Stories like this one make me happy.
Songs/videos like this one also make me happy.
Have a good day.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Shorelines
Do you ever get the feeling that if you don't run away now... if you don't start running this very day... that you will be stuck?
I always take living by Lake Erie for granted. When I went away to Akron... I didn't realize what I wanted to do with my life. I didn't realize I wanted to be an English major. I didn't realize how much I would love poetry.
And I didn't realize how much I would miss sitting by the lake and reading a novel after a long and stressful day.
I always take living by Lake Erie for granted. When I went away to Akron... I didn't realize what I wanted to do with my life. I didn't realize I wanted to be an English major. I didn't realize how much I would love poetry.
And I didn't realize how much I would miss sitting by the lake and reading a novel after a long and stressful day.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Communion Cups and Someone's Coat
So... this evening was my last evening for awhile with one of my best friends. Between her leaving, and with all of the other things that have been happening this summer... good and bad... I've had a poem brewing in my head for some time now...
I finally worked my way through it tonight. I'd like to share with you... because it will most likely be included in my English major Senior Project, and might be in a book of famous poetry someday.
I've entitled it "Loveology" which is totally ripping off Regina Spektor... just so she gets props.
"Loveology"
In the basement,
I'm brushing off old books,
trying to study love.
The porcelain doll's hand is cracked,
and the cross necklace collects rust
on the antique table.
As I open the books,
pages disintegrate,
and the binding is broken,
but still I learn...
Love is understood
in all the languages of the world,
it is making my heart beat
like raindrops on a tin roof.
Love can be written with a feather pen
or typed on a computer.
It can fall from lips
or flow from fingertips.
Love can reach
from Arizona to Ohio.
It can be in the sea and on land
at the very same time.
Love is the light
piercing through the small
basement window,
making the dust dance.
I finally worked my way through it tonight. I'd like to share with you... because it will most likely be included in my English major Senior Project, and might be in a book of famous poetry someday.
I've entitled it "Loveology" which is totally ripping off Regina Spektor... just so she gets props.
"Loveology"
In the basement,
I'm brushing off old books,
trying to study love.
The porcelain doll's hand is cracked,
and the cross necklace collects rust
on the antique table.
As I open the books,
pages disintegrate,
and the binding is broken,
but still I learn...
Love is understood
in all the languages of the world,
it is making my heart beat
like raindrops on a tin roof.
Love can be written with a feather pen
or typed on a computer.
It can fall from lips
or flow from fingertips.
Love can reach
from Arizona to Ohio.
It can be in the sea and on land
at the very same time.
Love is the light
piercing through the small
basement window,
making the dust dance.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
The Boy is On the Outside
I'm so close to broke, I'm going to be stripping for money soon...
Which would cause me to examine my spending habits...
Another expensive habit I have... smoking. Probably one of the most expensive habits besides doing drugs...
So I saw this infomercial the other night when I was with my boyfriend for this product called Zerosmoke... it's a little magnetic earring basically... (if you weren't allowed to have your ears pierced as a little girl, you'll know what I'm referring to)... and you wear it, and something about it hits you at acupuncture spots to stop your nicotine cravings... you wear it for like 3-4 hours the first few days and continue to smoke normally... then at like the 7th day, you don't have a desire to smoke, and I think the commercial even said you have a distaste for cigarettes... so then you keep wearing the thing for 20-25 days just to ensure that you really do stop.
Sounds like it's worth it for the 6.95 shipping and free 14 day trial... but what's the catch? The website says that 84% of smokers who tried it were able to quit smoking...
I really wanna check it out, but I'm afraid that it'll be like 100 dollars after the 14 days. haha. Maybe I'll just wait til they put it on the shelves at Wal-Mart...
Or maybe you can try it and tell me how it works out for you.
Which would cause me to examine my spending habits...
Another expensive habit I have... smoking. Probably one of the most expensive habits besides doing drugs...
