Recent events at work:
Made a cardboard robot and put it on one of my co-workers, then made her dance for everyone.
Taught everyone to moonwalk.
Managed to leave work to get food from the grocery store for one of our staff, only to find out that the grocery store smelled like trash. I'm not kidding.
Discovered that the GRE study guide doesn't define the word 'erotic' - they will only give you an example sentence.
The new girl drives a new corvette. Explain to me why she wants to work for us.
And recent events in my front yard:
The little girl next door came over and spent an hour tying then trying to untie a hair elastic from the chain link fence. she used 'crazy scissors from the crazy scissors store - it's RUSSIAN!' which was actually a thin orange piece of plastic that came from who knows where. She then proceeded to say 'dammit' for no apparent reason while looking over the fence. She's seven.
She also came over today and handed me a piece of bread she had torn off this ginormous loaf her mom makes. She told me I should tear it in half and give a piece to my friend who was over yesterday. I think she was eating off this piece prior to giving it to me, since she was chewing on some bread when handing to to me.
7.15.2009
6.27.2009
Swing
My new swing makes me so happy. Especially when everything else is just making me angry or sad or some other negative thing. At least there is one positive. The swing.
6.03.2009
From "The Little Prince" by Antione de Saint-Exupery
And he went back to the fox.
"Good-bye," he said.
"Good-bye,"said the fox. "Here is my secret. It's quite simple: One sees clearly only with the heart. Anything essential is invisible to the eyes."
"Anything essential is invisible to the eyes," the little prince repeated, in order to remember.
"It's the time you spent on your rose that makes your rose so important."
"It's the time I spent on my rose . . . ," the little prince repeated, in order to remember.
"People have forgotten the truth," the fox said. "But you mustn't forget it. You become responsible forever for what you've tamed. You're responsible for your rose . . ."
"I'm responsible for my rose . . . ," the little prince repeated, in order to remember.
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I like this.
"Good-bye," he said.
"Good-bye,"said the fox. "Here is my secret. It's quite simple: One sees clearly only with the heart. Anything essential is invisible to the eyes."
"Anything essential is invisible to the eyes," the little prince repeated, in order to remember.
"It's the time you spent on your rose that makes your rose so important."
"It's the time I spent on my rose . . . ," the little prince repeated, in order to remember.
"People have forgotten the truth," the fox said. "But you mustn't forget it. You become responsible forever for what you've tamed. You're responsible for your rose . . ."
"I'm responsible for my rose . . . ," the little prince repeated, in order to remember.
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I like this.
4.25.2009
I've got a friend who is a teacher in a small town in Southwest VA. According to her, half her ninth grade class is completely gay and the other half routinely looks up phrases in German at the library and draws swastikas on their desk because they are in the KKK. My next question is this : when will the two sides start a war?
She also says that since her town is relatively poor, it's not uncommon for parents to adopt kids for the money. I believe this completely, given the amount of people I encounter at work who I believe do not need state-funded resources, such as Medicaid, but are definitely on it. I say I do not believe they are in "need" because they all drive crazy nice cars - most of them NEW, expensive SUVs, live in relatively wealthy areas, and dress in designer clothing while talking on their Blackberrys.
Half of us at work keep saying we are going to apply for Medicaid and food stamps, since it seems there really are no criteria for receiving them. Since it's coming out of our paychecks anyway, it's not like we aren't contributing to the (faulty) system.
In other thoughts, I've come to the conclusion that people (especially college age kids) do insane things just so they have stories to tell. Here is an example: every year there is a horse racing event held that everyone and their mom (sometimes literally) attends. Here's what ends up happening at this event: everyone leaves early in the morning, already beginning to to augment their BAC and proceeds to spend the entire day in either 90 degree weather, sunburning the hell out of themselves and making themselves sick or they spend the day in torrential downpours, falling down in the mud. These people are in their Kentucky-derby best, mind you - suits, sundresses, HEELS. Why on Earth would you put yourself through this experience?? It's all about the stories. It's like there is some invisible level of insanity that you have to achieve during your prime years or you haven't "lived".
This is usually the ideal when it comes to alochol and college students, though. Unless you are completely wasted and streaking somewhere, you probably aren't having any fun. Who makes these rules??
She also says that since her town is relatively poor, it's not uncommon for parents to adopt kids for the money. I believe this completely, given the amount of people I encounter at work who I believe do not need state-funded resources, such as Medicaid, but are definitely on it. I say I do not believe they are in "need" because they all drive crazy nice cars - most of them NEW, expensive SUVs, live in relatively wealthy areas, and dress in designer clothing while talking on their Blackberrys.
