I paid attention. Well, not really. I did pay attention when I got to take college classes my senior year though. Luckily one of those classes was government. I learned a very important lesson that semester. If your political party loses an election, you are then required to act as part of the loyal opposition. You aren't the losing side, or the degraded outsiders, you're still part of the team. You still get to play in the game. And you get to attend the after parties even if you aren't as excited to be there. I thought, and still think, that it's one of the more beautiful concepts our government has to offer. Just think about it. You're free to express your opinion, (within limits of course, no one likes Debbie Downer for a reason, and that's part of the deal) but you are expected to man up and be a part of the whole. I really like that. Everyone knows that with every freedom comes a greater responsibility, well, at least, everyone should know this fact. I know that isn't always the case.
Especially in Rush Limbaugh's case. He clearly missed out on a few very important pointers for life. For starters, it's very clear that his parents forgot to mention that just because they didn't give him a real name, and instead picked out a verb, he's not exempt from the common societal niceties. Yeah, I know, asking a lot here.
What am I talking about? I'm talking about http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/26/limbaugh-i-hope-sotomayor_n_207690.html
Who says those kinds of things? And don't say, "Rush Limbaugh does," because that's not an acceptable answer. Establishing yourself with a history as a vile word vomiter does not give you any rights to continue to act as one. It's like my mother taught me, "It's not what you say, it's how you say it." Rush, go back to high school government and learn about loyal opposition. It's not that hard a concept, but it's incredible when put into practice. Individuals like Limbaugh are one reason we have problems working together as a country. If time machines are ever invented, I hope they send him back to the founding fathers for a royal fanny whooping!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Pottery Lesson
I had my first pottery lesson over the weekend, and wow was it amazing! It was also much harder than it appears. I've watched Casey throw some pieces before and it looks simply effortless, but I found out very quickly that having an aerial view of the lump of clay is very different than my previously horizontal viewpoint. It's so easy to watch from the side and say, "Oh, OK, I see how that works." But when you're actually holding the clay in your hands, nothing makes sense anymore. You have no idea how anything works anymore.
My first piece went a lot easier than my second. I messed up when I was pulling the clay up on my second piece and lost a big section, but it was salvageable and it turned into what will be a cup or mug. The first piece is going to be my morning cereal bowl. I think my brain was a little fried by the time I tried the second throwing because I felt like I was having difficulties concentrating. The mental fatigue was definitely a surprise, and the time flew by! It felt like we had only been working for about an hour, but when we checked, it was closer to 3 and 1/2! Which of course explains the mental fatigue.
Props to Casey though, he's a really good teacher. I'm talking, this kid is 15 and he throws some amazingly artful and elegant pieces. He also walked me through two different pieces very patiently and calmly. Very impressive. He is not your average 15 year old. I really hope he keeps up his creative streak because I really do think he'll go far. Every time I go to visit the Harless house for some reason or another (his Mom and I are close friends on top of the fact that I love spending time with Casey's siblings, Charlie and Layla) he shows me some new technique that he's either seen at a workshop or in a YouTube video. I watched a few Sunday when I took a break from my own writing and cleaning and learned a bunch. I even googled wheels to see exactly how much one would cost, but that's definitely not an impulse buy.
I was so excited that I forgot to take pictures of my stuff so that will have to wait until I go over there again or until they're fired and I get them back!
My first piece went a lot easier than my second. I messed up when I was pulling the clay up on my second piece and lost a big section, but it was salvageable and it turned into what will be a cup or mug. The first piece is going to be my morning cereal bowl. I think my brain was a little fried by the time I tried the second throwing because I felt like I was having difficulties concentrating. The mental fatigue was definitely a surprise, and the time flew by! It felt like we had only been working for about an hour, but when we checked, it was closer to 3 and 1/2! Which of course explains the mental fatigue.
Props to Casey though, he's a really good teacher. I'm talking, this kid is 15 and he throws some amazingly artful and elegant pieces. He also walked me through two different pieces very patiently and calmly. Very impressive. He is not your average 15 year old. I really hope he keeps up his creative streak because I really do think he'll go far. Every time I go to visit the Harless house for some reason or another (his Mom and I are close friends on top of the fact that I love spending time with Casey's siblings, Charlie and Layla) he shows me some new technique that he's either seen at a workshop or in a YouTube video. I watched a few Sunday when I took a break from my own writing and cleaning and learned a bunch. I even googled wheels to see exactly how much one would cost, but that's definitely not an impulse buy.
I was so excited that I forgot to take pictures of my stuff so that will have to wait until I go over there again or until they're fired and I get them back!
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Ida
Yesterday I read several news articles regarding the discovery of the 47-million-year-old fossil that has been named, "Ida." If you haven't heard about it, Ida might be the "missing link" between humans and apes. Check it out: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/05/090519-missing-link-found.html
My point? Well, while I think this is really cool, and has some great potential as far as science is concerned, I don't think it's anything to get your panties in a knot over, which is exactly what a ton of people were doing in the comments section of every online article I read yesterday.
