Facebook Loser

My facebook profile makes me simply look like a loser. Most of my pictures are from my freshman and sophomore year of college. And people rarely write on my wall.

But that is because I am not an active "facebooker."

Here are the things that make you a legit "facebooker":

1. New, uploaded pictures of everywhere you go and every time you hang out with someone
2. Commenting "funny" things on peoples wall and returning the favor when someone writes on your wall
3. Constantly updating your status
4. Adding everyone you meet. Not KNOW. Just MEET.

If you have all the above... you are a legit "facebooker". And you look like you have friends.

Buying Image

I have a friend who buys the finest liquors to stock his apartment, yet he doesn't drink them. He bought an Armani suit, yet he can't find the occasion to wear it. He bought a 10 foot beer pong table for a part he never threw. And he buys dinner for "friends" he doesn't really care for. I asked him why he buys these things. I said "so you have a taste for fine whiskey? I can't tolerate the stuff." He replied "No, not particularly-- but this is what CEOs drink."

I have been fascinated with my friend with my friend for the past few years. We have always had a good rapport, but I've realized that this is all have. My friend is a good conversationalist only because his talent is maintaining an impeccable public image. Why else would he buy expensive items he doesn't use? Each item he buys carefully crafts his public self, piece by piece. I'd love to hate him for this. How could you be friends with someone so phony, someone without a real personality. Then I spoke to him about how I felt, and I discovered that he is as conscious of his public self as I am critical of it. My friend cannot be blamed for what he does, nor should he be demonized for it. He purchases things in order to achieve a certain image. This idea isn't foreign or weird, it's distinctly American: it's consumerism in a nutshell. We live in a time and place where advertisements for Keep do not sell the automobiel-- they sell adventure. Advertisements for Rolex don't sell watches-- they sell status. Though I've always turned the commercials on mute when I watch television, who could blame anyone for buying into such an attractive fantasy.

My Love Affair with TV

Ever since I can remember, I have always looked forward to my favorite TV shows every week. I am a big fan of the tube- especially for my generation who prefer the computer. TV has always been considered a negative and almost lazy activity. I can understand people's negative point of view: it requires little brain activity, sitting, and you can only watch what is presented.

I don't think TV deserves such a negative reputation. I have actually learned a lot through television. Even shows like "The Simpsons" have taught me history and current events in a satirical manner. On occasion, "The Simpsons" has engaged and taught me more than any history class. And other shows like "Planet Earth" were mostly made to educate the public in an engaging manner.

Most importantly, TV allows me to relax! I have the best naps by the TV. It really reminds me that life could be worse (48 Hours, Intervention), funny (The Office), or just plain ridiculous (I Love New York).

Kind of Voting

So today is election day. I voted with an absentee ballot. I had the HARDEST time picking a president. I think I am more on the liberal side but I have a hard time sticking with one party. Hell- I voted for Bush last election (shhh). However, for this election, I had the WORST time favoring one candidate over the other.

I consulted my mother with my problem. She told me to flip a coin. I consulted my friends and they of course said to vote for Obama. I came to the conclusion that the best decision would be to not vote for a presidential candidate. And I didn't- I left it blank! Don't get me wrong, I voted. I just voted for all of the propositions. People leave propositions and random city officials blank all the time when they aren't fully informed about the area- so how is this any different? However, I received some very negative responses when I addmited my action today. For example:

"You're SO stupid!"

"How could you not voice your opinion?! It's your right!"

"Voting for the president is the best part of the whole election! How could you miss that?!"

"Your'e weird."

NOW I know why people keep their political opinions to themselves. I think I got a worse reaction for saying I didn't vote for a president than if I had told all of my democratic friends I voted for McCain.

I find that not voting was the most mature thing I could have done! It is a lot more mature than flipping a coin or just voting for the candidate all of my friends are voting for. And it's MY RIGHT not to vote for president. Plus, there's always the next election...

Oh and I guess Obama was just pronounced the president elect. Congrats

Changing the World...

