Can You Ever REALLY Guess Who?

You wouldn't guess it from looking at me.
And you couldn't know it if you don't know me.
You can't even hear if I'm lying when you can't hear my voice.
You only have the words you read to take as fact.
Online, I can claim to be anyone.

You wouldn't know it- But I'm considered a relationship expert.
And you couldn't know that I make about 50 dollars a week just on advice.
But if you saw me where I'm listed, you would take my advice as sound.
You would read what people consider make me qualified to give advice.
And all of it's true, although there are no degrees.

But I could have claimed to have my Psychology degree, and years of practice. I could have claimed to have written books on the subject. But would anyone really know? Would anyone double check?

With the personas you can create on the internet, you really need check your sources, you can't take anything as fact. Everything that people read seems to be widely accepted.

In fact, the only place people seem to acknowledge this is online dating. Apparently there everyone is lying; but you can trust everyone you pay to get relationship (or psychic or medical) help from. 

Are Video Games Making Us More Violent?

EVERYONE has heard this question growing up, and probably debated both ends of it. Today I had a moment of clarity I'd like to share.

Is anyone familiar with Foucault's Discipline and Punish?

It opens with an 18th century execution. I can't recall the crime that was committed, but the punishment was that he was tied to different horses and ripped apart. The problem is, it doesn't work. The man suffers for hours and onlookers begin to pity the computerate/ guilty man, rather than seeing him as an example. They basically need to cut the mans muscles after hours of failure.

And without going into anymore detail than that I'll continue- because, personally, it makes me feel ill.

Growing up, I know that we saw a lot of violence on TV and video games; but back then, they would see this live in the street.

So I'm thinking we're less sensitive to the concept of death and murder. In innocents such as school shootings, and other such tragedies. But in a sense, I also think we're more sensitive to brutality.

That now a days- death is death. And it's the death that is tragic. But back then, it wasn't just death, this would be hours of torture, and back then it was considered normal. They were also less prone to mass murders.

The world is cruel and brutal, just like the years before; but in a totally different way.

Will You Be My Valentine?

Okay; Yes, I'm one of the many people who dislike this holiday. Call me a hipster, call me a cynic, I really don't care. Do I think it's commercialized? Yes. Do I think it normally leads to disappointment? Yes. Do I think it makes single people miserable? Yes.

Is that why I hate it? No.

This is the first year since I was a Feshman in High School that I haven't been in a relationship or seeing someone when Valentines Day rolled around. I have hated it all that time, so no, this isn't a "boo-who I'm single rant."

What is Valentines Day to you really? "It's a day we show how much we love-" SHUT UP! It's nothing to you. It's a day plucked on the calender TELLING you to show the person you love how you feel.

You know what- You love them, that's great. Show them a day you love them, because you feel how much you love them- Not because the calender tells you to. Do something nice because it's Valentines Day-Meh- it'll probably be under appreciated anyway. Do it because it's a personal anniversary that you remembered- aww how sweet. Do it for no reason at all? Just because you care? YOU'RE A GOD. You'll earn so many "points" it's ridiculous.

If you love someone- show them because you want to. Not because you have to.

Slinging Along

I'm starting off to a rough start this semester.

After dislocating my arm after the first day of school, and rearranging most of my schedule for this semester I'm finding myself close to 4 weeks behind in work. I'm down to one arm when I really need about five just to get caught up with all my classes.

I've even had a teacher tell me that there was no fathomable way I could get caught up and be successful in their class; they were really reluctant to even let me try. But this being my last semester, I'm not about to quit. 

To prove this particular teacher wrong, I've decided that not only will I get caught up and do well in their class, but my ultimate goal is going to be to make Deans List this semester. Hopefully writing it out here will keep me slinging along (in my sling =D) and motivated.

Today marks one week since my arms been reset most recently, it's happened 2 additional times since the accident, and it's believed that I'm now going to be in the home stretch of my recovery. Starting Monday, I can begin physical therapy and be back on my way to having both arms again.  

The Downside To Being In A Sling: 

-Putting contact lenses in is nearly impossible.

-I can only wear button up shirts.

-I can't put my own hair in a pony tail. 

-I can't work (I coach gymnastics).

-Basically every single day is altered to prevent re-dislocation. 

The Upside To Being In A Sling:

-People are, in general, a lot nicer. (Opening doors, asking if I need help)

-I have a whole new appreciation for my left arm. Most of the things I use it for I never thought twice about. 

Hopefully by next Monday I'll be out of the sling except for the days that it's really painful =).