identity

I do not have time to be writing this. 

identity is important, and finding identity requires serious independence

fine, I'll tell you

I have decided, in order to spite my pride, to tell you why I feel so compelled to support Barack in the presidential election.

First, I can call him Barack in casual conversation. Everyone will know who I am talking about and best of all I won't be chastised for lack of respect. Barack and Kristopher are equals.

Not only can I say his name, but it is a freaking awesome name. Barack (trumpet fanfare), John (wait john who?). 

As I listen to the news or watch the commercials or read the website, I can sense that thing that

 causes us to buy pet rocks, chia pets (those were for the older crowd),

 tamugatchis, pokemon

 cards, crazy bones and the list goes on. 

Barack Obama is Cool in the most serious and influential meaning of the word. Change is attractive and as I heard one "pundit" say, he is "change incarnate." A senator, a black man, raise by his mother, and as before the list goes on. It has become so cool to dislike George W. Bush that it is even cooler to love his opposite.

Barack Obama just had what it took to be cool. He is attractive, his voice is mesmerizing, he is not a republican, and once again the list goes on. 

I cannot say with any certainty that the way I feel about Barack is secretly the main reason why other people support him, because even I have become pretty convinced of the words that I say in Barack's defense. I mean how can anyone truly make an informed decision about who they think the person that leads our country should be? We all come with so much bias about so many things. No wonder our country is so consistently split nearly half and half.

I can definitely come up with a believable, coherent and sensible argument as to why I will vote for Barack but truly, the biggest reason is because he is IN. So now what? 

I recently read a book about The Group Theatre and the 1930s, and it talked about how people within The Group were reading russian literature from the soviet union and ultimately it was out of curiosity and because the ideas were different. People like different when things seem so similar. Now for all of you fanatics out there don't get too caught on Russia, just look at

 how different it was.

There is, so I am told, a constant ebb and flow in the political ideals of our nation. We ebb a little one way and flow back the other after ebbing gets old or stops working. Perhaps we have flowed a bit too long and flowing has gotten old, has lost its cool-factor, its efficacy.

This past year one of my teachers mentioned a statistic (that I have been unable to find) that said most people don't leave the support of their parents until their late 20's. If this is true or a little bit true, then what affect does that have on those of us between 18 (voting age) and our late twenties (self sufficiency)? We probably have our health insurance paid for by mom and pop, we probably get help with the taxes from them, we might live with them, we might go to college courtesy of them, and so many of the concerns about which much of this upcoming elect

ion is based is stuff outside of a few people's understanding. This may be a provincial thought perhaps, but for some its got to be true. For me it is. 

So do I vote for cool, do I vote with my benefactors, do I attempt to be objective, do I vote at all?

I don't know (and according to CNN 7% of you feel the same way I do).

politics

I am going to write about politics here soon, so prepare.

wtf

At approximately 1:15 AM this morning, about 15 minutes ago, I decided to leave the confines of my room and venture out into the street. I proceeded to walk a few feet to the front of the neighborhood hotel. I noticed the sprinklers were on and I walked through them. Once up the stretch of grass and once back. I then proceeded to find a neighboring bench where I sat for no more than two minutes. I then ran as fast as I possibly could around my neighborhood, back to the front of my house and back into my room.

endinning

endinning - noun [en-DIN-ing] 

1. an act or circumstance of starting something that finished something else

The olympics marks quite an endinning, I mean now we've got the democratic national convention and college and other really important things.

The not so live Olympics

Dear NBC and it's Offiliates,

I am an avid fan of the olympics. I have been a fan since I was concious of what the olympics were and I look forward to them with great excitement and anticipation.

The 2008 Olympics have dissapointed me significantly thus far and we are only 3 days into the games. My frustration stems from the lack of truly live broadcasting. 

I live in Phoenix, Arizona and every evening the east coast gets to watch some of the most exciting sporting events at the olympics live. I am only 3 hours behind therefore if primetime begins at 8 on the east coast it would be 5 here. Why not just play them live here too instead of make me and my fellow west coasters watch a replay of some of the most exciting events. 

