As previously mentioned, I spent about two weeks in Thomassique, Haiti, teaching English to school children. I learned a lot of things in those two weeks. I honestly believe that the Haitian people I came in contact with taught me more than I could ever teach them. Here are the 52 Things I Learned in Haiti. Some of them should have been obvious. A bunch of them are kind of humorous. All of them have a story attached to them. If you want to know the story behind some of the snippets of my trip, let me know.
1. Any lane is a passing lane.
2. Bras are optional.
3. Ketchup shows up where you least expect it.
4. Driving is terrifying.
5. Music crosses language barriers.
6. So does teasing.
7. Laughter is infectious.
8. Songs are great teaching tools.
9. The first step is the hardest.
10. Soup can be eaten from a plate.
11. How to pluck a chicken.
12. Rap music makes even less sense in Haiti.
13. Always accept sugar in a drink if it's offered. It's offered for a reason.
14. English idioms get lost in the translation.
15. I can't draw a parallelogram.
16. Spelling the word "eighth" is hard.
17. Kids make connections most adults have forgotten how to.
18. Big dreams are universal.
19. Dance is its own language.
20. Games can be played together regardless of age, sex, language, class and race.
21. There is fun to be had if you look for it.
22. Water is life.
23. "God wants what the women want." - Haitian proverb
24. Birthdays are causes for celebration.
25. "Take that away from her before she hurts herself" is unmistakable, even if you don't speak a word of Creole.
26. How to juggle a sleeping baby and serve food at the same time.
27. Mosquito netting is a blessing.
28. Sometimes they just won't smile.
29. How to put a child to sleep in 30 seconds flat.
30. How to write a biblical acrostic.
31. Crying while cutting onions is unacceptable in Haiti.
32. How to be okay with staying in the kitchen while the men work.
33. "Every Haitian loves Madonna." -David
34. How to play Haitian Big Booty.
35. Saturday is cleaning day.
36. Carrying rocks is way better in a group.
37. Those roots make you itch.
38. You can go through a whole day without ever knowing what time it is.
39. There is a wrong way to eat a cooked banana (ie: with peanut butter).
40. Peanut butter makes nasty things more bearable.
41. Green bananas are not sweet. At all.
42. Haitian pop culture doesn't think too highly of women.
43. Car horns are purely locational devices, not mechanisms for exhibiting road rage.
44. Your head is like Blue Tooth for carrying- Hands free! (This also looks ridiculous out of context.)
45. Cell phones are just as popular in Haiti as in the US. Possibly more popular than water. Maslow would have been seriously confused.
46. There actually is a use for 5 gallon buckets.
47. If you build it, they will come.
48. Donald Duck is a Christian.
49. Grandmas and their houses are the same in every culture.
50. 60 year-old women like VBS songs just as much as 6 year-olds.
51. Matt's head is pretty high, but not high enough for Haitian soccer.
52. How to ride a motorcycle.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Monday, May 9, 2011
Haiti
I haven't written in a while because I got caught up in the end-of-year hubbub of finals and projects and stressing out and moving out and heading to Chicago. But that's all over now. Woo! Sophomore year down.
Unfortunately, it will be two more weeks until you are graced with my web-presence again. I promise it's for a good reason. I'm going down to Haiti to work with some pretty sweet awesome people and help out a school. It should be pretty swell. I'm excited about it.
I am sure that when I return I will have a lot to say.
Unfortunately, it will be two more weeks until you are graced with my web-presence again. I promise it's for a good reason. I'm going down to Haiti to work with some pretty sweet awesome people and help out a school. It should be pretty swell. I'm excited about it.
I am sure that when I return I will have a lot to say.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Postmodernism and Apathy
Because of various things going on in classes and on campus, I have been thinking about philosophy a lot over the last several days. Now, I don't pretend to be a philosopher. I have a basic understanding picked up in debate rounds and a few scattered classes. It's been enough to pique my interest but, being an over-ambitious college student, I haven't had time to read all the books I want to.
Here's my understanding of post-modernism: There is no such thing as truth. Everything is relative. Everything is explicable. Just because you have a set of morals doesn't mean everyone else is beholden to the same moral code. You are your own unique individual.
My understanding of apathy: You just don't care.
In my estimation, postmodernism leads to the raging apathy I see as an epidemic both on my campus and in the world. If we're all free, happy little snowflakes, existing in our own tiny microcosmic view of the world, thoroughly convinced that we are right and no one can tell us otherwise, the only thing that can relate to is isolationism.
