I don't know if I like Blogspot.
You can't search other blogs, you have to hit the "next blog" button. And the only blogs that button takes me to are sewing blogs, foreign blogs, stamp collecting blogs, and obnoxious, overly Christian blogs. Blogspot claims that the interests you put in on your profile will enable them to find similar blogs for you, but I just don't buy it. I never mentioned sewing or stamp collecting, and if putting "Christianity" in my interests leads to the nonsense I've seen, then I'm taking it off, because that's not AT ALL what I mean when I say that I'm interested in Christianity.
I have found a few worthwhile blogs, though. Today I came across the blog of a mother who lost her daughter just a few days after she was born. My heart just ached for her, but not because I know what she's going through. I can't imagine it, and that's the point - the depth of such a horrible feeling must be staggering. The closest thing to a child that I have is my goddaughter, and if anything ever happened to her, my world would dissolve. I can't imagine it being my own flesh and blood, and not being able to do a thing about it.
I also have found a few blogs that are journal-esque, I guess kind of like mine. I like reading about other people, even though I don't know them. Maybe that's weird, but whatever, I'll take it, since I knowmaybe two people that keep blogs. I think the difference between me and the "journal-esque" blogs is that I write more about what's on my mind and let that speak for itself, and not so much about what I do from day to day. My life really isn't that exciting. I work, watch TV with my boyfriend, eat, and sometimes I sleep. That really is my life, until school comes around... Then I go to school, study my ass off, eat, and fall asleep in front of the TV while my boyfriend watches. Although, I will be working every other weekend this school year...ARE YOU EXCITED YET??!
Ugh, work. It's complicated. I am thankful for my job, and I've gotten really good at it over the three years I've been there (holy cow, THREE YEARS...?). I really like the people that I work with, too. My bosses are some of the best men I know, and I have many good conversations with my fellow associates (except when I'm at the Minnetonka store, but we don't talk about that). But the CUSTOMERS - bahhhhh. It's not all of the customers, or even a majority of them...but there are a select few that just ruin your whole day. I've written about it on my Facebook page, so I'm not going to write about it again, but WOW...people can really be soulless sometimes. It makes you wonder how they got that way, and how you can avoid it.
Let's see, something exciting...my aunt Coleen and my cousin Nick are in town from Pittsburgh! I'm looking forward to chillin with them this evening and during my day off tomorrow. Fingers are crossed for a trip to the State Fair! :)
Until next time...
Jessie
26 August 2010
25 August 2010
This Whole Mosque Thing is Stupid.
So, it's finally happened - an innocent Muslim taxi driver in New York was stabbed. For being Muslim.
And it was bound to happen, what with all the hate-mongering that's been going on in light of the Ground Zero Mosque (that isn't at Ground Zero, nor is it really a mosque). One can only pray that it doesn't continue.
Here's a little Political Thought 101:
EMOTIONS DON'T MATTER. LAW MATTERS. LAW EXISTS TO KEEP THE PEOPLE'S EMOTIONS IN CHECK, AND EXERCISE JUSTICE IN A WAY THAT SENSITIVE EMOTIONS CAN'T.
And guess what? The law is on the side of Imam Rauf and this community center. They can build it. They SHOULD build it. They have all the more right to now that the Right-tards are getting violent (the exact thing they fear from the Muslims) and innocent Muslims are getting hurt. And yes, they ARE innocent.
September 11 sucked. It was a horrible thing to happen, and it should never be forgotten. But building a building nearby isn't going to detract from our memory of that day, nor is it going to deny its reality. If anything, it's an olive branch - a way for America to say, "Yep, we've been through some pretty horrible things, but for the sake of maintaining peace and everyone's rights, and proving to those that wanted to destroy us that we will NOT be destroyed, we're going to take the high road and allow everyone to exercise their rights, regardless of the emotional issues involved." It's also a way for Muslims to raise awareness of what they are really about - which is NOT terrorism and death to the infidels. That's like comparing Fred Phelps to Jesus.
If you don't like the law, leave. It's the First Amendment, which will be the LAST Amendment to be changed or repealed. And it happens to fall in favor of the Muslims, for once. Too fucking bad. Christians and Jews and everyone else take advantage of it all the time. It's either there for everyone, or there for no one. You can't pick and choose. And deciding that, because of special, sensitive, emotional circumstances, the law should not be followed - well that's just stupid.
