Things

Found this from my creative writing class senior year (2004).

Things to tell a younger me or for an older me to remember.


"11 December 2003

Period 5


Live life. Don’t hold anything back, and have faith in what you believe. Never back down against anyone else or give in your ideals for them. Keep an open mind regarding anything that may come into your life. Don’t discredit something simply because you don’t understand it. Treat others in the manner in which you wish to be treated, and don’t let people get to you. Their opinions and words don’t mean a thing. All that does matter is how you feel about yourself. Be courteous and generous, even if the favor is not well received. Keeping your values in a world where there are none is worth as much as a thousand thank-yous, but don’t stop giving them out yourself, either. Don’t hold anything back, even if you don’t like where you think it may lead you. In the end, the journey and destination will be worth any pain. Take risks. Caution is best exercised in moderation like anything else, and being too careful will seal you up by yourself. Never desire to be alone. Despite what many may advocate, to love and to be loved is a greater gift than anything material anyone could ever give you. Most importantly, always follow your heart no matter where it leads you. It knows you better than anyone else and will never steer you wrong."

How I Will Meet My Soulmate (According to Buzzfeed)

Totally reminds me of Pokeshipping.

 #SorryNotSorry

Mockingjay Parts 1 & 2

Here's where I think they will and should split Mockingjay into two movies. Because I just want to put it out there.

First of all, the director Francis Lawrence said in an interview that a big part of the first movie is getting Peeta back. Some think they should end the movie when he and Katniss are reunited and then he promptly tries to kill her. Fade to black. End Part One.

I don't think this is a good place because it is a cliffhanger of the same caliber as Catching Fire, and I really do not think they would do that twice in a row. It might be good for the ones who read the books because we know why he did that and that she is physically (but definitely not emotionally) okay. For a general audience, this would force them to wait a year to find out what happened, which they already had to do between CF and Part 1.

Some other folks out there have then said that they should end it at the Nut scene where they blow the place up, finally getting the last district on the rebel side. This could work because Part 2 would then be all about the Capital invasion, which is a solid plotline on its own. However, this is yet another part of the book where Katniss gets hurt: when that soldier she is speaking to and asking to join their side ends up shooting her. This would be yet another cliffhanger. Also, I checked on IMDB, and the actress Gwendoline Christie, who is playing Commander Lyme, is only listed in the credits for Part 2. In fact, all of the extras listed are from District 13 or 8. Not one is from 2, where the Nut scene takes place. So it seems unlikely it would end here just based on that.

So where do I think they will split? I think it will happen when she comes to her conclusion that Peeta is gone and never coming back to her the way he was. In the book, she tells them she can't be there anymore in 13 with him like that. They won't allow her into the Capital yet, so they let her go on the mission to 2 to try and bring the last district to the rebel's side. If it ends here, they have met that goal of getting Peeta back without it being a cliffy. Also, it will lead nicely into the last part as a true war movie with the goal to win the thing and get rid of the bad guys.

Yeah, I thought too much about this. Just my opinion although I do hope it ends there.

He

Would you please take me away from this place?
I cannot bear to see the look upon your faces
And if there is some kind of God, do you think He's pleased?
When He looks down on us I wonder what He sees

Do you think He'd think the things we do are a waste of time?
Maybe He'd think that we are getting on just fine
Do you think He's skint or financially secure?
And come election time, I wonder who He'd vote for

Ever since He can remember

People have died in His good name
Long before that September
Long before hijacking planes

He's lost the will, He can't decide
He doesn't know who's right or wrong
But there's one thing that He's sure of
This has been going on too long

Do you think He'd drive in his car without insurance?
Now is He interesting or do you think He'd bore us?
Do you think His favorite type of human is Caucasian?
Do you reckon He's ever been done for tax evasion?

