It's the newest OJ Simpson trial. Controversial, and complete with stunning accusations, Casey Anthony's murder trial filled the gap for many people who get a rush from following sensational trials like this.
Not since Michael Jackson or Robert Blake has public opinion been so divided on the outcome of a criminal trial. Casey Anthony was found not guilty of murdering her 2 year old daughter Caylee Anthony, but was convicted on four misdemeanor counts of lying to the police.
Nancy Grace has already aired her disgust over the verdict (Nancy Grace is still relevant?) as have many other media personalities. However, the simple truth is there is no evidence to suggest that Ms. Anthony did in fact commit this crime. The medical examiner (none other than Doctor Jan Garavaglia aka Dr. G of television fame) was not able to make a definitive determination as to Caylee's cause of death thus putting the theory that she was murdered in doubt. At this point some of you might be yelling, "but she was partying while her daughter was missing and didn't seem to care about her until someone else found out."
True, Anthony didn't file a missing person's report until her parents raised suspicions about their granddaughter, but this does not mean that Casey is a child killer. For all we know she could have some kind of mental condition that prevented her from worrying too much about her daughter. The truth is, we may never know, and to universally condemn Casey Anthony because there are too many unknowns for us to be comfortable with is simply unfair.
There was no miscarriage of justice here as the illustrious Nancy Grace would have you believe, there was simply a lack of evidence. We do not know if Caylee was murdered or suffered an unfortunate accident as the defense team claimed during the trail. All we know for sure is that a little girl has died and no matter how much we want to have answers to this mystery, we cannot allow ourselves to be manipulated by people such as Nancy Grace. There is a reason our legal system is the way it is, to prevent such things as manipulation to dictate the course of a trial, especially one where a person's life is on the line (remember Casey faced the death penalty). How would we as a public feel if Casey had been convicted, given the death penalty then it was discovered that she was innocent? I am more than certain that innocent people have died in prison or in the electric chair and more will face the same fate in the future. Sometimes our justice system doesn't get it right, but I contend that this is not one of those times.
I am waiting for Nancy Grace to publicly call me the messenger of the devil.
July 6, 2011
June 25, 2011
Amateur Freelancing is Hard
So I've already said that I'm trying my hand at freelance writing. It's been a difficult road so far. I just started in April and since then, while I have seriously grown to love written journalism, I realize that it will be hard to make a career out of this. It's difficult to be a freelancer, but I do love the excitement that revolves around it. It really is exciting.
I've learned a lot about myself for instance, I like being able to find myself on Google. Before you could only find anything about me by misspelling my first name. Now I have a whole Google page to myself (watch as the smile creeps across my face). I also love the feeling of accomplishment I get when I learn that one of my articles has been published.
While I haven't made that much money from this endeavor, I still think I have a long way to go and a lot more to do.
Wish me luck!
I've learned a lot about myself for instance, I like being able to find myself on Google. Before you could only find anything about me by misspelling my first name. Now I have a whole Google page to myself (watch as the smile creeps across my face). I also love the feeling of accomplishment I get when I learn that one of my articles has been published.
While I haven't made that much money from this endeavor, I still think I have a long way to go and a lot more to do.
Wish me luck!
June 24, 2011
Konami Coding Like a Boss!
I am a really dumb gamer. Okay so I'm not that much of a gamer but I can appreciate a damn good video game when I see/play one. I have yet to play Halo 3 however (sad face).
Anywho, during a recent jaunt through cracked.com (if you've never read any of their articles you should definitely go check them out now), I learned why I was always getting my ass hopelessly kicked in certain video games. The secret is the Konami Code.
Apparently, a game developer got frustrated with his game and decided to create a code that could help him out. He accidentally forgot about it and the code went into production hidden in the game. Eventually people figured it out and the code became a pop culture hit. Various websites have used the code to hide truly awesome Easter Eggs. So upon discovering this code, I decided to use this code on every website. I haven't come across much but it's still fun. I am now going to share this lovely piece of intel with you.
Go to a website and press the following: up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A.
To clarify that's the up arrow twice, down arrow twice, left arrow, right arrow, left arrown, right arrow, b button, a button.
Do it and lemme know what you find.
Anywho, during a recent jaunt through cracked.com (if you've never read any of their articles you should definitely go check them out now), I learned why I was always getting my ass hopelessly kicked in certain video games. The secret is the Konami Code.
Apparently, a game developer got frustrated with his game and decided to create a code that could help him out. He accidentally forgot about it and the code went into production hidden in the game. Eventually people figured it out and the code became a pop culture hit. Various websites have used the code to hide truly awesome Easter Eggs. So upon discovering this code, I decided to use this code on every website. I haven't come across much but it's still fun. I am now going to share this lovely piece of intel with you.
Go to a website and press the following: up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A.
To clarify that's the up arrow twice, down arrow twice, left arrow, right arrow, left arrown, right arrow, b button, a button.
Do it and lemme know what you find.
June 17, 2011
I'M BACK!