So I saw this infomercial the other night when I was with my boyfriend for this product called Zerosmoke... it's a little magnetic earring basically... (if you weren't allowed to have your ears pierced as a little girl, you'll know what I'm referring to)... and you wear it, and something about it hits you at acupuncture spots to stop your nicotine cravings... you wear it for like 3-4 hours the first few days and continue to smoke normally... then at like the 7th day, you don't have a desire to smoke, and I think the commercial even said you have a distaste for cigarettes... so then you keep wearing the thing for 20-25 days just to ensure that you really do stop.
Sounds like it's worth it for the 6.95 shipping and free 14 day trial... but what's the catch? The website says that 84% of smokers who tried it were able to quit smoking...
I really wanna check it out, but I'm afraid that it'll be like 100 dollars after the 14 days. haha. Maybe I'll just wait til they put it on the shelves at Wal-Mart...
Or maybe you can try it and tell me how it works out for you.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Testify
Yes, I did quote Rage Against the Machine for this post...
I am the least knowledgeable person you will ever meet when it comes to political issues... For example, I know nothing about foreign relations, the stock market, oil prices, global warming, etc. etc.
One thing I do know about that the government controls... the price of college education.
Here is what http://www.barackobama.com/index.php has to say about Obama's plan for college education...
* Create the American Opportunity Tax Credit: Obama will make college affordable for all Americans by creating a new American Opportunity Tax Credit. This universal and fully refundable credit will ensure that the first $4,000 of a college education is completely free for most Americans, and will cover two-thirds the cost of tuition at the average public college or university and make community college tuition completely free for most students. Obama will also ensure that the tax credit is available to families at the time of enrollment by using prior year's tax data to deliver the credit when tuition is due.
* Simplify the Application Process for Financial Aid: Obama will streamline the financial aid process by eliminating the current federal financial aid application and enabling families to apply simply by checking a box on their tax form, authorizing their tax information to be used, and eliminating the need for a separate application.
And here is what http://www.johnmccain.com/ says about John McCain's plan for education in general...
Excellence, Choice, and Competition
in American Education
John McCain believes American education must be worthy of the promise we make to our children and ourselves. He understands that we are a nation committed to equal opportunity, and there is no equal opportunity without equal access to excellent education.
Public education should be defined as one in which our public support for a child's education follows that child into the school the parent chooses. The school is charged with the responsibility of educating the child, and must have the resources and management authority to deliver on that responsibility. They must also report to the parents and the public on their progress.
The deplorable status of preparation for our children, particularly in comparison with the rest of the industrialized world, does not allow us the luxury of eliminating options in our educational repertoire. John McCain will fight for the ability of all students to have access to all schools of demonstrated excellence, including their own homes.
No Child Left Behind has focused our attention on the realities of how students perform against a common standard. John McCain believes that we can no longer accept low standards for some students and high standards for others. In this age of honest reporting, we finally see what is happening to students who were previously invisible. While that is progress all its own, it compels us to seek and find solutions to the dismal facts before us.
John McCain believes our schools can and should compete to be the most innovative, flexible and student-centered - not safe havens for the uninspired and unaccountable. He believes we should let them compete for the most effective, character-building teachers, hire them, and reward them.
If a school will not change, the students should be able to change schools. John McCain believes parents should be empowered with school choice to send their children to the school that can best educate them just as many members of Congress do with their own children. He finds it beyond hypocritical that many of those who would refuse to allow public school parents to choose their child's school would never agree to force their own children into a school that did not work or was unsafe. They can make another choice. John McCain believes that is a fundamental and essential right we should honor for all parents.
As president, John McCain will pursue reforms that address the underlying cultural problems in our education system - a system that still seeks to avoid genuine accountability and responsibility for producing well-educated children.
John McCain will place parents and children at the center of the education process, empowering parents by greatly expanding the ability of parents to choose among schools for their children. He believes all federal financial support must be predicated on providing parents the ability to move their children, and the dollars associated with them, from failing schools.