A common belief system is what draws people together. It unites people and has the power to catalyze revolutions. Think of the Reformation. Think of the American Civil War. Think of the Civil Rights movement of the 60s. These things brought people together and resulted in revolutions of massive proportions because people were sold out for the thing they were fighting for.
Now, when we're all wrapped up in our own individualistic idea, it isolates us from other people. As postmodernism continues to exert itself as the primary mode of intellectual and social thinking, we grow further and further apart from our fellow human beings. We've allowed ourselves to write the rules to our lives but as a result, no one is willing to play with us. By granting ourselves intellectual freedom, we're making for ourselves a mental monastic hermitage, a religion of one that serves only ourselves.
Furthermore, because of this, it becomes increasingly difficult to ignite anyone toward a purpose. When there is no truth, there can be no consensus. When there is no agreement, there can be no movement, no decision that action must be taken. We have literally dismantled the catalyst that drives human revolution, which is the synergy humans have when they agree on something. By seeking to powerful in our individuality, we have destroyed the true power humans have: what we can do when we work together.
Here's my understanding of post-modernism: There is no such thing as truth. Everything is relative. Everything is explicable. Just because you have a set of morals doesn't mean everyone else is beholden to the same moral code. You are your own unique individual.
My understanding of apathy: You just don't care.
In my estimation, postmodernism leads to the raging apathy I see as an epidemic both on my campus and in the world. If we're all free, happy little snowflakes, existing in our own tiny microcosmic view of the world, thoroughly convinced that we are right and no one can tell us otherwise, the only thing that can relate to is isolationism.
A common belief system is what draws people together. It unites people and has the power to catalyze revolutions. Think of the Reformation. Think of the American Civil War. Think of the Civil Rights movement of the 60s. These things brought people together and resulted in revolutions of massive proportions because people were sold out for the thing they were fighting for.
Now, when we're all wrapped up in our own individualistic idea, it isolates us from other people. As postmodernism continues to exert itself as the primary mode of intellectual and social thinking, we grow further and further apart from our fellow human beings. We've allowed ourselves to write the rules to our lives but as a result, no one is willing to play with us. By granting ourselves intellectual freedom, we're making for ourselves a mental monastic hermitage, a religion of one that serves only ourselves.
Furthermore, because of this, it becomes increasingly difficult to ignite anyone toward a purpose. When there is no truth, there can be no consensus. When there is no agreement, there can be no movement, no decision that action must be taken. We have literally dismantled the catalyst that drives human revolution, which is the synergy humans have when they agree on something. By seeking to powerful in our individuality, we have destroyed the true power humans have: what we can do when we work together.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Shorty Got High Like a G-6
Because my parents are discerning music-listeners, I was raised on a steady diet of Tom Petty, The Eagles, The Beastie Boys and Warren Zevon. When confronted with a country and western version of Pink Floyd's The Wall done by Luther Wright and the Wrongs (yes, I'm serious), one doesn't feel the need to venture out into popular music much, or if you do, it's quality controlled by the same musically discerning parents.
As a result, the depth of my understanding of popular music is limited, at best, to the genres I have developed a particular taste for. I am, however, an equal opportunity music connoisseur and will give anything at least a cursory listen.
As I have been testing the heretofore uncharted waters of popular rap and hip-hop, I have come up with two questions that I feel must be answered in order for my listening to continue.
What is a G6? And who the heck is Shorty?
Like the able-bodied internet user I am, I did a quick Wikipedia search and here's what I came up with:
-The six largest members of the European Union.
-An airplane.
-A Ford or a Pontiac.
-A howitzer.
-A Chess move (pawn to G-6).
Using context clues (and consequently getting exposed to words like "sizzurp". Don't get me started.), I would assume that they're referring to the airplane. Some further Wikipedia-ing provided me with a picture of said airplane. It's a 12 passenger puddle jumper.
Yep. That's my idea of being fly.
I will say this, however. Having heard this phrase in at least two different songs, I assumed that another band/artist was just copying the first. I was relieved to find out that it was simply two songs by the same band. Kudos to Far East Movement for practicing continuity.
Speaking of continuity, very few characters have been serialized quite as effectively as the elusive "Shorty" (variation: Shawty). After a quick Google search and some analytical lyric comparison, I determined that there are no less than six songs named after this ambiguous female of small stature, not to mention however many times she is simply mentioned in the song.