I've been away and I'm sorry about that. But you'll be glad to know that the time away from my blog was spent well.
I've taken the time to figure out some things in my life. I've picked a career path and something to do in the meantime. You are looking at the mad rantings of a future journalist. I figured I write enough as is anyway so I might as well put my (cough) talents to good use.
While I'm on my way to journalism, I've decided to experiment and write from now. I am now a published writer for the Yahoo Contributor Network (4 articles published with lots more to go!) and I wrote some articles for Her Campus Cornell. So I've got a lot to update you on in the future so I'll keep you in the loop on how it all goes.
To infinity and...wait is that line copyrighted?
I've taken the time to figure out some things in my life. I've picked a career path and something to do in the meantime. You are looking at the mad rantings of a future journalist. I figured I write enough as is anyway so I might as well put my (cough) talents to good use.
While I'm on my way to journalism, I've decided to experiment and write from now. I am now a published writer for the Yahoo Contributor Network (4 articles published with lots more to go!) and I wrote some articles for Her Campus Cornell. So I've got a lot to update you on in the future so I'll keep you in the loop on how it all goes.
To infinity and...wait is that line copyrighted?
April 11, 2011
Birthday Post Part Deux
Sitting in class, not paying attention. It's the usual. So instead of listening to my rather boring professor talk endlessly about the almost government shutdown, I'm surfing the interwebz and blogging. I think this is a better alternative. I should get a free pass because it's my birthday. YAY! But unfortunately since there has been no Presidential proclamation for it to be a holiday (one from Prez Skorty would work too) today is a Monday like any other day -le sigh-. Womp womp.
The Birthday Post
Today is April 11, 2011. This is the most important day on any calendar anywhere in the world. Why you ask? Because IT'S MAH BIRTHDAY!!!! THAT'S WHY!!!!
So 19 years ago today I was a newborn babe (no swaddling clothes unfortunately...they left me butt ass naked for a while. jk they had a blankie ready). I don't really have much else to say besides thank you to all of my friends who have supported me for so long (and for an awesome weekend leading up to today) and a very very VERY special thanks to my family for making me who I am today. And last but not least to my parents, without whom I literally could not be here today, especially my mom. For so long she's been both parents to me. She been the one to correct me when I'm wrong and to congratulate me when I'm right. She's shown up to ridiculous school events that were not at all important to anyone but me. She's watched me recite poems at harvest festivals, play piano badly at recitals, watched me pretend to be a tiny ballerina in a black leotard and a pink tutu and climb trees even though she knew I would eventually fall out of said trees (I have the scars to prove her wisdom). My mother went through a whole day of labor to give birth to a tiny six and a half pound "cute red little alien no bigger than my hand," according to my grandmother. And over the course of the following nineteen years, my mother struggled and fought and succeeded to give me the life she thought I deserved and I thank her for every minute of those years. In all honesty we fight like Holyfield and Tyson sometimes but after that's all said and done she's still my best friend in the whole world.
So what I'm getting at here is that today is really her day and not mine. I simply was born and screamed a little, while she pushed and endured my demanding newborn ass for a day (possibly more) and delivered a whole new life into the world. Today is not just my birthday, today is the day the most amazing woman in the world became my mother.
So 19 years ago today I was a newborn babe (no swaddling clothes unfortunately...they left me butt ass naked for a while. jk they had a blankie ready). I don't really have much else to say besides thank you to all of my friends who have supported me for so long (and for an awesome weekend leading up to today) and a very very VERY special thanks to my family for making me who I am today. And last but not least to my parents, without whom I literally could not be here today, especially my mom. For so long she's been both parents to me. She been the one to correct me when I'm wrong and to congratulate me when I'm right. She's shown up to ridiculous school events that were not at all important to anyone but me. She's watched me recite poems at harvest festivals, play piano badly at recitals, watched me pretend to be a tiny ballerina in a black leotard and a pink tutu and climb trees even though she knew I would eventually fall out of said trees (I have the scars to prove her wisdom). My mother went through a whole day of labor to give birth to a tiny six and a half pound "cute red little alien no bigger than my hand," according to my grandmother. And over the course of the following nineteen years, my mother struggled and fought and succeeded to give me the life she thought I deserved and I thank her for every minute of those years. In all honesty we fight like Holyfield and Tyson sometimes but after that's all said and done she's still my best friend in the whole world.
So what I'm getting at here is that today is really her day and not mine. I simply was born and screamed a little, while she pushed and endured my demanding newborn ass for a day (possibly more) and delivered a whole new life into the world. Today is not just my birthday, today is the day the most amazing woman in the world became my mother.
April 10, 2011
Diary Blogging
I think I need to explain something.