Half of us at work keep saying we are going to apply for Medicaid and food stamps, since it seems there really are no criteria for receiving them. Since it's coming out of our paychecks anyway, it's not like we aren't contributing to the (faulty) system.
In other thoughts, I've come to the conclusion that people (especially college age kids) do insane things just so they have stories to tell. Here is an example: every year there is a horse racing event held that everyone and their mom (sometimes literally) attends. Here's what ends up happening at this event: everyone leaves early in the morning, already beginning to to augment their BAC and proceeds to spend the entire day in either 90 degree weather, sunburning the hell out of themselves and making themselves sick or they spend the day in torrential downpours, falling down in the mud. These people are in their Kentucky-derby best, mind you - suits, sundresses, HEELS. Why on Earth would you put yourself through this experience?? It's all about the stories. It's like there is some invisible level of insanity that you have to achieve during your prime years or you haven't "lived".
This is usually the ideal when it comes to alochol and college students, though. Unless you are completely wasted and streaking somewhere, you probably aren't having any fun. Who makes these rules??
3.22.2009
3.16.2009
it's all downhill from here
anger is not a good thing. neither is sadness. sometimes the two are intermingled. because it's easier to be angry than sad. but it's hard to be angry. it hurts. and it leaves a lasting impression.
it hurts to not be able to tell someone something and it hurts to think someone is keeping things from you, even if they do have the best of intentions. it hurts to think that people want to ruin good things for others, even if it won't make them happy in the long run, only sad or angry.
another strong feeling is hate. no one likes to admit that they hate someone, even if they claim to do so with relish. because hating someone hurts you as well. because there is a reason you hate them. and when you think of it, you feel angry or sad. and hating someone is pointless. the hate can't reach out at strike them, as much as you want it to. even if you believe in karma, hate is intangible and can only be felt in vibes, if you believe in them. but what does it matter if they don't know you hate them. its only valid if two parties feel it. because the hated needs to confirm the hate in order for it it have effect. otherwise, the hate is unfelt by anyone except you.
helplessness is the worst though. possibly moreso than sadness or anger. at least you can direct those at someone. helplessness leaves you feeling, well, helpless. and there is nothing you can do about it. no one can help you, you can't solve the problem, you are lost. forget about it. there is no breadcrumb trail to follow back home. have fun crying yourself to sleep tonight because that is what you will be doing.
understanding is what i aim to achieve when it comes to others. that is the sole basis behind my chosen course of study. but how can you understand someone when you feel all these feelings at once? can you objectively separate the self to see the other person? when is it all right to be 'selfish' again and tend to your own wounds. when can you stop trying to see their point of view and demand help for yourself without sounding selfish.
maybe all feelings are selfish. of course, they all relate to the self, so they are, but when you feel something it potentially blocks out another being. it stops you from understanding them. but why do they have the right to be understood more than you? where do you draw the line? and isn't it just selfishness that makes people undertake any action at all? selfishness disguised as ambition, caring for someone, being upset, all of it is just another plea for the spotlight. isn't it?
it hurts to not be able to tell someone something and it hurts to think someone is keeping things from you, even if they do have the best of intentions. it hurts to think that people want to ruin good things for others, even if it won't make them happy in the long run, only sad or angry.
another strong feeling is hate. no one likes to admit that they hate someone, even if they claim to do so with relish. because hating someone hurts you as well. because there is a reason you hate them. and when you think of it, you feel angry or sad. and hating someone is pointless. the hate can't reach out at strike them, as much as you want it to. even if you believe in karma, hate is intangible and can only be felt in vibes, if you believe in them. but what does it matter if they don't know you hate them. its only valid if two parties feel it. because the hated needs to confirm the hate in order for it it have effect. otherwise, the hate is unfelt by anyone except you.
helplessness is the worst though. possibly moreso than sadness or anger. at least you can direct those at someone. helplessness leaves you feeling, well, helpless. and there is nothing you can do about it. no one can help you, you can't solve the problem, you are lost. forget about it. there is no breadcrumb trail to follow back home. have fun crying yourself to sleep tonight because that is what you will be doing.
understanding is what i aim to achieve when it comes to others. that is the sole basis behind my chosen course of study. but how can you understand someone when you feel all these feelings at once? can you objectively separate the self to see the other person? when is it all right to be 'selfish' again and tend to your own wounds. when can you stop trying to see their point of view and demand help for yourself without sounding selfish.
maybe all feelings are selfish. of course, they all relate to the self, so they are, but when you feel something it potentially blocks out another being. it stops you from understanding them. but why do they have the right to be understood more than you? where do you draw the line? and isn't it just selfishness that makes people undertake any action at all? selfishness disguised as ambition, caring for someone, being upset, all of it is just another plea for the spotlight. isn't it?