The one thing that both of these ideas fail to mention is the fact that MIDDLE CLASS COLLEGE STUDENTS ARE HAVING SO MUCH TROUBLE PAYING FOR SCHOOL.
From my own personal life experience, I've seen so many middle class kids (from upper middle class to lower) who have had to drop out of school for a semester, quarter, or even a year, because they don't have the means to pay for their education.
Whether it be because their parents won't/can't help them, because they accumulated too much debt, or weren't able to receive enough financial aid, because their parents made too much to get aid, but too little to pay for all the expenses involved... I've seen it all.
I haven't decided who I'm voting for yet, but I think that this is a huge issue... because the middle class college student population is one that is really being targeted in the upcoming election I feel like... and I am really surprised that this hasn't even been touched upon by McCain, and that Obama's plan seems more like it will only help lower class (no offense to anyone who IS lower class, I think that they need the financial help too of course).
Okay, this turned into a huge rant... but here's my point.
.
We all know college is too expensive.
The demographic of middle class college students is one that is being focused on big time.
McCain wants us to vote for him.
Obama wants us to vote for him.
Neither have a plan to help us with our college expenses.
What are we going to do about it?
I am the least knowledgeable person you will ever meet when it comes to political issues... For example, I know nothing about foreign relations, the stock market, oil prices, global warming, etc. etc.
One thing I do know about that the government controls... the price of college education.
Here is what http://www.barackobama.com/index.php has to say about Obama's plan for college education...
Quoted Text
Higher Education* Create the American Opportunity Tax Credit: Obama will make college affordable for all Americans by creating a new American Opportunity Tax Credit. This universal and fully refundable credit will ensure that the first $4,000 of a college education is completely free for most Americans, and will cover two-thirds the cost of tuition at the average public college or university and make community college tuition completely free for most students. Obama will also ensure that the tax credit is available to families at the time of enrollment by using prior year's tax data to deliver the credit when tuition is due.
* Simplify the Application Process for Financial Aid: Obama will streamline the financial aid process by eliminating the current federal financial aid application and enabling families to apply simply by checking a box on their tax form, authorizing their tax information to be used, and eliminating the need for a separate application.
And here is what http://www.johnmccain.com/ says about John McCain's plan for education in general...
Quoted Text
EducationExcellence, Choice, and Competition
in American Education
John McCain believes American education must be worthy of the promise we make to our children and ourselves. He understands that we are a nation committed to equal opportunity, and there is no equal opportunity without equal access to excellent education.
Public education should be defined as one in which our public support for a child's education follows that child into the school the parent chooses. The school is charged with the responsibility of educating the child, and must have the resources and management authority to deliver on that responsibility. They must also report to the parents and the public on their progress.
The deplorable status of preparation for our children, particularly in comparison with the rest of the industrialized world, does not allow us the luxury of eliminating options in our educational repertoire. John McCain will fight for the ability of all students to have access to all schools of demonstrated excellence, including their own homes.
No Child Left Behind has focused our attention on the realities of how students perform against a common standard. John McCain believes that we can no longer accept low standards for some students and high standards for others. In this age of honest reporting, we finally see what is happening to students who were previously invisible. While that is progress all its own, it compels us to seek and find solutions to the dismal facts before us.
John McCain believes our schools can and should compete to be the most innovative, flexible and student-centered - not safe havens for the uninspired and unaccountable. He believes we should let them compete for the most effective, character-building teachers, hire them, and reward them.
If a school will not change, the students should be able to change schools. John McCain believes parents should be empowered with school choice to send their children to the school that can best educate them just as many members of Congress do with their own children. He finds it beyond hypocritical that many of those who would refuse to allow public school parents to choose their child's school would never agree to force their own children into a school that did not work or was unsafe. They can make another choice. John McCain believes that is a fundamental and essential right we should honor for all parents.