Creationists vs. Evolutionists. Seriously kids, it's like the AM kindergarten and the PM kindergarten. Why is it so hard to play together? And why are the kids that go to both the AM and PM classes always ostracised because they haven't picked a side? I don't get it. Maybe I'm just a happy person. I like it when the sun shines.
To all the Creationists out there: Do not use religion to back your story up. For every religious story/myth/history, there is another one somewhere else in the world to contradict/debunk/discredit it. You are not the final authority. There is not existing original source material. Open up your mind and shut your mouth.
To all the Evolutionists out there: Do not use science to back your story up. For every scientific fact/theory/principle, there is another one somewhere else in the world to contradict/debunk/discredit it. I'm talking big science here. I'm not talking about things like 2+2=4. That is, and hopefully always will be, true. Open up your mind and shut your mouth.
Are we back to my point? I guess we are. My point is that no one knows. Actually knows the truth. We probably won't ever know the truth, not really. I don't have a problem with that either. I don't play for either team in this argument, I don't think it's important to pick a side here.
One person online was arguing that everyone should give up religion because there's no way to prove it and that [he thinks] we're all just going to rot once we die so he didn't see the point in living for a belief. I would argue that the world would be a better place if everyone lived for a belief system because if you believe in some kind of eternity, there's a sense of ultimate responsibility. You are all of a sudden accountable for your actions on a higher level. Are you holding yourself accountable? Ultimately, yes. But you're doing it because you believe there's a higher power that will hold you to the same standard, if not to a higher one, later, and with greater consequences. It makes me think of those WWJD? bracelets we used to wear in middle school. If everyone based their decisions on some religious scale (I'm not saying you have to choose the WWJD? scale) the world would be a better place. If everyone lived their lives with the idea that you just died and that was it, well, then what would we have to live for? There's no hope in that concept.
Like I said, maybe I just like the sunshine.
My point? Well, while I think this is really cool, and has some great potential as far as science is concerned, I don't think it's anything to get your panties in a knot over, which is exactly what a ton of people were doing in the comments section of every online article I read yesterday.
Creationists vs. Evolutionists. Seriously kids, it's like the AM kindergarten and the PM kindergarten. Why is it so hard to play together? And why are the kids that go to both the AM and PM classes always ostracised because they haven't picked a side? I don't get it. Maybe I'm just a happy person. I like it when the sun shines.
To all the Creationists out there: Do not use religion to back your story up. For every religious story/myth/history, there is another one somewhere else in the world to contradict/debunk/discredit it. You are not the final authority. There is not existing original source material. Open up your mind and shut your mouth.
To all the Evolutionists out there: Do not use science to back your story up. For every scientific fact/theory/principle, there is another one somewhere else in the world to contradict/debunk/discredit it. I'm talking big science here. I'm not talking about things like 2+2=4. That is, and hopefully always will be, true. Open up your mind and shut your mouth.
Are we back to my point? I guess we are. My point is that no one knows. Actually knows the truth. We probably won't ever know the truth, not really. I don't have a problem with that either. I don't play for either team in this argument, I don't think it's important to pick a side here.
One person online was arguing that everyone should give up religion because there's no way to prove it and that [he thinks] we're all just going to rot once we die so he didn't see the point in living for a belief. I would argue that the world would be a better place if everyone lived for a belief system because if you believe in some kind of eternity, there's a sense of ultimate responsibility. You are all of a sudden accountable for your actions on a higher level. Are you holding yourself accountable? Ultimately, yes. But you're doing it because you believe there's a higher power that will hold you to the same standard, if not to a higher one, later, and with greater consequences. It makes me think of those WWJD? bracelets we used to wear in middle school. If everyone based their decisions on some religious scale (I'm not saying you have to choose the WWJD? scale) the world would be a better place. If everyone lived their lives with the idea that you just died and that was it, well, then what would we have to live for? There's no hope in that concept.
Like I said, maybe I just like the sunshine.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Post Cruise
Well I can officially say I have been to the Bahamas! I just got back from a four night, five day cruise there and it was fabulous! I snorkeled, I sunbathed, I partied pretty darn hardy, I did just about everything I set out to do on my little cruise. I did not get sunburnt, which is a huge accomplishment considering I could be confused for Casper's second cousin. So all in all, good times.
I will say this, on the partying note: I am not a partier. I have lived past those days in my life. But on this cruise, I not only kept up with the pace, I sometimes set it, which I think rather surprised a few of my shipmates. I surprised myself anyway, which I've decided is a new goal for me, to continue to surprise myself. I don't do that enough and I like the feeling.