All I have to say is: "Dang, girl!"
As a result, the depth of my understanding of popular music is limited, at best, to the genres I have developed a particular taste for. I am, however, an equal opportunity music connoisseur and will give anything at least a cursory listen.
As I have been testing the heretofore uncharted waters of popular rap and hip-hop, I have come up with two questions that I feel must be answered in order for my listening to continue.
What is a G6? And who the heck is Shorty?
Like the able-bodied internet user I am, I did a quick Wikipedia search and here's what I came up with:
-The six largest members of the European Union.
-An airplane.
-A Ford or a Pontiac.
-A howitzer.
-A Chess move (pawn to G-6).
Using context clues (and consequently getting exposed to words like "sizzurp". Don't get me started.), I would assume that they're referring to the airplane. Some further Wikipedia-ing provided me with a picture of said airplane. It's a 12 passenger puddle jumper.
Yep. That's my idea of being fly.
I will say this, however. Having heard this phrase in at least two different songs, I assumed that another band/artist was just copying the first. I was relieved to find out that it was simply two songs by the same band. Kudos to Far East Movement for practicing continuity.
Speaking of continuity, very few characters have been serialized quite as effectively as the elusive "Shorty" (variation: Shawty). After a quick Google search and some analytical lyric comparison, I determined that there are no less than six songs named after this ambiguous female of small stature, not to mention however many times she is simply mentioned in the song.
All I have to say is: "Dang, girl!"
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Smile at Me, Please.
I recently traveled through O'Hare International Airport in Chicago while on the way to my brother's wedding. I had a trek of epic proportions from Concourse C to Concourse F, which ended up being a hike of about 20 minutes. On the way, I passed various and sundry people from different backgrounds heading to different places.
Being the geeky people watcher that I am, I decided to conduct a social experiment.
I pasted a 1000-watt smile on my face and sought to make eye contact with as many people as I could. I passed 300 people easily on my journey through the better part of one of the largest airports in the United States.
Only two smiled back at me.
Count 'em.
Two.
That's lame.
Being the geeky people watcher that I am, I decided to conduct a social experiment.
I pasted a 1000-watt smile on my face and sought to make eye contact with as many people as I could. I passed 300 people easily on my journey through the better part of one of the largest airports in the United States.
Only two smiled back at me.
Count 'em.
Two.
That's lame.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Our British Fixation
I write this while listening to Mumford and Sons, wanting to marry Matt Smith and/or David Tennant and sitting under a Monty Python poster, all whilst sipping a cup of Earl Grey.
Most people who are considered "discerning" have come to grips with this simple fact:
Stuff in Britain is just better.
From comedy to music to beverage choice, British popular culture is seeping into America. And I couldn't be happier. In my opinion, American entertainment has become too polished. The color is more vibrant, the actors more beautiful, the puns wittier, and the situations more dramatic, all to combat a growing level of desensitization. It's all about the next best thing. Who can be bigger. Flashier. Cooler. Push the envelope more. Put the most poop jokes in a 90-minute movie.
And I'm tired of it.
Which is why I like British stuff! Very few British television actors are drop-dead gorgeous. Special effects are comparatively substandard. Mumford and Sons isn't auto-tuned to all hell. The humor is low-key plays on words and situational irony. It all serves to make British entertainment both more approachable and enjoyable.
So many of the things that have become indispensable to my entertainment had their genesis in Great Britain. Hats off to the Brits and God save the queen.
TV: Dr. Who, The Office, Whose Line is it Anyway, Antiques Roadshow, Hell's Kitchen, The Daily Show, American Idol, Dancing with the Stars, Undercover Boss, What Not to Wear, Who Wants to be a Millionaire, and more.
Music: The Beatles, Mumford and Sons, Coldplay, Muse, The Smiths, Radiohead, Keane, Franz Ferdinand, David Grey, Dido, James Blunt, Natasha Bedingfield, The Gorillaz, to name a few.
Books: William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte, Emily Bronte, George Orwell, JK Rowling, William Golding, Agatha Christie, JRR Tolkien, CS Lewis, Phillip Pullman, Neil Gaiman, Oscar Wilde, Ian McEwan, etc.
And we thought The British Invasion ended in 1966.
Most people who are considered "discerning" have come to grips with this simple fact:
Stuff in Britain is just better.