And that's what this whole mosque thing is - it's STUPID. 70% of Americans are against it, huh? My ass. No one asked me my opinion. If 70% of America is that ignorant to the consequences of selective law enforcement, then there really is no hope for us.
And it was bound to happen, what with all the hate-mongering that's been going on in light of the Ground Zero Mosque (that isn't at Ground Zero, nor is it really a mosque). One can only pray that it doesn't continue.
Here's a little Political Thought 101:
EMOTIONS DON'T MATTER. LAW MATTERS. LAW EXISTS TO KEEP THE PEOPLE'S EMOTIONS IN CHECK, AND EXERCISE JUSTICE IN A WAY THAT SENSITIVE EMOTIONS CAN'T.
And guess what? The law is on the side of Imam Rauf and this community center. They can build it. They SHOULD build it. They have all the more right to now that the Right-tards are getting violent (the exact thing they fear from the Muslims) and innocent Muslims are getting hurt. And yes, they ARE innocent.
September 11 sucked. It was a horrible thing to happen, and it should never be forgotten. But building a building nearby isn't going to detract from our memory of that day, nor is it going to deny its reality. If anything, it's an olive branch - a way for America to say, "Yep, we've been through some pretty horrible things, but for the sake of maintaining peace and everyone's rights, and proving to those that wanted to destroy us that we will NOT be destroyed, we're going to take the high road and allow everyone to exercise their rights, regardless of the emotional issues involved." It's also a way for Muslims to raise awareness of what they are really about - which is NOT terrorism and death to the infidels. That's like comparing Fred Phelps to Jesus.
If you don't like the law, leave. It's the First Amendment, which will be the LAST Amendment to be changed or repealed. And it happens to fall in favor of the Muslims, for once. Too fucking bad. Christians and Jews and everyone else take advantage of it all the time. It's either there for everyone, or there for no one. You can't pick and choose. And deciding that, because of special, sensitive, emotional circumstances, the law should not be followed - well that's just stupid.
And that's what this whole mosque thing is - it's STUPID. 70% of Americans are against it, huh? My ass. No one asked me my opinion. If 70% of America is that ignorant to the consequences of selective law enforcement, then there really is no hope for us.
22 August 2010
On Recognition
"...oh, yeah, I used to know her!"
What a silly thing to say. "Used to know." You'd think you'd either know someone, or not. Once you meet someone, can you really "un-meet" them? I mean, sure, people change. Some change pretty drastically. But I've met a lot of people in my life, and even if I haven't seen them for ten years, I can usually recognize their faces, or sometimes their voices. I guess that's why it's hard for me to understand why people don't recognize me.
I started my shift half an hour ago, and several customers have come in; two of whom I knew from one past social circle or another - neither of whom recognized me. Granted, it's probably been at least a few years since I've seen either of these people, but I don't think I've changed that much since then... My hair changes once every three months or so, I don't wear glasses anymore, I guess my features have changed slightly since I'm 20 now and not 15, but do I really look that different?
I never knew either of these people very well - one was the mother of a girl who relentlessly made fun of me in elementary school, and the other was the mother of a girl I graduated with - but I did used to be on a first-name basis with both of them. When they walked in the store, I recognized each of them instantly, but there was no recognition toward me on their faces. I gave them what they needed and they were on their way, oblivious to the fact that this person, who they thought they didn't know, knew something about them, however small that something might be. I knew their names, how many children they had, where both of them lived (or at least where they used to live), and other bits of information that many people (particularly mothers) try to protect from people they don't know.
Fortunately for them, neither of them were rude to me - but what if they had been? I've had it happen before where someone I've met a long time ago comes in to the store, flips shit about something petty, and leaves, unaware that their integrity has just suffered a major blow. And that's the thing about it - they didn't even know it. They have no idea that I have a connection to them, one way or another, and who knows? One day that could totally come back to bite them in the ass.
I'm not saying that I'm a vengeful person, or the type who would act against someone who was rude to me if given the opportunity - but a lot of people are vengeful, and would do so! It makes me wonder who I've failed to recognize, and/or been rude to. The world is a stage, and everyone truly is watching.
---
And I can't say much for the song or its singer, but this guy makes me want to dance.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmKnQjBf8wM&feature=player_embedded#!