3.03.2009
My Neighbors
So yesterday being a snowday, I went outside to build a snow dinosaur with my roommate and witnessed the following:
10.00 am. Two younger children, Boy (B) and Girl (G) come outside from next door. Older Brother (OB) comes out wearing t-shirt, shorts and slippers and smokes a cigarette. OB goes back inside. G and B throw some snow around. OB comes back out with a machete. Yes, a machete. And a plastic tub. OB and B and G begin building ziggurat looking figures with said tub. OB starts shaving down sides of ziggurat with machete while yelling and B and G in Russian. Soon, B and OB start throwing snowballs at each other. OB almost knocks B over with his. B throws one and breaks the basement window. OB begins yelling again in Russian at B. Older Sister (OS) opens upstairs window and looks down. OB and B throw snowballs at her. OS comes outside and they all throw snowballs at each other. Machete lays forgotten next to snow ziggurat.
I wish I had a machete.
10.00 am. Two younger children, Boy (B) and Girl (G) come outside from next door. Older Brother (OB) comes out wearing t-shirt, shorts and slippers and smokes a cigarette. OB goes back inside. G and B throw some snow around. OB comes back out with a machete. Yes, a machete. And a plastic tub. OB and B and G begin building ziggurat looking figures with said tub. OB starts shaving down sides of ziggurat with machete while yelling and B and G in Russian. Soon, B and OB start throwing snowballs at each other. OB almost knocks B over with his. B throws one and breaks the basement window. OB begins yelling again in Russian at B. Older Sister (OS) opens upstairs window and looks down. OB and B throw snowballs at her. OS comes outside and they all throw snowballs at each other. Machete lays forgotten next to snow ziggurat.
I wish I had a machete.
2.11.2009
Adults are Liars
Me to parent: "How many times a day do your kids normally brush?"
Mom: "2"
kid: "No, we don't!! we brush once!! Sometimes never!!!"
Mom: "Davonte, shut it!"
Me: "What do they usually drink?"
Mom:"Water."
Kid: "Kool Aid! Soda! Chocolate Milk!"
When parent leaves the room, this happens -
Kid:"I brushed my teeth this morning cause mom said we had to cause we were going to the dentist."
Me: "Oh?"
Kid: "Yeah, I usually don't. And I don't floss. We don't have any."
Another thing I (dis)like
(usually white) mom (in english): "Now (insert name here), come on."
Kid: "Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!"
Mom (who thinks noone speaks spanish here and is yelling in spanish at her kid: "You'll do it or I will hit you."
Me (in spanish): "Do what she says"
Mom runs into room away from anyone who can understand her.
Silly woman, you never know who is listening.
Mom: "2"
kid: "No, we don't!! we brush once!! Sometimes never!!!"
Mom: "Davonte, shut it!"
Me: "What do they usually drink?"
Mom:"Water."
Kid: "Kool Aid! Soda! Chocolate Milk!"
When parent leaves the room, this happens -
Kid:"I brushed my teeth this morning cause mom said we had to cause we were going to the dentist."
Me: "Oh?"
Kid: "Yeah, I usually don't. And I don't floss. We don't have any."
Another thing I (dis)like
(usually white) mom (in english): "Now (insert name here), come on."
Kid: "Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!"
Mom (who thinks noone speaks spanish here and is yelling in spanish at her kid: "You'll do it or I will hit you."
Me (in spanish): "Do what she says"
Mom runs into room away from anyone who can understand her.
Silly woman, you never know who is listening.
2.08.2009
um
sitting on the rooftop cheering for people while they parallel park is fun. Sitting on the rooftop and cheering for people who are running and then notice that they can't hear you cause they are in their i-pod bubble is disappointing and vaguely irritating. case in point: i-pods are ubiquitous and somewhat of a social inhibitor. No more talking to random people on street corners or sidewalks or (yes, i've seen this) in stores. I wear my i-pod when I run too. But now I am thinking I might stop this behavior. It keeps you from noticing your surroundings. Who knows WHAT you are missing out on. Someone could be cheering me on from a rooftop and I could completely miss it. Life is too short to miss such things.
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