From comedy to music to beverage choice, British popular culture is seeping into America. And I couldn't be happier. In my opinion, American entertainment has become too polished. The color is more vibrant, the actors more beautiful, the puns wittier, and the situations more dramatic, all to combat a growing level of desensitization. It's all about the next best thing. Who can be bigger. Flashier. Cooler. Push the envelope more. Put the most poop jokes in a 90-minute movie.
And I'm tired of it.
Which is why I like British stuff! Very few British television actors are drop-dead gorgeous. Special effects are comparatively substandard. Mumford and Sons isn't auto-tuned to all hell. The humor is low-key plays on words and situational irony. It all serves to make British entertainment both more approachable and enjoyable.
So many of the things that have become indispensable to my entertainment had their genesis in Great Britain. Hats off to the Brits and God save the queen.
TV: Dr. Who, The Office, Whose Line is it Anyway, Antiques Roadshow, Hell's Kitchen, The Daily Show, American Idol, Dancing with the Stars, Undercover Boss, What Not to Wear, Who Wants to be a Millionaire, and more.
Music: The Beatles, Mumford and Sons, Coldplay, Muse, The Smiths, Radiohead, Keane, Franz Ferdinand, David Grey, Dido, James Blunt, Natasha Bedingfield, The Gorillaz, to name a few.
Books: William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte, Emily Bronte, George Orwell, JK Rowling, William Golding, Agatha Christie, JRR Tolkien, CS Lewis, Phillip Pullman, Neil Gaiman, Oscar Wilde, Ian McEwan, etc.
And we thought The British Invasion ended in 1966.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Something's Wrong Here...
I debate for my college, which means I pride myself on my ability to follow what's going on in the world.
Has anyone else noticed the huge discrepancy in coverage between Libya and Japan?
For my readers who live under a rock, let me give you a quick rundown on what's been going down.
Japan: A couple of weeks ago, the biggest earthquake in the last hundred years rocked the country and caused massive devastation. 9,000 people are dead. 13,000 people are missing. Nuclear power plants collapsed, spewing radiation everywhere, including into the ocean and agricultural areas.
Libya: Moammar Gadhafi has been a despot since 1969. There have been a series of protests running through the Middle East and northern Africa (the most notable being Egypt and Tunisia). Libyan rebels decided to follow suit. Things have gotten a bit hairy. And by a bit, I mean that there was military action against the rebels, the French actively came out in support of the rebels, Gadhafi vowed a blood bath, the UN supported the rebels, Obama spoke out against Gadhafi and the US bombed Tripoli (Libya's capital), 48 people died, the US is backing off a little bit, and Gadhafi is still defiant.
Don't get me wrong. They're both a big deal. But if you take a look at the implications and potential damage of both of them, one vastly outweighs.
(Japan, if you didn't figure it out.)
Which one is getting the most media coverage and attention?
Libya.
Huh.
Has anyone else noticed the huge discrepancy in coverage between Libya and Japan?
For my readers who live under a rock, let me give you a quick rundown on what's been going down.
Japan: A couple of weeks ago, the biggest earthquake in the last hundred years rocked the country and caused massive devastation. 9,000 people are dead. 13,000 people are missing. Nuclear power plants collapsed, spewing radiation everywhere, including into the ocean and agricultural areas.
Libya: Moammar Gadhafi has been a despot since 1969. There have been a series of protests running through the Middle East and northern Africa (the most notable being Egypt and Tunisia). Libyan rebels decided to follow suit. Things have gotten a bit hairy. And by a bit, I mean that there was military action against the rebels, the French actively came out in support of the rebels, Gadhafi vowed a blood bath, the UN supported the rebels, Obama spoke out against Gadhafi and the US bombed Tripoli (Libya's capital), 48 people died, the US is backing off a little bit, and Gadhafi is still defiant.
Don't get me wrong. They're both a big deal. But if you take a look at the implications and potential damage of both of them, one vastly outweighs.
(Japan, if you didn't figure it out.)
Which one is getting the most media coverage and attention?
Libya.
Huh.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
In Honor of Friday
It is currently 12:04 AM which means it is officially Friday. Thank God. This has been one of the longest weeks of my life, simply because my already-abnormal-college-kid sleep cycle has been seriously screwed with by my trip to Costa Rica. A small price to pay for how awesome it was, but still.