What a silly thing to say. "Used to know." You'd think you'd either know someone, or not. Once you meet someone, can you really "un-meet" them? I mean, sure, people change. Some change pretty drastically. But I've met a lot of people in my life, and even if I haven't seen them for ten years, I can usually recognize their faces, or sometimes their voices. I guess that's why it's hard for me to understand why people don't recognize me.
I started my shift half an hour ago, and several customers have come in; two of whom I knew from one past social circle or another - neither of whom recognized me. Granted, it's probably been at least a few years since I've seen either of these people, but I don't think I've changed that much since then... My hair changes once every three months or so, I don't wear glasses anymore, I guess my features have changed slightly since I'm 20 now and not 15, but do I really look that different?
I never knew either of these people very well - one was the mother of a girl who relentlessly made fun of me in elementary school, and the other was the mother of a girl I graduated with - but I did used to be on a first-name basis with both of them. When they walked in the store, I recognized each of them instantly, but there was no recognition toward me on their faces. I gave them what they needed and they were on their way, oblivious to the fact that this person, who they thought they didn't know, knew something about them, however small that something might be. I knew their names, how many children they had, where both of them lived (or at least where they used to live), and other bits of information that many people (particularly mothers) try to protect from people they don't know.
Fortunately for them, neither of them were rude to me - but what if they had been? I've had it happen before where someone I've met a long time ago comes in to the store, flips shit about something petty, and leaves, unaware that their integrity has just suffered a major blow. And that's the thing about it - they didn't even know it. They have no idea that I have a connection to them, one way or another, and who knows? One day that could totally come back to bite them in the ass.
I'm not saying that I'm a vengeful person, or the type who would act against someone who was rude to me if given the opportunity - but a lot of people are vengeful, and would do so! It makes me wonder who I've failed to recognize, and/or been rude to. The world is a stage, and everyone truly is watching.
---
And I can't say much for the song or its singer, but this guy makes me want to dance.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmKnQjBf8wM&feature=player_embedded#!
If you could talk to ANYONE in History...
If you could talk to anyone in history, who would it be?
I've been asked this so many times, and it seems that I come up with a different answer every time. Being a student of history, I've studied many fascinating people, and it's hard to narrow it down to just ONE person.
So here's my top ten.
Rameses II - because he was the most powerful of the pharaohs. He reigned for something like 65 years, which is over twice the expected lifespan of an Egyptian living back then, and during that time he oversaw some of the greatest feats produced by Ancient Egypt.
Peter the Great - because he embodies Russia, both past and present. He changed it forever. Russia should be named "Petrovia," in my opinion.
A murdered Jew of the Holocaust - because no one fully understands the journey of a Jew who was murdered in the gas chambers. Yes, there are survivors, but they have a different take on the Holocaust.
Napoleon - because he's the single most written about figure in history. Yes, more than Jesus.
Henry David Thoreau - because "Civil Disobedience" was the best thing I read all last year.
All of the Founding Fathers - mainly so I could find out once and for all their real opinions on issues like religion, abortion, and marriage, but also because I think they're a group of really awesome dudes.
Jesus - I like Jesus. For various reasons, I don't call myself a Christian, and even saying that I'm a "follower of Christ" makes certain implications that I don't like, but I guess it's close enough. It would be pretty sweet to meet him and get a direct quote on what he thinks of the world today.
John Lennon - for obvious reasons.
Socrates - because he basically founded philosophy. I'd have a good discussion with Socrates.
---
Who would you want to meet, and why?
I've been asked this so many times, and it seems that I come up with a different answer every time. Being a student of history, I've studied many fascinating people, and it's hard to narrow it down to just ONE person.
So here's my top ten.
Rameses II - because he was the most powerful of the pharaohs. He reigned for something like 65 years, which is over twice the expected lifespan of an Egyptian living back then, and during that time he oversaw some of the greatest feats produced by Ancient Egypt.
Peter the Great - because he embodies Russia, both past and present. He changed it forever. Russia should be named "Petrovia," in my opinion.
A murdered Jew of the Holocaust - because no one fully understands the journey of a Jew who was murdered in the gas chambers. Yes, there are survivors, but they have a different take on the Holocaust.
Napoleon - because he's the single most written about figure in history. Yes, more than Jesus.
Henry David Thoreau - because "Civil Disobedience" was the best thing I read all last year.
