate that I have to be afraid for my best friend. I hate that I am so afraid for him, that I have no time to be scared for myself.

My door says “Don’t hate in ‘08” and I guess this post means it’s only half true. Because I’ll be the first one to acknowledge that I hate people who aren’t accepting of me and my friends because of what I am.

Who people are is not gay, It’s just what they are.

In closing I’d like to say that Matthew Shepard’s death wasn’t the first hate crime and it won’t be the last. But it is the most widely known/recognized one to those outside of the gay community. I can’t begin to describe the other murders I’ve stumbled upon today, in the course of writing this post… So I’m going to end it as is, I can’t write anymore right now, though I have a lot to say, I need to breathe before class.

 Here at NMU, Outlook and Coming out Week are hosting a candle light vigil for him at the Heart of Northern, Wednesday (Oct. 8th) at 10p.m.

The Faces Hate has Erased

Gwen (Eddie) Arajuo (1985-2002)

Matthew Shepard (1976-1998)

Lawrence King (1993-2008)

A party girl, a college student, and a fifteen  year old boy.

This is who they were.

They were killed for nothing.

 

Ana’s Song (4)

http://skinnysite.blogspot.com/2008/06/legs-thinspo.html

 

 

This week I wanted to use a picture that I thought would start some conversation. Weight is a big issue in today’s society. Almost everyone has an opinion on their own weight, not to mention the weight of others.

This picture was found on a website called The Skinny Site, where the motto is “Thin is a Skill.” I don’t know if anyone in this class knows a lot about Anorexia Nervosa but I wanted to throw some light onto the issue.

Anorexia is often shortened to Ana and it is considered a psychological disease, even though its effects are most visible on the body itself. In my search I found a chart that showed that in the year 2006 the largest anorexic group was girls from the age of ten to thirteen.

Many people believe anorexics are the way they are simply for attention… What do you think?

Before you answer, just remember that there are two sides to every issue. By two sides, I mean there are those who are completely for anorexia, (who are not anorexic) and help support those who wish to continue with the lifestyle (Pro-Ana), and there are those who firmly discourage the destructive behavior (Anti-Ana).

I just thought I’d bring up the issue as it’s something I studied heavily in high school and I hoped to get some feedback from the class.

 

You Wouldn’t Have Thought…(4)

http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/health/1192515,CST-NWS-cancer30.article

I searched for random articles and this one sounded pretty interesting. All the description said was that  a woman was mugged and that the incident probably helped save her life.

The article explains that Kelly Mulqueenly and her friend were mugged and shot by two armed men on the street last July. As if that wasn’t bad enough, the doctor told her she had bigger problems than the bullet in her leg. They had diagnosed her with ovarian cancer as well.

This was where the article hit home for me. About seven or eight months ago, my grandmother was also diagnosed with ovarian cancer when she went to the hospital to inquire about an on-going stomach ache. They immediately rushed her to Grand Rapids and she was in surgery the next day. Ovarian cancer is called a silent killer because it’s usually detected very late in the progression of the disease.

I will probably never cease to be amazed at how things happen, for the better or for the worse. Kelly Mulqueenly saw the mugging as a sign from above, that someone was watching over her, making sure the bigger problem was caught before it was too late. I can’t say I disagree.

I have a theory about my roommate… (4)

“I’m going to die of freezation!” – Samantha Evens

This week’s quote is again, from my roommate, Sam. What can I say; she’s a bundle of… something.

I had not intended to post something she said again, but the opportunity came up and I was shocked. She just says things without thinking and to me; they are the funniest phrases a person could ever hear.

For example; Sam, Myself, and our friend Dan are sitting at dinner last night. Sam has a winter coat on and her teeth are starting to chatter by the end of the meal. I start laughing, before anything is being said, because I know she was warm earlier and she’ll be warm again. Her body heat fluctuates drastically without cause most days. So, shaking and shivering she yells out, “Hurry up! I’m going to die of freezation!”

It’s funny because she doesn’t mean for it to be. That girl can speak words that aren’t real like its second nature.

This leads me to sometimes wonder if she is, indeed, human.

I mean… wouldn’t you be skeptical too if your roommate could die of freezation and was very susceptible to meltation? I sure am anyway…

 

Serendipity (4)

Serendipity

The word Serendipity was first used by English author Horace Walpole in one of his some 3,000 stories. He wrote “The Three Princes of Serendip,” and sprouted his very own word from it to explain workings in his stories. Serendip was an old name for the island of Sri Lanka.

Serendipity has come to mean a few things, with a common theme. It’s seen as a term for making good accidental discoveries. I’ve also heard the term used to explain why certain events happen, why they fall into place the way they do.