In honor of the fact that it is now Friday, I am going to share something that lies very close to my heart. Move over, Justin Bieber! There's another teeny-bopper "musician" with inane, obvious lyrics out to spoon feed us repetitive lyrics.
The anthem of our youth.
SPOILER ALERT: Watch the video before reading what I have to say about it.
This video has gone viral, but not in a good way. More in a "Watch this. It's horrific." kind of way. I actually debated with myself whether or not I wanted to blog about it, for fear it would gain this song more attention. However, the part of me that wants to participate in a social commentary won out.
The things I find wrong with this video (besides the obvious musicality deficit):
1. The kids driving look twelve. In every other media depiction of high schoolers, twenty-five year old actors are used. This is why.
2. She doesn't use proper English by any stretch of the imagination.
3. I never went to a house party that cool when I was in high school.
4. Her biggest moral conundrum is whether or not to sit in the front or the back of the car.
5. She totally ditches out on her bus.
6. She needs to remind herself (and us) of the order of the days of the week.
7. It's Friday morning and she's already worried about her weekend ending.
8. It isn't imperative that you eat cereal for breakfast.
9. She wakes up with eyeliner on.
10. No. I don't know what IT is.
11. Wait. She wants time to fly?
12. What about the girl on her left? Apparently they aren't friends.
13. I still don't know IT.
14. Riding out the top of the convertible like that is dangerous.
15. "Sunday comes afterwards." Enough said.
16. What's with the awkward guy rapping in the middle of the song? He is entirely too old to be hanging out with a bunch of high school freshmen. There are a series of uncomfortable questions that need to be asked if he's cruising with them.
And I thought that what I listened to in 8th grade was bad...
In honor of the fact that it is now Friday, I am going to share something that lies very close to my heart. Move over, Justin Bieber! There's another teeny-bopper "musician" with inane, obvious lyrics out to spoon feed us repetitive lyrics.
The anthem of our youth.
SPOILER ALERT: Watch the video before reading what I have to say about it.
This video has gone viral, but not in a good way. More in a "Watch this. It's horrific." kind of way. I actually debated with myself whether or not I wanted to blog about it, for fear it would gain this song more attention. However, the part of me that wants to participate in a social commentary won out.
The things I find wrong with this video (besides the obvious musicality deficit):
1. The kids driving look twelve. In every other media depiction of high schoolers, twenty-five year old actors are used. This is why.
2. She doesn't use proper English by any stretch of the imagination.
3. I never went to a house party that cool when I was in high school.
4. Her biggest moral conundrum is whether or not to sit in the front or the back of the car.
5. She totally ditches out on her bus.
6. She needs to remind herself (and us) of the order of the days of the week.
7. It's Friday morning and she's already worried about her weekend ending.
8. It isn't imperative that you eat cereal for breakfast.
9. She wakes up with eyeliner on.
10. No. I don't know what IT is.
11. Wait. She wants time to fly?
12. What about the girl on her left? Apparently they aren't friends.
13. I still don't know IT.
14. Riding out the top of the convertible like that is dangerous.
15. "Sunday comes afterwards." Enough said.
16. What's with the awkward guy rapping in the middle of the song? He is entirely too old to be hanging out with a bunch of high school freshmen. There are a series of uncomfortable questions that need to be asked if he's cruising with them.
And I thought that what I listened to in 8th grade was bad...
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Facebook Means Never Having to Say Goodbye
I have 647 Facebook friends. I know all but one personally. I recently culled out nearly 100 people because realistically I knew I'd never talk to them again.
People from my class in high school. People I met once. People I swore I'd never lose touch with but then did by the time the next summer rolled around. Facebook tells me tritely that these people are my "friends" but in reality, they never have been. I interact with (optimistically) 1/6 of the people I call my "friends".
Before facebook, life had a natural ebb and flow. There's all sorts of corny quotations...like this one:
Facebook makes it so we rarely have to deal with someone walking out of our lives. We can forever keep tabs on them, see what they're up to, creep on their pictures, see if they're in a relationship. I maintain an illusion of closeness with that one girl in high school I used to BFFFFFFFFs with because I know all about her life. I just don't actually talk with her about it.
Facebook is going to kill the Christmas letter. Christmas letters are how my parents' generation (and those before) kept in touch with all of the people they felt obligated to keep in touch with and fill in on the details of what happened in the previous year. Now, if they're on facebook (and chances are they are), all that lazy bum has to do is look at your profile and coast through your pictures to see what's been going on in your life. It saves on both effort and postage.