We left last Monday and even got to see the shuttle launch from the deck of the ship before the ship got underway. That was a pretty amazing start to out week. I mean I've seen a few on TV and all, but we were literally right across the water from the space center. It was really cool to watch it zoom up into the sky and then feel the shock wave hit us a few seconds afterwards. I always get a secret thrill when I get to experience something like that in person because it's like I'm living in the moment of science. I know, geeky. But it was cool.
The first place we stopped at was CoCo Cay, which is the island owned by the cruise company. It's kind of like the Disney version of the Bahamas. Everything is a little brighter and shinier there than when you get to Nassau. That's where we snorkeled. I got some great underwater shots when we went snorkeling, so I'll have to post some of them later when I get to my computer. We also saw some iguanas hanging out around the island, so that was pretty cool. The only obnoxious part about the whole thing was that they made you wear this inflatable vest thing to keep you from drowning, which made it almost impossible to dive down. Even with all the air pushed out of it, it made you so buoyant that you immediately flew right back to the surface. I understand why those vests really help for liability purposes and all, but it gave my some serious grief for the day.
Our second stop was at Nassau, which was pretty cool. We got hooked up with an awesome cab driver, Byron, who took us on a tour around the island to the local places. He also stopped by his friend's bar to give Georgia a birthday drink and let us taste conch salad. Conch is pretty good. The salad was done in a ceviche style, with chopped onions and loads of citrus juices. Byron said it was the local version of oysters. Told us the men there never stop having babies. We also stopped by an abandoned pirate cave, the straw market, and Senior Frogs that night. I wasn't really impressed by either the market or the bar, but the cave was pretty tight.
I'm definitely going back for another vacation someplace tropical. I have to admit, I never really pictured myself as the tropical vacation lover because of the risk of sunburn. I didn't think I'd be able to enjoy it. I have all these friends who keep going on tropical honeymoons and I always assumed I'd be the "Backpack through Europe" type. But now, perhaps not. Guess I should find a prospective husband...
I will say this, on the partying note: I am not a partier. I have lived past those days in my life. But on this cruise, I not only kept up with the pace, I sometimes set it, which I think rather surprised a few of my shipmates. I surprised myself anyway, which I've decided is a new goal for me, to continue to surprise myself. I don't do that enough and I like the feeling.
We left last Monday and even got to see the shuttle launch from the deck of the ship before the ship got underway. That was a pretty amazing start to out week. I mean I've seen a few on TV and all, but we were literally right across the water from the space center. It was really cool to watch it zoom up into the sky and then feel the shock wave hit us a few seconds afterwards. I always get a secret thrill when I get to experience something like that in person because it's like I'm living in the moment of science. I know, geeky. But it was cool.
The first place we stopped at was CoCo Cay, which is the island owned by the cruise company. It's kind of like the Disney version of the Bahamas. Everything is a little brighter and shinier there than when you get to Nassau. That's where we snorkeled. I got some great underwater shots when we went snorkeling, so I'll have to post some of them later when I get to my computer. We also saw some iguanas hanging out around the island, so that was pretty cool. The only obnoxious part about the whole thing was that they made you wear this inflatable vest thing to keep you from drowning, which made it almost impossible to dive down. Even with all the air pushed out of it, it made you so buoyant that you immediately flew right back to the surface. I understand why those vests really help for liability purposes and all, but it gave my some serious grief for the day.
Our second stop was at Nassau, which was pretty cool. We got hooked up with an awesome cab driver, Byron, who took us on a tour around the island to the local places. He also stopped by his friend's bar to give Georgia a birthday drink and let us taste conch salad. Conch is pretty good. The salad was done in a ceviche style, with chopped onions and loads of citrus juices. Byron said it was the local version of oysters. Told us the men there never stop having babies. We also stopped by an abandoned pirate cave, the straw market, and Senior Frogs that night. I wasn't really impressed by either the market or the bar, but the cave was pretty tight.
I'm definitely going back for another vacation someplace tropical. I have to admit, I never really pictured myself as the tropical vacation lover because of the risk of sunburn. I didn't think I'd be able to enjoy it. I have all these friends who keep going on tropical honeymoons and I always assumed I'd be the "Backpack through Europe" type. But now, perhaps not. Guess I should find a prospective husband...
Monday, May 04, 2009
First Entry
So I've been thinking about this whole "blog" thing for a while now and have obviously decided to start one. We'll see how well I manage. I do have quite a few opinions as well as the desire to express said opinions, so I think perhaps a blog could be a good thing. Personally I have always thought the concept of blogs were kind of silly because of the whole "online diary" aspect that so many people use them for. I'm not really into that. If I wanted to tell the world my most intimate thoughts and details I'd either get on PostSecret (also a load of crap) or I'd tell my friends (not crap). But now blogs have come very full circle and are being used as a whole new means of social media and I like that, I like that a lot.
So there you have it, my very first opinion. Huh, I didn't even try. Maybe this blog thing will be easier than I had previously thought!
So there you have it, my very first opinion. Huh, I didn't even try. Maybe this blog thing will be easier than I had previously thought!
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