As president, John McCain will pursue reforms that address the underlying cultural problems in our education system - a system that still seeks to avoid genuine accountability and responsibility for producing well-educated children.
John McCain will place parents and children at the center of the education process, empowering parents by greatly expanding the ability of parents to choose among schools for their children. He believes all federal financial support must be predicated on providing parents the ability to move their children, and the dollars associated with them, from failing schools.
The one thing that both of these ideas fail to mention is the fact that MIDDLE CLASS COLLEGE STUDENTS ARE HAVING SO MUCH TROUBLE PAYING FOR SCHOOL.
From my own personal life experience, I've seen so many middle class kids (from upper middle class to lower) who have had to drop out of school for a semester, quarter, or even a year, because they don't have the means to pay for their education.
Whether it be because their parents won't/can't help them, because they accumulated too much debt, or weren't able to receive enough financial aid, because their parents made too much to get aid, but too little to pay for all the expenses involved... I've seen it all.
I haven't decided who I'm voting for yet, but I think that this is a huge issue... because the middle class college student population is one that is really being targeted in the upcoming election I feel like... and I am really surprised that this hasn't even been touched upon by McCain, and that Obama's plan seems more like it will only help lower class (no offense to anyone who IS lower class, I think that they need the financial help too of course).
Okay, this turned into a huge rant... but here's my point.
.
We all know college is too expensive.
The demographic of middle class college students is one that is being focused on big time.
McCain wants us to vote for him.
Obama wants us to vote for him.
Neither have a plan to help us with our college expenses.
What are we going to do about it?
| |
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Lump Sum
I'm absolutely obsessed with Bon Iver right now... If you haven't heard him, you must. Thanks to this person's playlist... you can hear all the good stuff online.
I have a new romantic interest... and everyone adores him... including me... I'm so excited and scared and nervous and happy right now...
I have a new romantic interest... and everyone adores him... including me... I'm so excited and scared and nervous and happy right now...
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
A Soft Hum
In case you can't read that tiny writing... it says "I'm ready to lose everything, because I've found the people worth failing with."
This is like the fourth time I've looked at this postsecret secret... it brings tears to my eyes every time I look at it.
But I wouldn't ever want something like this to be a secret for me. I would want the most important people in my life to know that they are worth failing with... and that my group of friends... we all screw up... we do stupid things when we're drunk... make poor life decisions... run out of cash... piss each other off... but at the end of the day we're all still there for one another.
My friends have inspired me to be myself, to be unapologetic for my flaws, and to put other people before myself.
I can't begin to thank you all. I love you.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Worth the Wait
I am sunburnt. Just my arms and face... but it hurts and itches and I'm very unhappy about it.
A couple of my girls are getting summer dresses on and causing a ruckus tonight.
I was riding home from my Grandma's house today... and listening to some great music... and just thinking about different things while watching the scenery out the window... I love doing that.
I always come up with random parts and pieces of a poem I really want to write and that I think will be really genius if I can just figure out the rest of the damn thing.
I need to just go somewhere and write one of these days, because I have a brain block at my house... I think that my house is cursed... I can't write anything worthwhile here, and I can't sleep when I have to sleep alone in my bed... I really have gotten used to the comfort of sleeping in a dorm with hundreds of other people far above the ground level... I'm just having the English major writing block of the century here.
My friend called me today. She needed advice about guys... I'm not really that great with that kind of advice, but I did the best I could... and I just realized once I got off the phone... that I absolutely LOVE to help my friends... even if all I can do is really listen to them... I know that no matter what I have this core group of beautiful, fabulous, smart, and loyal girls that will always be there when I need them... even when I go back to school in the fall and they're hours away.
Here, I'm gonna mix some of the excerpts up that I came up with today... let's see what happens.
This poem is called... "We Own the Summer"
I am
the sugar in your black coffee
melting into your arms,
making you sweeter.
You are
the heartbeat under my hand
when I'm afraid
to close my eyes.