All of the Founding Fathers - mainly so I could find out once and for all their real opinions on issues like religion, abortion, and marriage, but also because I think they're a group of really awesome dudes.
Jesus - I like Jesus. For various reasons, I don't call myself a Christian, and even saying that I'm a "follower of Christ" makes certain implications that I don't like, but I guess it's close enough. It would be pretty sweet to meet him and get a direct quote on what he thinks of the world today.
John Lennon - for obvious reasons.
Socrates - because he basically founded philosophy. I'd have a good discussion with Socrates.
---
Who would you want to meet, and why?
18 August 2010
The Time Has Come.
"The time has come," the Walrus said, "to talk of many things..."
Personally, I think way too many people talk about way too many things. Hence, the reason I'm abandoning the Facebook ship - for a time, at least. Of course, my page is still activated, people can still tag me in photos, comment on my meaningless crap, and see the status updates that I will inevitably send from my cell phone...but I've ensured that I can't access Facebook, save for every once in a while. I have things I need to get done, and Facebook seems to take up a monstrous amount of time - time utterly wasted. I figured that, if I started a blog, it'd be a way for me to do more actual writing, and for people to still see what I'm up to, if they really care enough to read it. I bet most won't. And that's point. I'm sick of being exposed, and of everyone exposing themselves.
Why start a blog, then? Why expose myself at all? Well, that IS the thing about Facebook, isn't it - you can keep up with countless people without even trying. And that's nice. I like getting to know distant family members, old friends, and even my closest friends without necessarily having to talk to them all the time. Who has time for that? But, the "personal"-ness of Facebook has become, to me, impersonal. Everyone gets to know the "Facebook Jessie" and doesn't even think of the real one. Let's be real, 90% of what happens in my life doesn't end up on there. 90% of people might not want to know that 90% of my life, but they're the ones who won't be reading this blog. Limited exposure. Ahh. I can't say it will do much for me keeping up with other people, but I guess I just can't care about that right now. If you want me to know what you're up to, tell me! I've made it so that anyone can comment on anything, regardless of whether they have a Gmail/Blogger account - so if you post a comment on something that you want me to see, make sure that I can tell who you are.
And, obviously, I have a cell phone. And e-mail. Utilize those, as well.
I won't be posting every day, but there will be days where I post multiple things.This blog has no agenda - anything I post is just here because it's a part of my life. Papers I've written, notes I've taken, thoughts I've thunk - don't read into something that isn't there, because it's all just...here.
Peace, love, and all that...
-Jessie
Personally, I think way too many people talk about way too many things. Hence, the reason I'm abandoning the Facebook ship - for a time, at least. Of course, my page is still activated, people can still tag me in photos, comment on my meaningless crap, and see the status updates that I will inevitably send from my cell phone...but I've ensured that I can't access Facebook, save for every once in a while. I have things I need to get done, and Facebook seems to take up a monstrous amount of time - time utterly wasted. I figured that, if I started a blog, it'd be a way for me to do more actual writing, and for people to still see what I'm up to, if they really care enough to read it. I bet most won't. And that's point. I'm sick of being exposed, and of everyone exposing themselves.
Why start a blog, then? Why expose myself at all? Well, that IS the thing about Facebook, isn't it - you can keep up with countless people without even trying. And that's nice. I like getting to know distant family members, old friends, and even my closest friends without necessarily having to talk to them all the time. Who has time for that? But, the "personal"-ness of Facebook has become, to me, impersonal. Everyone gets to know the "Facebook Jessie" and doesn't even think of the real one. Let's be real, 90% of what happens in my life doesn't end up on there. 90% of people might not want to know that 90% of my life, but they're the ones who won't be reading this blog. Limited exposure. Ahh. I can't say it will do much for me keeping up with other people, but I guess I just can't care about that right now. If you want me to know what you're up to, tell me! I've made it so that anyone can comment on anything, regardless of whether they have a Gmail/Blogger account - so if you post a comment on something that you want me to see, make sure that I can tell who you are.
And, obviously, I have a cell phone. And e-mail. Utilize those, as well.
I won't be posting every day, but there will be days where I post multiple things.This blog has no agenda - anything I post is just here because it's a part of my life. Papers I've written, notes I've taken, thoughts I've thunk - don't read into something that isn't there, because it's all just...here.
Peace, love, and all that...
-Jessie
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