It gives me pause, though. Right now, I'm carrying 647 people around with me. A good portion of them represent periods in my life I don't really want to go back to. A good portion of them I will never talk to again. Facebook has saddled me with them because I feel I should carry them with me. I have saddled myself with them because facebook makes them accessible.
Facebook has made it so much harder to leave the past in the past.
People from my class in high school. People I met once. People I swore I'd never lose touch with but then did by the time the next summer rolled around. Facebook tells me tritely that these people are my "friends" but in reality, they never have been. I interact with (optimistically) 1/6 of the people I call my "friends".
Before facebook, life had a natural ebb and flow. There's all sorts of corny quotations...like this one:
“Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts. And we are never, ever the same.”
Facebook makes it so we rarely have to deal with someone walking out of our lives. We can forever keep tabs on them, see what they're up to, creep on their pictures, see if they're in a relationship. I maintain an illusion of closeness with that one girl in high school I used to BFFFFFFFFs with because I know all about her life. I just don't actually talk with her about it.
Facebook is going to kill the Christmas letter. Christmas letters are how my parents' generation (and those before) kept in touch with all of the people they felt obligated to keep in touch with and fill in on the details of what happened in the previous year. Now, if they're on facebook (and chances are they are), all that lazy bum has to do is look at your profile and coast through your pictures to see what's been going on in your life. It saves on both effort and postage.
It gives me pause, though. Right now, I'm carrying 647 people around with me. A good portion of them represent periods in my life I don't really want to go back to. A good portion of them I will never talk to again. Facebook has saddled me with them because I feel I should carry them with me. I have saddled myself with them because facebook makes them accessible.
Facebook has made it so much harder to leave the past in the past.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Buy American Stuff!
I've been chillin' in Costa Rica with sixteen other pretty awesome people for a biology study tour that will actually garner me school credit for the last week or so. It's been pretty great. No lie. I've been hiking in some pretty sweet mountains, seeing some pretty sweet plants, wanting to pet some pretty sweet mammals and being scared out of my mind by some pretty sweet birds that are flying too close to my head.
Today we hiked down from the study station we've been staying at to the nearby town of San Vito. Let's be honest. You've never heard of it. It's not exactly tourist-central and the only thing of note nearby is the study station where a bunch of septuagenarians get really good at bird watching. You have to be looking for San Vito for a reason to find it.
We hiked down a ridiculously long trail (especially for an out-of-shape-non-athletic college student like me), up a road (which we happened to turn the wrong way on which resulted in us walking about 4 miles out of our way), up a few thousand hills, down a couple, up a few thousand more, all to get to this town.
Our goal? Buy cutesy touristy stuff for our friends and family to commemorate a trip they weren't on.
What we found? An American-centric community like I have never seen. We walked through shop after shop and found none of the hand-carved bird statues to sit awkwardly on mantels. We found fake Nike shoes (the swoosh had an extra little bump in it), overpriced Aeropostale and American Eagle purses, clothing stores modeling after American styles and (my favorite) a store called The American Store, which was basically our Goodwill, but for American clothes.
A simple explanation was offered by a lady from Costa Rica who had spent time living in New Jersey: "It's what the people want."
My question: Why?
Today we hiked down from the study station we've been staying at to the nearby town of San Vito. Let's be honest. You've never heard of it. It's not exactly tourist-central and the only thing of note nearby is the study station where a bunch of septuagenarians get really good at bird watching. You have to be looking for San Vito for a reason to find it.
We hiked down a ridiculously long trail (especially for an out-of-shape-non-athletic college student like me), up a road (which we happened to turn the wrong way on which resulted in us walking about 4 miles out of our way), up a few thousand hills, down a couple, up a few thousand more, all to get to this town.
Our goal? Buy cutesy touristy stuff for our friends and family to commemorate a trip they weren't on.
What we found? An American-centric community like I have never seen. We walked through shop after shop and found none of the hand-carved bird statues to sit awkwardly on mantels. We found fake Nike shoes (the swoosh had an extra little bump in it), overpriced Aeropostale and American Eagle purses, clothing stores modeling after American styles and (my favorite) a store called The American Store, which was basically our Goodwill, but for American clothes.
A simple explanation was offered by a lady from Costa Rica who had spent time living in New Jersey: "It's what the people want."
My question: Why?
