Archive for February, 2009

529,600

Wednesday, February 25th, 2009

Numbers are awesome.

I was just thinking about it today (don’t judge me, it’s only my Junior year and I’ve already checked out mentally- at least from my easy classes) and we care more about numbers than anything else. From salaries, to grades, to how many lollipops your sister got as compared to you- we’re obsessed. Numbers are solid, factual; they can’t lead us astray. Right? I know every time I flip through Time (heh) I go straight for three sections: 10 Questions, that awesome time-line-y kind of article that goes from SHOCKING to SHOCKINGLY PREDICTABLE, and By the Numbers. Ok, so one doesn’t fit. But my point remains. I automatically assume someone is intelligent when I hear magic numbers they’ve achieved, like a 33, or a 2240, or a 140 (ACT, SAT, IQ.) Numbers- they’re what’s for belief!

Einstien, whose knowlegde was esoteric- he dealt with numbers, and we were amazed. Awed, even.

Franklin, whose knowledge was common- he dealt with words, and we were just… satisfied.

“This teacher had a graduation rate of 87%, this prosecutor has a conviction rate of 79%.” Oooooh. Aaaaaah. “A trillion dollars is enough to buy every man, woman, and child in the U.S. 300 boxes of Girl Scout cookies. If you stacked a trillion dollars, in hundred dollar bills, the height or the stack would be 86 Mt. Everests.”

Numbers turn the unbelievable into the possible, the intangible into the understandable.

Go numbers.

I love…

Saturday, February 21st, 2009

DOGS. Completely, unstintingly, I’m devoted to God’s best creation. You know, I’ve cried in like MAYBE two human-death movies, and those recently, because it seems lately I’m just overflowing with silly emotions. But I cry every time I see a dog die. I bawled in Marlie and Me, not only the movie but (even worse) in the book. I was readin’ that thing at the airport, sniffling and sobbing in these jagged, wracking sobs… got weird looks from everyone. I’m positive they thought I was a basket case. Maybe they’re right. Dogs are loyal, dogs are intelligent, they know their place in society, they aren’t politically incorrect because they don’t say anything cruel. In fact, they don’t judge at all. If I only knew someone like that.

WATERMELON. Is there anything better in the summer than a crisp, cool slice of sticky sugarwater? Yeah, I thought not.

THE INTERNET. The Internet is the last vestige of natural selection we have in civilization. If you can’t adapt to the technology, no one wants you around, no matter your mettle. On the Internet, you’re only judged by the stuff you can help, like your stupidity, or lack of skill. Cyber-bullying my ass. If you can’t take the heat, let go of the mouse.

BOOKS. Reading is my life, my escape from the world. And I love it. I feel terrible for you poor suckers that insist you HATE reading. You’ve been robbed. Those who had parents to mean or ignorant to impart to you that love of literature, you’ve been crippled, I don’t care how skillful you are at all the other parts of life. If you can’t communicate effectively, no one cares what you have to say. It’s a sickness; it’s a disease; you should be quarantined until you realize how to fix your affliction. Skillful writers and orators, the demagogues of the world, determine the path of civilizations. That saying you’ve seen on every English teacher’s wall- “Reading takes you higher!” It’s true. It’s the one thing proven to boost every facet of intelligence. So try it- chances are, if you dislike reading, you’ve only read bad books.

MUSIC. If reading is my life, music is my lifeline, the thread that pulls me back into touch with myself. The same song can have a million different connotations depending on my mood. Music can be anything you want it to be, or mean anything you want it to mean. I’m forever in awe of the lyricists that combine words you identify with and music that you love. I’m not very musically talented, I’m afraid, but that doesn’t stop me from belting out a song. Music is the great communicator.

FRIENDS. They’re like the family you wish you had. I’d do anything for my friends. And I mean that. I honestly believe if ever the time came, I’d lay my life down, without a second thought, without hesitation, for a true friend. Otherwise, how could I live with myself the rest of my life? My friends help make life worth living, and keep me sane, and true to myself. And, they put up with me. So that’s a major plus.

POKEMON. Not quite as much anymore, but if there were actual Pokemon on this Earth, I might die of happiness. I’d be the ultimate trainer. That was the most excellent game. It fulfilled thousands of fantasies for children everywhere, and you actually had to be semi-intelligent, persistent, and hard-working to succeed. Gah. If I only had a Squirtle…

CHRISTMAS. There’s just something about the season, a pent-up excitement/ stress that pervades the general populace. And then the sense of release and contentment you get when you know you’ve done your best, your shopping is finished and your giftees will be satisfied. And at all the cool stuff you get as well.

Intro

Saturday, February 21st, 2009

Well, guys, I’m Cara, and you’re wasting your life reading about my hopes, aspirations, and innermost thoughts. I don’t blame you; in fact, I value your opinion, and I spent the time to type this out. This blawrg is to help me hone my writing skills, and although a lot of it is straight-up practice, I need your input. When I sound like a moron, tell me about it. I’ll be grateful… well, sometime, anyway. And this is the internet, so worst-case-scenario, you get verbally abused.

Apparently “tab” isn’t used while writing out a post. Good to know.

I cast around for a while for something to write about, and finally latched on to the expansion of a previous assignment. I had to write a list of twenty-five “TRUTHS, ” and they’re going to be the title of several of these posts. Hold on to your seats, people. This is exciting shit.

Welcome to my world.