Do you think He's any good at remembering people's names?
Do you think He's ever taken smack or cocaine?
I don't imagine He's ever been suicidal
His favorite band is Creedence Clearwater Revival

Ever since He can remember

People have died in His good name
Long before that September
Long before hijacking planes

He's lost the will, He can't decide
He doesn't know who's right or wrong
But there's one thing that He's sure of
This has been going on too long

Ever since He can remember
People have died in His good name
Long before that September
Long before hijacking planes

He's lost the will, He can't decide
He doesn't know who's right or wrong
But there's one thing that He's sure of
This has been going on too long

Nature

The breeze whispers in my ear

A silent tale that none can hear

And the sun reclining in the sky

Watches different passers-by

Dried up leaves upon the floor

Are trampled loudly, nothing more

While water streams by a fallen log

The brush is dense and thick like fog

Let all who come here stop and behold

The one called Nature, Her glory foretold

And look ahead at no other reason

For the days and for the seasons

Just open your eyes so you can see

Her power, Her presence, and Her beauty

-1:01 a.m. 9/3/07

-Revised 9:21 p.m. 9/9/07

Poverty Rant

This is so true. I am part time and am guaranteed only 16 hours per week per my union contract based on my classification. Luckily I have been gifted more hours because of a change in ownership and a rise in sales at my particular store. However, even if I was at my old class, I would still only be guaranteed 24 hours. My wages then would be $10.05, which took me over five years to earn as opposed to $8.30, which I topped out at almost right away. Yeah, I chose to step down for my own reasons, but still. I started my job when I was just out of high school. I kept it through college until now, three years after I graduated with my second degree, making it total of nine-plus years.

My point is, when I started, my job was primarily held by high school and college students. Now, my position and other low-wage, entry level jobs are held by folks who used to have a good career. Now they are left with nothing else but a min wage position (or two or three) because they will do what ever they can to support themselves and their families.

So to sit there and think that all people who are forced to live in poverty somehow asked for it and deserve it is just damn ignorant. I am well-educated with an AA and BS but still keep my barely-above min wage job plus all of my experience in it because I have no other real options (at least none that guarantee a weekly paycheck, which I need to pay the credit bills I racked up supporting me, my mom, and brother while we had only my measly income). This is my first week of vacation since 2011, only because I have a tax return coming and can spend part of it on things that are not bills or food.

I am lucky. I have other family to help with some bills, and I am pursuing my teaching credential to teach life science/biology while I maintain my union yet min wage job. I have an out, which I am working towards. But just because I have hopes and dreams and hopefully reachable goals about my future, I am a minority. And that does not mean anyone else deserves to live in poverty and be shamed for asking for the help that we as a responsible society used to provide no strings attached.

A minimum wage job at full time in this state and this country means the earner is in poverty. Anything less and they are screwed. Most of these people work hard and only want to take care of themselves and their families. They don't want to have to need anyone or thing else. But they do. And there is nothing wrong with that or with wanting to change it so no one has to feel that away.

But tell that to all of us "takers" and moan when we try to make the "makers" abide by the tax code and pay what they owe. When Google pays their income taxes...nevermind. Nothing I or my friends and family can do will ever amount to the fraud they get away with and are often rewarded for. So I guess this is just disjointed and angry and irritated that all most folks want is fairness but are painted as lazy and stupid.

As another image said, even if everyone went to college and earned a degree, someone would still need to make our pizzas, drive our taxis, etc. Stop looking down on them like they deserve to be poor. Because no human being who works or wants to work should, even if they cannot for disability reasons, be made to feel that way ever.

We need to care for each other. I'm an atheist, but didn't Christ basically teach that same ideal?

Random WTF

So...one last blog before bedtime.

A month or so ago, I was at work making a cardboard bale when I lost the charm on my necklace. I looked everywhere for it and did not find it before I went home. Cue eight hours later after pizza night and a commute home and I find it in my bra. It even left an imprint on my right boob. How the flick did I not notice???

So cue to now, when I decided to watch a Conan interview of Jennifer Lawrence from November 2013. I pick up my blankie (the stringy remains of my blanket that I've had since toddler-hood). Then I drop it, and it goes missing. I spend the next few minutes looking for it super confused as to where the frack it could have gone.

What does it have in common with my necklace?

Twas in my bra. Just now. Should go to bed soon.

Peace.