I am hurt and upset NBC. Very very upset. I will continue to watch the olympics because of my love for them, but you can be sure that I will be avoiding NBC at all costs after the games have finished.

Sincerely,

Olympic Lover

plans

today I received a letter in the post. It contained kind words and updates on life but there was one part that I do believe was the ultimate reason the letter was written. 

The part read as follows:

"I'm sure you'll do well, but sometimes the gods have other things in store for us, so don't beat yourself too badly when things don't happen as planned."

Last night and again today just because it was so amazing I watched the U.S.A. Men's 4X100M relay team beat the pompous French and totally demolish the previous world record. The interesting part about this is that the French told reporters that they were going to "smash" the U.S. team, and that was why they were at the Olympics. 

In the same way that the U.S. men took what the French team said and proved them wrong, so shall I take all of the consolations that I receive that things might not "happen as planned."

I am obviously not putting fame and fortune into my plans, but I am going to be an actor come hell or high water.

I want to be challenged by poverty, rejection and hard times. Then while I am being challenged and when the temptation is greatest to make new plans, I'll stick to mine and beat the French even though they may have a seemingly insurmountable lead.

This calls for knowing what my plans are and what they are not.

My plans are not to be happy, comfortable, or satisfied. My plans are to act, create lots of beautiful things, never stop learning, and love everyone.

I'm not scared to fail. I'm scared to drown, thus I leave the swimming to Mr. Phelps.

I could be a contenda!

I was using the restroom today and I realized that I have an unrealized ability for speed. I can't be 100% sure of this, but I am willing to do what it takes to prove this.

olympics 2012 here I come

i <3 mac

There is nothing like mac.

Cacti

My thoughts today center around Cacti. They're so neat and durable and resilient.

separation as solidification

"only time will tell" the old man said.

I think the old man is right. I mean he is old so if anyone knew it would be him.

I think this quote can find application for many of the people who will be transitioning from high school to college this fall (for many this august, for few september and those few are sad souls).

Only time will tell which relationships from high school really stick. But does that mean that if one doesn't it is less meaningful? Not sure.

What is wrong with a relationship from high school ending for a time, a season if you will, and then somehow by some chance beginning once more? 

I go through phases, I am told. Legos, yahoo email, xanga, science, eagles and Thoreau to name a few. Phases are more a good thing than a bad thing it seems to me. Because I can build some pretty sick lego stuff, write a pretty good email, talk about talons value the mornings etc. The difficulty is to perpetuate a phase as something permanent or in other words making it a habit, like respect.

I hope that those people who taught me about life in high school, the people who made me who I am are not a phase. I hope that I can make them a habit, not like cigarettes kind of habit  but like respect. I don't care how it manifests itself, email, phone call, meeting, whatever as long as I can watch them grow and they can do the same. I will make a list and then go beyond it. 

I can write checks incase you thought I couldn't.

I am currently nurturing my kid-artist. 

The olympics begin friday, I have decided to support the U.S.A. in all events instead of picking and choosing my countries. Its too hot around here to do that.

I read about zen today, maybe that will explain.

jeepers I love to write and jeepers I feel bad that you are reading it but not really.

kiss kiss bang bang WM

Absolutely fantastic, characters (especially Robert Downey Jr.'s character) were very compelling and the strangeness of the plot and conventions of the film were hilarious and genius simultaneously.

songs

oftentimes I put a song on repeat and listen in and out for hours at a time.

kings (a poem)

thinking while I'm sleeping

i think they call it dreaming

kings just don't know and neither do I

kings don't think but I think of kings that just and don't

so just dont go too soon

WM: Stranger than Fiction

I really laughed, and Will was not always Will and I will say that this was a nice respite. 

Film

Oscar Wilde once wrote "Books are well written, or badly written. That is all."

While I do have a fervent fascination with Oscar Wilde, I am not completely sure if I agree with this. But no matter. If I were to make any art my business it would be the art of film. Not because I have any special ability in terms of film (I've only been in home videos) but because I have watched a good amount in the past year and I am good with recency.

Here is my quote (quote me on it). Films are well made, or badly made. That is all. 

If arguing occurs then it is well made. If a consensus is met, it is not.