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Of Free Speech and Just Being a Jerk
As anyone who pays any attention to anything knows, the Supreme Court decision about Westboro Baptist's right to picket a military funeral came down today. It's a blow to humanists everywhere, but the right to free speech has been upheld.
There's a constitutionally protected right to free speech. There isn't a constitutionally protected right to live out your days without being seriously offended.
Does it suck?
Yes.
Does Fred Phelps make my soul bleed?
Undoubtedly.
Do I think the Supreme Court actually did their job?
Yes. Yes, I do.
There's a constitutionally protected right to free speech. There isn't a constitutionally protected right to live out your days without being seriously offended.
Does it suck?
Yes.
Does Fred Phelps make my soul bleed?
Undoubtedly.
Do I think the Supreme Court actually did their job?
Yes. Yes, I do.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Do Your Homework
Today, the firewall at my college had some major issues. What else is new? They block things like Urban Dictionary and College Humor to be spiteful (we assume). Today, however, they blocked Google and all things associated therewith.
Talk about an uproar.
It was all over facebook (which went conveniently unblocked). The rage in the air was palpable. How can we use our check our e-mail, print our documents or search for anything without our beloved Gmail, Googledocs and Google itself? The world is coming to an end! The Mayans were wrong!
The websites unvictimized by this randomly horrific piece of hardware malfunction?
Facebook.
Twitter.
Cracked.
The Oatmeal.
Honestly. You'd think they WANT us to be bad students.
At least they blocked StumbleUpon.
They got it figured out now and everything is back to internet normalcy. It's good they did, too. The IT department would have had a bunch of angry college students who are dependent on Google's innovations to contend with and wouldn't have stood a chance.
Talk about an uproar.
It was all over facebook (which went conveniently unblocked). The rage in the air was palpable. How can we use our check our e-mail, print our documents or search for anything without our beloved Gmail, Googledocs and Google itself? The world is coming to an end! The Mayans were wrong!
The websites unvictimized by this randomly horrific piece of hardware malfunction?
Facebook.
Twitter.
Cracked.
The Oatmeal.
Honestly. You'd think they WANT us to be bad students.
At least they blocked StumbleUpon.
They got it figured out now and everything is back to internet normalcy. It's good they did, too. The IT department would have had a bunch of angry college students who are dependent on Google's innovations to contend with and wouldn't have stood a chance.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
A Proper Distinction
I have had it up to my eyeballs with bad grammar.
It's rampant on the internet, even among people who seem to be halfway intelligent. Apparently appearances can be deceiving. My respect for humanity plummets 12 points every time someone uses the word "your" in any context other than a possessive one.
I need to develop an immunity to illiteracy or cultivate an intricate defense mechanism like Allie Brosh.
To make myself feel better, I'm going to give a quick primer on the proper distinction between several homophones.
"I can see your education has been neglected."
You're: you are
"You're an idiot."
You no longer have an excuse. Go. Use your new-found knowledge. Fight the fungus of bad grammar like a tube of internet Tinactin.
It's rampant on the internet, even among people who seem to be halfway intelligent. Apparently appearances can be deceiving. My respect for humanity plummets 12 points every time someone uses the word "your" in any context other than a possessive one.
I need to develop an immunity to illiteracy or cultivate an intricate defense mechanism like Allie Brosh.
To make myself feel better, I'm going to give a quick primer on the proper distinction between several homophones.
Your vs. You're
Your: it belongs to you"I can see your education has been neglected."
You're: you are
"You're an idiot."
Its vs. It's
Its: a gender-neutral possessive.
"Don't think about touching its cheese."
It's: it is
"It's a shame you don't know the difference between 'its' and 'it's'."
"Don't think about touching its cheese."
It's: it is
"It's a shame you don't know the difference between 'its' and 'it's'."
Their vs There vs They're
Their: plural possessive
"I was over at their house."
There: location
"You smell gross. Please sit over there."
They're: They are
"Nerdy girls are wonderful. They're some of the coolest people I've ever met."
"I was over at their house."
There: location
"You smell gross. Please sit over there."
They're: They are
"Nerdy girls are wonderful. They're some of the coolest people I've ever met."
You no longer have an excuse. Go. Use your new-found knowledge. Fight the fungus of bad grammar like a tube of internet Tinactin.
Friday, February 25, 2011
The Things that Make One a Flaming Liberal
"Liberal" was never a word I applied to myself. Neither was "hippie". If pressed to ask for my political party, I would probably say Republican. Apparently, however, I have some free lovin' ideals that aren't approved by the right wing set.
