Watch this. It's beautiful. I cried... Yeah, I cried.

It is so well done; touching and classy. I wish I could force every American to watch the whole thing. I want to be a leader like this.

Sick

There is nothing more awful to me than being sick.  All you can do is sit around and feel terrible.  I hate being sick! 

VH1 Celeb Reality

Celeb Rehab!

Oh thank you Dr. Drew for bringing more celebrities together to show how crazy the road to recovery is.  This season should be great now that Gary Busey is participating.  I can't wait until the day where I am so bored that all I will do is watch marathons of withdrawing coke heads yelling and screaming each other! 

The Pickup Artist 2

I am new to this program, but after watching the first two episodes it is pretty entertaining to watch socially awkward guys trying to talk to girls.  

I <3 The Weepies

I am so thankful I got introduced to The Weepies. I love their music. My favorite songs from their three albums are (in no specific order):

Take It From Me- Say I Am You
Gotta Have You- Say I Am You
Nobody Knows Me at All- Say I Am You

Somebody Loved- Happiness

Hideaway- Hideaway
Orbiting- Hideaway
Takes So Long- Hideaway

What's sad is I could probably write down all the songs from their three albums (minus one that comes to mind), because I love them so much.

Restless

Restless

: A state of emotional agitation

: With music

: With life

: Without you

Apathy

: Absence of emotion or enthusiasm

: With music

: With life

: Without you

Currently listening to: Nobody Knows me at All by The Weepies

I miss you

It really is my day of rest

I don't exactly have anything I want to talk about. But, it has been my typical Sunday. I finally got out of bed at 12:30 to go to the bathroom to then hop back into bed until 1:00. I did have some good music listening sessions thanks to Chris and the music he dumped into my iTunes. I watched some mindless television on my computer. Then I watched k9 cops attack criminals on Animal Planet with my roommates. Curled back in bed to write a paper later and then wandered off to the gym. Once I got home to some new cupcakes on the counter I demolished any progress I made at the gym with some halloween decorated yummy goodness. I caught up on my weekly dose of Post Secret and now I find myself bored and not willing to continue on my domestic drilling policy paper. So, I think I will continue to do nothing to complete my nothingness of a day. I love Sundays.

Currently Listening to: Empire State by Guster

For the Bible Tells Me So

Forthebibletellsmeso.org

I watched this movie in class today. Not only was it one of the most thought-provoking films I have seen, it really called me to question my thoughts on homosexuality and religion. Religion in America and homosexuality are both topics I like learning about. They are equally very controversial to our society.

In the hour and twenty minutes that this movie ran, I managed to scribble down a page of notes I thought to be interesting. Most of my thoughts are not fully investigated, but maybe I can piece them together enough to get you to watch the film.

- Prejudice was born in the church. The church is an institution where people of power (white males) have used the Bible as a source of oppression to "other" groups. Other groups in the past have been African-Americans and women. Now the "other" group is homosexuals.

- Hatred of homosexuals could also stem from the long belief that women are inferior to males. Typically it is generalized that men are more feminine if they are gay and their masculinity is lost. Feminine men are thought of as a bad thing in our culture. Lately this has not been looked upon as so bad, but in the past gay men were stereotyped as acting transsexual.

- The Bible has been taken too literally on its stance on homosexuality. Right-winged Christians claim the Bible addressed the issue of homosexuality 6-7 times. Now, I am not a Bible expert, but from what I have read of these 6-7 passages doesn't blatantly discuss homosexuality at all. Sodom and Gamorrah has so many ambiquities and translations that it would be jumping to conclusions to think it was about punishing homosexuality.

- In the Bible there is a theme of take what you have and give it to the poor. Obviously, people don't take this passage too literally, so why do they exploit the more ambiguous ones to subordinate gays/lesbians/bisexuals/transgendered?


- Bible literalists are typically capitalists who use there conservative believes to make money off the Bible (politicians).

- Humans are not the only species who have homosexuals. Lions, sheep, zebras, among thousands of other animals have same sex relationships.


- The oppression of homosexuals has caused suicide rates to be three to seven times higher than that of heterosexual individuals. This rate continues to climb. Every five hours one homosexual successfully commits suicide.

- Bible literalists claim being a homosexual results in "abomination." Eating shrimp, having two seeds in one hole, working on sabbath, wearing linen and wool simultaineously also causes "abomination." Would people be criticized, terrorized, and feared for doing any of these other acts?

- When people say "This is what the Bible says," respond back, "No, that is what the Bible reads." There is a big difference.

I might develop this idea later. In the meantime, be bewildered with me.

I am going to stop believing in cliches. I am finding most of them are coming true and I am not one who likes to have predetermined advice. But then like most cliches, that cliche is untrue.