Examples: find your own you lazy slumberbunnies.

As for my work in perpetuating this bold assertion, I will begin to review the movies that I see. I must admit however this was not wholly my idea, which is a dissapointment because I seldom have good ones that I act upon and it is quite unfortunate that the ones I do choose to act upon belong to someone other than me. I am suggestible I guess. That or given to grandiosity. No matter.

The reviews will be different each time. Some will be long, some will not. Some will be funny, others will be funny. But I will always give it a score of WM of BM. And I will always give a shout-out to my man Oscar who inspires us all.

When I am in Cincinnati this week, I will be waking up at 8 AM EST, which will feel like 5 AM to me, yippee.

Rattlesnake is overrated, and I still want an iPhone, Damnit.

Monsoons and Movie Tickets

This evening, I was baptized into the ardent church of aridity with my first dust-storm and monsoon rain. Other than a few petulant pieces of dust in the dear old Auge (I am preparing for a german test) it wasn't bad at all, and actually rather exhilarating. 

However, the dust storm itself was nothing compared to the benefits it reaped upon me and a few feminine compadres (unfortunately these lovely ladies were my mother, sister and histrionic sister-friend and not the cute arizona girls that elude me, yet). We went to see an o-k film, Kung Fu Panda, and whilst buying tickets, all of the electricity went out. We then had our money refunded and were on our way to the door when the power mockingly returned. After debate we used our refunded cash (and not the five free tickets we received) to buy tickets once more. We sat through Jack Black's usual vocal comedy, staccato humor and as we enjoyed the final credits, the power left the building once more. As we walked out of the auditorium the manager approached us and handed all of us four more free tickets for the inconvenience of not finishing the credits. 

Let us just say that lady luck liked us tonight.

Along with this fine story, I have come up with a theory that Arizona and its' seemingly incessant hot temperatures causes a strange phenomenon: everyone goes to the movies all the time. Ask any Phoenixian (residents of a year or more) what there is to do around here and they will all reply "The movie theaters are nice..." and then they will realize "Oh wow, we don't do anything here. Bummer." This is alright though, I like movies.

Also, I am given to grandiosity. Today I wanted to know all about money. Like...where did that even come from? idk.

I still haven't met anyone I don't like.

And to those who will one day read this blog, (because I mean, come on, the only reason anyone reads it now is to make me feel like I am interesting) I am working on pictures in posts, but it apparently costs money, and I have acquired a new frugality. At least until I find an alternative to Starbucks.

recurring theme

I am looking for a title that reflects recurring themes, and so I have temporarily chosen the partially creative title 'recurring theme.' 

Today's insight came while drinking Starbucks' very over priced Mint Mocha Chip Frappuchino (with free chocolate whipped creme).

There is nothing more annoying than a clogged straw.

amen.

V for Vendetta at 2 AM

Could it be that movies are better when your sanity is weaker? Some say that the longer you are awake, the less control you have over your body which can cause one to behave erratically or even fall asleep suddenly. 

As I am posting this at 2:15 am-ish in the morning, I am somewhat convinced that I am more capable of appreciating a good movie, and also more capable of empathizing with it as I am in some ways insane...strange, but I like it.

The Cathartic Qualities of Loud Music

Listening to loud music makes me feel better about most things. Whether I am angry, or sad or what ever, a sufficient dose of loud music will eventually make things better.

However, there is a bit of chance to this business, and the chance lies in the choice of songs to play in a loud manner. 

I am listening to loud music, but not the right song. However, I am working on fixing this problem.

I know I am sweating but where are the pit stains?

As I reflect on the 15 days that I have lived in Phoenix (specifically Chandler), Arizona there are 13 pervading themes, but I will only mention two for the sake of brevity. 

One. There has not been one day since I have lived here that the temperature has not been above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and the high has been 109 degrees Fahrenheit on average for the past 15 days. Ironically, I don't sweat any more than I did in cooler temperatures (yes, i have the right to call the 80's cooler) in fact I might be so bold as to say I sweat less. Unless I sit and essentially force a garment to soak up my secretion all of the sweat evaporates leaving me fresh and sexy. 

