Closing Words

"I would if I could, but I can't, so I won't." -I Know by Miles Neuvirth

That applies to writing for me. I would stop if I could. It's very time consuming, it's not good for social interaction, and it causes one's hand to cramp up after a while (I have yet to find a way to build up "writer's muscle").

However, I can't stop. Words fascinate me. Once we're gone, they are the only tangible thing that will remain that is ours.

I want to thank you for putting up with my ramblings and all of the help that you have given me during this semester. This has been a very good experience for me, and all I can be is grateful.

Best of luck to all of you!

Babies. They're good with ketchup.

Confession: I love a Modest Proposal. I've been working on making it into a duo with a friend for the past few months. Does liking snarky, sarcastic article about eating babies make me a terrible person? Maybe. Maybe.

Possibities for a New Modest Proposal (or perhaps a Flamboyant Suggestion?)
-dress codes (brown potato sacks)
-steriod use in athletics (all meds banned. Including cough drops)
-lunch programs (No soup for you!)
-health care (Those who are sick, even with the common cold, go die)
-rising gas prices
-global warming
-medical ethics

Thanks Be!

Thankful: adj, concious of benefit recieved. Expressed gratitude.

Oftentimes, we don't realize just how much we have to be thankful for until we come close to losing it.

Over Thanksgiving break, there were two horrible accidents due to a drunk driver. Four people were hit in downtown Rochester, and one was killed. One of the people who was hit was my friend's brother.

Currently, he's doing alright. He's staying at home with a badly broken leg and arm. Physically, he is stable. But healing will take a long time. And there are only so many types of scars that time can heal.

In light of such devastation, it is very easy for me to be thankful. We have food, shelter, love, health, kindness, and joy. So many things pass by without recognition. Our lives flee away and we barely acknowledge them. But in this stillness, I remember all that I have and all that has been given to me. Truly, I am blessed.

But the thing that I am most thankful for was the smile on my friend's face after we took her out for the day. Even in pain, there is beauty.

Be thankful for what you have, because you never know when you are going to lose it.

Let's Be Logical

Somethings may not be logical, but they can be true.
Or, someone will be stubborn enough to make you believe that they are true.

Many of the arguments that I witness go in circles. One person says one thing, the other immediately says the opposite. They may argue using the same facts, but absolutely no logic. When logic enters into the argument it is not listened to. Logic is irrelevant. In the end, it's all about who can argue the longest.

According to Spock, "Logic is the beginning of wisdom, not the end". However, when one argues with logical fallacies, it might very well be the end.

Controversy

In our society, you can't talk about politics, religion, or money without disagreeing with someone. Generally, it's better to avoid these topics, or be extremely gifted with diplomatic skills, if one wants to make it out of a place without frustration. Every person has an opinion, and it seems that we all like to share it.

So, how do we deal with our differences? Quite frankly, we don't. We are all so invested in our opinion that we can't wrap our minds around other ways of thinking. We may not know for sure that we are right, but we are trained to know that "they" are WRONG. Our persuasive arguements mainly comprise of varied forms of shouting. We scoff at others, but we never bother to look in the mirror at our own faults. If we did, who would be the one laughing?

Permanence

Permanence: (n) the state or quality of remaining unchanging indefinitely.

Life, as we all know, is unpredictable. There is no way to control an outcome except to live through it. We are constantly changing. At times, we may feel lost, alone, and scared by our surroundings. We feel as if we have stepped off a train on the wrong station, surrounded by strangers who don't care about us. Our situation seems helpless at times.

So, many people try to change the one thing that they do have control over in this impermanent world. They change themselves. By changing their appearance, they get to change other's first impressions. A tattoo is one way to do this that will last forever. The permanence of a tattoo is its greatest attraction and largest detraction. Some people like the control that it shows; they truly can make a difference. Others worry that they might change and then the tattoo would lose its relevance to them. It's a double-edged sword.

Where do I stand on this issue? Honestly, I can't pick a side. To me, the tattoo is validated by the personal meaning that it has for the wearer. If there is no meaning in the tattoo, then it is rather pointless. Our bodies are belong to no other person, but they are a gift. We should not deface them, only add to their value.

Blood's Thicker than Water

"You may love us, you may hate us, but blood's thicker than the water at the bottom of the crick. Girl, you're stuck with us." - Grandpa Pete Oberfoell

Can you show me a perfect family? Has there ever been a family that hasn't had arguements, different opinions, or exasperation? Really, I think that one would have to lie to answer, "Yes," to that question. It's impossible. And even if such a family existed, their lack of conflict would be a problem in itself. We learn how to problem solve primarily from our family. Without those skills, we wouldn't be able to survive in the world. Dysfunction can be functional.

However, dysfunction is hurtful as well. Families are torn apart by it. People can become broken shells of what they once were. They feel as if they can trust no one.

Whether dysfunction can be constructive is hidden in shades of gray. Every situation is different. Everyone is unique. However, we all have a need to love and to be loved. When a family is incapable of this, then it is truly dysfunctional.