The worst part about Oregon winters

I despise the rain. I can't bear the cold. I don't like feeling numb. I can't stand when my hands turn purple. I get annoyed when I have goosebumps. But, the thing I hate the most about Oregon winters is when my jeans are wet at the bottom.

Lack of _____

Today has quickly passed me by. I woke up at 6:50 to go get tickets to the next Oregon State football game, but upon return crawled back in bed until noon. Nothing possessed me to get out of bed. I just wanted to lay there, not think, and let any negative thoughts be suppressed by me dosing in and out. So, I did. I got the ambition to go to my 2 p.m. class, but that has been the only ambition I have felt today. I keep thinking, when am I going to snap out of it? Am I ever? Restless, hopeless, lonely, anxious, scared... adjectives to describe me for the day. But, I figure they don't just describe me today. They come and go as they please. They are usually proceeded by a great weekend. I had a great weekend.

The "Bailout Plan" that will pass Congress!

I read this from another blog. I thought it was really entertaining and should be shared this the minimal people I impact:

Hi Pals,

I'm against the $85,000,000, 000.00 bailout of AIG.
Instead, I'm in favor of giving $85,000,000, 000 to America in a 'We Deserve It' Dividend.
To make the math simple, let's assume there are 200,000,000 bonafide U.S. Citizens 18+.
Our population is about 301,000,000 +/- counting every man, woman and child. So 200,000,000 might be a fair stab at adults 18 and up…
So divide 200 million adults 18+ into $85 billion that equals $425,000.00.
My plan is to give $425,000 to every person 18+ as a We Deserve It Dividend.

Of course, it would NOT be tax free.
So let's assume a tax rate of 30%.
Every individual 18+ has to pay $127,500.00 in taxes.
That sends $25,500,000, 000 right back to Uncle Sam.
But it means that every adult 18+ has $297,500.00 in their pocket.
A husband and wife has $595,000.00.


What would you do with $297,500.00 to $595,000.00 in your family?
Pay off your mortgage - housing crisis solved.
Repay college loans - what a great boost to new grads.
Put away money for college - it'll be there.
Save in a bank - create money to loan to entrepreneurs.
Buy a new car or other product - create jobs.
Invest in the market - capital drives growth.
Pay for your parent's medical insurance - health care improves.
Enable Deadbeat Dads to come clean - or else.

Remember this is for every adult U S Citizen 18+ including the folks who lost their jobs at Lehman Brothers and every other company that is cutting back. And of course, for those serving in our Armed Forces.

If we're going to re-distribute wealth let's really do it...instead of trickling out a puny $1000.00 ('vote buy') economic incentive that is being proposed by one of our candidates for President.
If we're going to do an $85 billion bailout, let's bail out every adult U S Citizen 18+!

As for AIG - liquidate it.
Sell off its parts.
Let American General go back to being American General.
Sell off the real estate.
Let the private sector bargain hunters cut it up and clean it up.

Here's my rationale. We deserve it and AIG doesn't.
Sure it's a crazy idea that can 'never work.'
But can you imagine the Coast-To-Coast Block Party!?
How do you spell Economic Boom?
I trust my fellow adult Americans to know how to use the $85 Billion 'We Deserve It Dividend' more than I do the geniuses at AIG or in Washington DC.


And remember, The Birk plan only really costs $59.5 Billion because $25.5 Billion is returned instantly in taxes to Uncle Sam.
Ahhh...I feel so much better getting that off my chest.

Who needs soap operas when you can be the drama?