The problem here however is that even though I am more consistently fresh and sexy here in AZ, I have yet to be engaged by any of the pretty phoenix females...I have been told that if I had my car with me this would be a different story, but no matter. I am living large here.

Two. There is no two, nor is there 11 other pervading themes on account of the heat being a lot more pervasive as I thought about it more.

The Story of the Change Burn

It is so hot here, that change (as in coins of monetary value) that was lying in a compartment thus hidden from direct sunlight within our family's van burnt my two of my fingers quite severely when I was attempting to pay for and In-N-Out Burger.

The Story of The Handle Burn

The second day I was here, I spent much of that day applying at restaurants for jobs (which has led to no avail, so if you know someone who has a job in Phoenix, AZ please let me know) and in doing so I opened a lot of doors between 2 and 4 in the afternoon when restaurants were least busy. After being burnt by the first two doors, I became so fearful of the following doors I opened that at one point I used my shirt to protect my hand from being burnt once more. Some establishments had gone so far as to tie a towel around their door handle to protect their customers. 

Orientation in T-Minus 9 days, 21 hours, 5 minutes and counting. Go Bearcats.

the gargantuan graduation bonanza extravaganza

I counted on my calendar (ical to be exact, go mac!) and found that graduation is precisely 23 days 1 hour and 53 minutes away. That is to say that the past 13 years of public school will culminate in a formal ceremony of commencement, after which we all (seniors) must grow up. Does this daunt me? Pah! Does anything daunt me?! No.

JKay. But seriously, I'm not worried about leaving north penn, what I am a bit verklempt about is the people with whom I have spent the last 13 years trudging through the north penn school district's sometimes wonderful and many times silly education. I mean, I got ma' BP buds, and my PD pals and of most recent significance my NP n-friends...

I have, as of a challenging conversation in Weis, resolved my self to conscious recognition, appreciation and perpetuation of all the people that I have and do come in contact with in my life.

I could use a reminder every once in a while, I can't do it alone.

prom

Prom makes me anxious. I just want to have fun and I do not need a tux, a convention center, a limo, dinner, flowers, pictures, or anything like that in order to have fun. Actually I think that all of those things are fun-subtractors.

Fun-subtractors are no fun.

senioritis and blogger

I understand that this will be the millionth time someone has expounded upon the malady (privilege?) that is senioritis however I am currently incapacitated by it and need to deal with it.

Case #54784533156486479413

age: 18

occupation: student (secondary school)

symptoms: carelessness, a sense of invincibility, college pride, excessive facebooking, naps, reading, very sarcastic writing in scholarly papers, lateness, bad grades, etc

diagnosis: acute senioritis

treatment: electroshock therapy without sedative to re-infuse patient with drive

I have a paper due tomorrow. Tomorrow is the extended deadline too. The thing about this paper is that I have no desire to edit it, thank goodness it is already written. The paper isn't even important. I don't care about the grade at all. I remind myself that ending HS with a bad GPA is bad, and colleges get cranky at you. I am also reminded of something a mean woman once said, it went something like "if you are slacking in your senior year, you won't make it in college." But I think she has confirmation bias. Don't we all though?

The next thing that has been on my mind is a crime perpetrated against me. I was targeted and attacked by blogger.com. I tried to sign up for the mobile blogging feature and I received a reply text message that contained a virus that corrupted my cell phone. I then proceeded to the Verizon store where my phone was replaced while I waited an hour and a half. Am I complaining? You better believe it. 

The positives: I got a new phone, I learned that even reputable websites are corrupt, and I learned that phones could get viruses and you can get antivirus for your phone. Just another reason why I need to get an iphone.

nervous-excitement

I am fascinated by kenning. I think it's extremely useful here in describing how this blog concept makes me feel. This could be my road to infamy and finding myself. Mostly infamy though. 

Being that this is my first post ever I will do something creative and original that has never been done in this exact spot by anyone before, and if anyone chooses to try it for themselves, well they will simply become epigones of me, and that's alright with me. Here goes...

Kribble-dibble zooble-zabble. I am a real-deal bloggin' wheel that'll keep on turnin' and burnin' and learnin'. 

...it's a good start.