I go to a small, faith-based university that prides itself on being Christ-centered. The student body is largely Christian and has a propensity for firmly believing what they believe because they believe it.
I've never been one to buy what was being sold without looking at all the options and it frustrates me no end when those around me live an unexamined life. I ask a lot of questions because I want to make informed decisions for myself.
As a result, I am labeled a liberal hippie.
If asking questions gets me that title, I'll wear it proudly.
Excuse me as I go hug a tree.
I go to a small, faith-based university that prides itself on being Christ-centered. The student body is largely Christian and has a propensity for firmly believing what they believe because they believe it.
I've never been one to buy what was being sold without looking at all the options and it frustrates me no end when those around me live an unexamined life. I ask a lot of questions because I want to make informed decisions for myself.
As a result, I am labeled a liberal hippie.
If asking questions gets me that title, I'll wear it proudly.
Excuse me as I go hug a tree.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Unlike Unicorns, Nerdy Girls Exist
Several months ago (July, when Starcraft II came out), I had a facebook status that said "Yes, I play Starcraft. Yes, I am a girl." It was one of my most popular status, garnering "likes" from guys and girls alike.
And like most random, thought-provoking situations, it got me thinking.
Being nerdy is, theoretically, socially taboo. Moreover, girl nerds are virtually unheard of. To the untrained eye, the nerdy girl is usually found somewhere between $100 lying around and unicorns on the "Things You'll Cross Paths With Arranged in Order of Decreasing Likelihood" scale. This misconception is fueled by masculine dominated nerd groups and the stereotype that nerds don't know how to talk to girls. When the subject is D&D or the newest Joss Whedon show, few females can keep up.
Until now.
Not only am I fluent in D&D jargon but I know what CoD stands for, understand the concept of bandwidth, can hold my own in a Marvel vs DC debate, love Dr. Who, have proper respect for Cthulhu, play Starcraft, ask "Then who was phone?!", think Steve Jobs is an evil genius, and want to be first in line to pay my respects to Google when they take over the world.
And I'm not alone.
To all of you on the unicorn hunt: I admire your dedication.
For all of you nerds looking for a girlfriend: Try one who speaks your language. You'll find the conversation much more interesting.
And like most random, thought-provoking situations, it got me thinking.
Being nerdy is, theoretically, socially taboo. Moreover, girl nerds are virtually unheard of. To the untrained eye, the nerdy girl is usually found somewhere between $100 lying around and unicorns on the "Things You'll Cross Paths With Arranged in Order of Decreasing Likelihood" scale. This misconception is fueled by masculine dominated nerd groups and the stereotype that nerds don't know how to talk to girls. When the subject is D&D or the newest Joss Whedon show, few females can keep up.
Until now.
Not only am I fluent in D&D jargon but I know what CoD stands for, understand the concept of bandwidth, can hold my own in a Marvel vs DC debate, love Dr. Who, have proper respect for Cthulhu, play Starcraft, ask "Then who was phone?!", think Steve Jobs is an evil genius, and want to be first in line to pay my respects to Google when they take over the world.
And I'm not alone.
To all of you on the unicorn hunt: I admire your dedication.
For all of you nerds looking for a girlfriend: Try one who speaks your language. You'll find the conversation much more interesting.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
I Have Been Inspired
My friend Ryan decided to start a blog, documenting the intrepid wanderings of a witty college student. I got jealous and thought "I should start my own blog, too. I have things to say." And it's true. I do have things to say. The question is whether or not people want to read them.
The name for this blog comes from one of my favorite RomComs: Music and Lyrics. The long and short of it is a washed-up musician gives life advice to his co-star and she's shocked. The following line gives rise to my title:
"I have great insight. I'd use it on myself only I don't have any problems."
So, yeah. I am going to provide insight into all the problems people face while sneakily avoiding dealing with me own in a public forum. Because I don't have any problems. I'm perfect.
Ha.
The name for this blog comes from one of my favorite RomComs: Music and Lyrics. The long and short of it is a washed-up musician gives life advice to his co-star and she's shocked. The following line gives rise to my title:
"I have great insight. I'd use it on myself only I don't have any problems."
So, yeah. I am going to provide insight into all the problems people face while sneakily avoiding dealing with me own in a public forum. Because I don't have any problems. I'm perfect.
Ha.
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