I got a glimpse of myself today running errands. First, I went to The Book Bin in search for the next book I want to read during my daily workouts. After feeling that I wasn't going to find my next book at The Book Bin I proceeded to Borders. At Borders I searched aimlessly for a title that appealed to me. After about thirty minutes I came to the conclusion that I must have a sort of disorder. You know, one where no book sounds like it could hold your interest for two pages? That must be a disorder, in my mind. I then gave myself the ultimatum. Choose a book now. The pressure got to me in about two minutes of frantically trying to find anything quickly. Following my brief panic attack I went with the more logically approach of resorting to sections of books that I have finished in the past year. I hit up the business section, the psychology section, and all the display "Fall Must Reads." Nothing. My depression started to set in. "What is wrong with me?" Then my anxiety, "How can I ever make a career decision if I can't even find a book that sounds interesting?" Slippery slope. After fighting negative thoughts, I thought, "Why isn't their a book that is written that is describing exactly how I feel right now?" I mean, don't people go through mini-melodramas at the bookstore like I am right now? Don't people question their life uncertainties and insecurities in the fiction isle? Don't people ever feel lost or claustrophobic in their brain and nothing seems to mask the symptoms? I guess not. If there is a book written about that please let me know. In the meantime, back to the bookstore. I was getting to the point of leaving with the intention of going home, researching books and then returning at a later time. It wasn't what I wanted to do, I wanted to find a book, but it was one of two alternatives that came to mind. The other was to contact someone and ask him for advice on what book I should buy. In hindsight I knew I wasn't going to get a recommendation. I know I need to find the book on my own. So, I turned down all of his grateful opinions and suggestions. They didn't seem right for me. I know me. My mind and body were getting exhausted. I would like to add I have had a long day prior to this, so that me becoming tired is not so dumb sounding to you. As I was headed for the door a book made its way to my eyes. The title I didn't care about, but the description of, "From the author of" did. I remembered seeing this author before. I went to the section to find a book he had written before and opened the foreword. I did not find the book I was hoping on my trip to the bookstore. I can't say for sure, because I haven't read it yet. But, I did find a book that seems to be as analytical and overanalyzing as me. The book is called, "Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs." I'll let you know if I ever finish it. But, the bookstore did become like a tell-all book for me. I am on a quest to always find the perfect fit, the perfect future, the perfect balance of uniqueness and practicality. When I can't find it I become scared, hopeless, and self-defeating. I am going through my life so bound and determined to be great that I have become so afraid to fail to find what exactly I want to be great at.

Cold War Kids

Last night I went to the Cold War Kids concert at the Wonder Ballroom. Here are some pics:

"I'm excited. I promise."

Another year of school is about to start. I can't really claim it is my senior year since I will have to take at least one more term after it, but I guess there is nothing wrong with the five year plan. Except for I think I did something wrong to be on the five year plan. Oh yeah, thats right, I transferred twice.

In June I was really excited to go to Oregon State. Now I tell people I am excited, because thats what people like to hear. Really I think I could care less what school I am at right now. I will be thankful that this school is less expensive than the last two though. My careless attitude needs to change and I am hoping it will once I get down to Corvallis. I really need to buckle down and study, but I tell myself that every year. I'm not saying I am a bad student or that I am not student material. But, I think my schedule is always filled with such BS classes that is hard for me to get motivated about Biology 101 or Energy and Environment Conservation when I am a fourth year business marketing major.

It will be nice to go to a school that views being social as a positive thing. For those of you who didn't get my reference, that was a knock on George Fox.

I am not a very in the moment person right now. I am much more of a forward, future, big picture thinker. Today instead of moving into my house, I worried about what I am going to do when I graduate. How I am going to get into a top-tier graduate school? Whether or not I need to go to grad school? How am I going to succeed? It helps that I have a lot of supportive people around me. But, they obviously don't feel my pressure. My brain goes a hundred miles an hour thinking/analyzing everything. I need to pause it for a while and try and focus on the day-to-day tasks.

One other predominant thing I have been thinking about lately is timing. Timing is so important in life. Job opportunities, friendships, among many other things all rely on perfect timing. Situations are so relative to where we are at in our lives. I definitely have a situationjavascript:void(0) in mind when bringing this topic up. But, I am not really ready to discuss it yet. The most I would speak on its behalf is to say that sometimes it really sucks moving farther away from people I value in life.

Which brings me to another topic. I think I need to make more of an effort this Fall to visit the Lucas'. I feel I am in need of their amazing mentoring.

This concludes my evening rant. :)

Seems a bit early...for Halloween

While having a discussion about Halloween costumes tonight, I decided maybe for the first time since I was ten I should have a good costume. I have been brainstorming and so far I have come up with an operation board (like the game), voodoo doll, or mail order bride. I think the ideas are clever enough for me to try and pull off.

Now I'm sad that thinking about Halloween means that it is Fall. :(

How is it fair...

For McCain to accuse Obama for being a celebrity when he made his running mate into one?  That's politics. 

Just about the funniest...

Thing I have ever seen on Youtube:

"Trading Spouses: I'm a God Warrior"

ENTJ

My Myer Briggs Personality Indicator Results:

Extrovert

Intuitive

Thinking

Judging

Other ENTJ are FDR, Nixon, Steve Jobs, Steve Martin, Jim Carey, and Sean Connery.

ENTJs are natural born leaders.  They live in a world of possibilities where they see all sorts of challenges to be surmounted, and they want to be the ones responsible for surmounting them.  They have a drive  for leadership, which is well-served by their quickness to grasp complexities, their ability to absorb a large amount of impersonal information, and their quick and decisive judgements.

ENTJs are very career- focused.  They generally see things from a long-range perspective.  They have no patience with inefficiency.  

ENTJs love to interact with people.