Since I am graduating this June, I have been thinking a lot about what kind of job I would want to do. As a drama major and digital arts minor, I obviously love all forms of art. However, I have been having this overwhelming feeling that perhaps there are "more important things" I should do in my life. Don't get me wrong, art is VERY important and necessary in this world. But I think some things in MY life may require more attention.

I am talking about my younger brother . He is 20 years old and severely Autistic. Although I hear that Autism is receiving more attention than it has in the past, I feel that I need to help my brother now. This is because any new amazing finding or "cure" would not benefit him or anyone else with the disability.

Ever since i can remember, just about anyone finds the mentally disabled amusing (in a negative manner). I have even witnessed my peers (who have WORKED with disabled children) turn around and make fun of anyone who is mentally "retarded". By the way, that is my least favorite word. People throw it around so frequently that I sometimes don't even notice it anymore. Even a few of my bosses and teachers have not only used this word in a joking manner, but have also made fun of mentally challenged people. As a child, I thought that when people matured, their humor would too. I guess I was wrong...

I really have no idea what kind of job I would like to have. I know in the back of my mind that a job dealing with autistic and disabled children may be too hard for me because this disability has been apart of my entire life. But deep down, I know I HAVE to make things better than they are right now. If anything, I would love to make the seriousness of all disabilities more apparent to the public. Movies such as "Tropic Thunder" show that our society has not matured. Who knows- maybe I can combine the this and my love of art and write a play about it.







Halloween- 1992. My brother & I

Birthdays

"The celebration of birthdays is not universal. Many religions oppose celebrating birthdays, relating it to paganism, and other religions."

["Birthday" Wikipedia].

Tomorrow is my birthday...and I am dreading it! I have realized in the past few years that birthdays are too much work. I end up just getting angry at all of my self-centered friends and not having any fun. Even right now, I'm trying to figure out which restaurant to go to- but it has to be one that everyone likes, not too far, etc. My friends always tell me "Who cares what everyone thinks- it's your birthday! We will do whatever you want."

Too bad that that never ends up happening. People always end up complaining about what I choose to do and it just ends up falling apart. This year I wanted to be left alone. But stupid friends (who do not have a good track record of being considerate) said we need to celebrate. So now I am forced to pick a stupid restaurant. Last weekend, I was supposed to go to a Haunted House with my San Diegan friends. It was my friend's idea. I told them not to eat too much before when we went out to eat because we would become lethargic. I also told them that the line to get in would be at least an hour long. Of course no one listened- we ended up driving the 20 minutes there and then just turning around! It of course was my call because it was "my birthday"- but really it was there whiny tone that called it.

My birthday dream at this moment is to sit and be left alone. I feel like Birthdays were created for the high maintenance people in this world. I'm really quite simple- all I need are a few friends ATTEMPTING to have a good time. Next year, that will be my goal!

San Diegan Birthday Pictures: The Car was the Highlight


1. "Icee" was the best part 2. They're having a great time 3. Entertaining myself

The Getty Villa

This sunday, I had the opportunity to visit the Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades, CA. I had to go for one of my classes- so of course I had a sense of dread going into the whole trip. I had to wake up early (for a sunday) pick up my friends, drive there, and then drive back after only an hour. The day before the trip (and during almost 50% of the trip itself) I was worried about traffic, the time it would take out of my day, wasting money on gas, etc. Even though it was free, it still took a chunk out of the little money I had.

Once we arrived, I was so tired that I wasn’t really taking in what was around me. I had to draw and write down my observations about a specific artifact that interested me. As horrible as this sounds, all of the pottery and statues did not grab my attention- probably because I have seen many examples of them in text books. It wasn’t until I came across the coins and jewelry exhibition that I was finally intrigued. I drew and analyzed a pair of dolls made out of bone from 1100 A.D. for my project. They fascinated me because I could relate to them and saw similarities between the values of that culture and our own. It surprised me because they came from a completely different era!

In the end, I’m very glad I was “forced” to go to the Getty Villa. It is probably not something I would’ve done on my own (because I am quite lazy) and I actually learned something new that interested me. I didn’t even waste that much gas!