You attempt
not to get sand in your shoes,
and I try
not to bend the blades of grass
with every step.
We are
two trees together but alone
in a field, roots
entwined underneath.
Brushing branches and leaves
with every breeze.
We own the sun,
that peeks red
over the horizon
and turns red
our pale skin.
Haha... well, what do you think? I think my writer's block might be gone!
A couple of my girls are getting summer dresses on and causing a ruckus tonight.
I was riding home from my Grandma's house today... and listening to some great music... and just thinking about different things while watching the scenery out the window... I love doing that.
I always come up with random parts and pieces of a poem I really want to write and that I think will be really genius if I can just figure out the rest of the damn thing.
I need to just go somewhere and write one of these days, because I have a brain block at my house... I think that my house is cursed... I can't write anything worthwhile here, and I can't sleep when I have to sleep alone in my bed... I really have gotten used to the comfort of sleeping in a dorm with hundreds of other people far above the ground level... I'm just having the English major writing block of the century here.
My friend called me today. She needed advice about guys... I'm not really that great with that kind of advice, but I did the best I could... and I just realized once I got off the phone... that I absolutely LOVE to help my friends... even if all I can do is really listen to them... I know that no matter what I have this core group of beautiful, fabulous, smart, and loyal girls that will always be there when I need them... even when I go back to school in the fall and they're hours away.
Here, I'm gonna mix some of the excerpts up that I came up with today... let's see what happens.
This poem is called... "We Own the Summer"
I am
the sugar in your black coffee
melting into your arms,
making you sweeter.
You are
the heartbeat under my hand
when I'm afraid
to close my eyes.
You attempt
not to get sand in your shoes,
and I try
not to bend the blades of grass
with every step.
We are
two trees together but alone
in a field, roots
entwined underneath.
Brushing branches and leaves
with every breeze.
We own the sun,
that peeks red
over the horizon
and turns red
our pale skin.
Haha... well, what do you think? I think my writer's block might be gone!
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Loveology
I had my first real date in at least a year tonight.
I was hoping it would be amazing.
It exceeded my expectations by a zillion.
I'm now listening to a fabulous new playlist I've put together that describes how I feel but also has inside meaning... it includes some awesome songs that you know I'm going to tell you to check out. I'm not going to tell you that Something Corporate is on the playlist, because normally I do not condone their emotional content... but the guy I went on this date with heard me playing one of their songs on piano... and that's what made him really interested in me... what have I been saying this whole time? I need to find a guy that appreciates my music... not the music I like... MY music.
Worth the Wait by The Age of Rockets
Falling All Over the World by Jason Mraz
Sun by Mae
Loveology by Regina Spektor
Closer by Ne-Yo
Have you been doing your daily freerice? I haven't been... since the laptop crapped out, I've lost all my bookmarks... and only really visited facebook... the weather channel... and my e-mail. But I just went today and played with a little vocabulary words.
Also... Fool's Gold... good movie... lol. I watched it this morning.
I was hoping it would be amazing.
It exceeded my expectations by a zillion.
I'm now listening to a fabulous new playlist I've put together that describes how I feel but also has inside meaning... it includes some awesome songs that you know I'm going to tell you to check out. I'm not going to tell you that Something Corporate is on the playlist, because normally I do not condone their emotional content... but the guy I went on this date with heard me playing one of their songs on piano... and that's what made him really interested in me... what have I been saying this whole time? I need to find a guy that appreciates my music... not the music I like... MY music.
Worth the Wait by The Age of Rockets
Falling All Over the World by Jason Mraz
Sun by Mae
Loveology by Regina Spektor
Closer by Ne-Yo
Have you been doing your daily freerice? I haven't been... since the laptop crapped out, I've lost all my bookmarks... and only really visited facebook... the weather channel... and my e-mail. But I just went today and played with a little vocabulary words.
Also... Fool's Gold... good movie... lol. I watched it this morning.
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