When I first started this blog it was to express my feelings about the politics of our age. So this was initially a political blog and now it's evolved into more of an online diary. The reason I write what I write is because I live in the selfish hope that what I'm feeling can help someone else. Another reason is that writing helps me work through the feelings I couldn't be able to work out in any other way. The most logical way would be to get a therapist but shrinks are expensive and I don't have that kind of cash floating around in my laundry pockets, so this blog is my shrink. What I write is free-thought all the way. I sign in and I just write. I don't even come up with a proper title for my posts until I am done writing whatever it is that comes out. I honestly don't plan out these posts most of the time. So what I write here is me. I say what I would normally say in real life. I really do think these things and I recognize the faults in myself through my diary blogging (which is the term I'm going to use for what I'm doing here...and as I write that I realize that should be the title of this post, so it will be). When I write the state of mind I'm in tends to be somewhat moody and I'm sorry about that. I pawn off a lot of my emotions to the gods of blogging and maybe that's the coward's way of deal with things. But so be it. I realize that some of the things I say here may not make sense to anyone but me but honestly that is what I need and this is my blog and I have the right to say whatever I want on here (as long as I don't violate any law, of course). I have a feeling that some of my posts seem a bit on the bipolar side especially when it comes to the topic of boys (Chris in particular). Since I know some of my family reads this blog I want you to know that I am really ok. There will be no bridge-jumping in my future unless it's the only way I'll survive the impending apocalypse and whatnot.
The point I'm trying to get to is that this blog is my way of dealing with life. And with all the ups and downs that I've shared through this blog I really have to thank everyone who reads this blog because not only have you witnessed the twists and turns of my life you have also witnessed a girl falling in love with the art of writing. I realize that writing will be a part of my future no matter what else life has to throw at me.
I will also use this opportunity to apologize for future blog posts. I sense that this will be something of a melancholic week for me (even though tomorrow is my 19th birthday) and I'll be posting some super melancholic stuff. So all I ask is that you bear with me as I figure out life and whenever you want to feel free to tell me what you're thinking about my posts or whatever is going on in my life. If there's one thing I'm good at, it's taking constructive criticism.
Thank you for reading.
When I first started this blog it was to express my feelings about the politics of our age. So this was initially a political blog and now it's evolved into more of an online diary. The reason I write what I write is because I live in the selfish hope that what I'm feeling can help someone else. Another reason is that writing helps me work through the feelings I couldn't be able to work out in any other way. The most logical way would be to get a therapist but shrinks are expensive and I don't have that kind of cash floating around in my laundry pockets, so this blog is my shrink. What I write is free-thought all the way. I sign in and I just write. I don't even come up with a proper title for my posts until I am done writing whatever it is that comes out. I honestly don't plan out these posts most of the time. So what I write here is me. I say what I would normally say in real life. I really do think these things and I recognize the faults in myself through my diary blogging (which is the term I'm going to use for what I'm doing here...and as I write that I realize that should be the title of this post, so it will be). When I write the state of mind I'm in tends to be somewhat moody and I'm sorry about that. I pawn off a lot of my emotions to the gods of blogging and maybe that's the coward's way of deal with things. But so be it. I realize that some of the things I say here may not make sense to anyone but me but honestly that is what I need and this is my blog and I have the right to say whatever I want on here (as long as I don't violate any law, of course). I have a feeling that some of my posts seem a bit on the bipolar side especially when it comes to the topic of boys (Chris in particular). Since I know some of my family reads this blog I want you to know that I am really ok. There will be no bridge-jumping in my future unless it's the only way I'll survive the impending apocalypse and whatnot.
The point I'm trying to get to is that this blog is my way of dealing with life. And with all the ups and downs that I've shared through this blog I really have to thank everyone who reads this blog because not only have you witnessed the twists and turns of my life you have also witnessed a girl falling in love with the art of writing. I realize that writing will be a part of my future no matter what else life has to throw at me.
I will also use this opportunity to apologize for future blog posts. I sense that this will be something of a melancholic week for me (even though tomorrow is my 19th birthday) and I'll be posting some super melancholic stuff. So all I ask is that you bear with me as I figure out life and whenever you want to feel free to tell me what you're thinking about my posts or whatever is going on in my life. If there's one thing I'm good at, it's taking constructive criticism.
Thank you for reading.
April 7, 2011
Sometimes Only Heavy Metal Knows How You Feel
I get ribbed on a lot because I like heavy metal and dark metal music. But honestly what else do people listen to when they're pissed? Mozart? No if you listen to Mozart or Chopin when you are angry then the worst thing to ever happen to you in life was a paper cut (conclusion made on years of observation).
The combination of heavy guitar riffs, bass and drums just makes all the anger come out of my pores. When I start listening to a heavy metal song, I am one person; angry, possibly hating life. At the end of a song (or an entire album depending on how angry or frustrated I am) I am able to see the light again. The world becomes a more manageable place and life doesn't suck as much anymore. To you sweet poptart song lovers who think I sound demented or sick and whatnot GET OFF MY BLOG! Thank you have a good day.
To enjoy the pure craziness that comes with metal enjoy the following
This is one of my favorite songs from the 'Sucker Punch' soundtrack. Sucker Punch by the way was a great movie. Don't listen to the critics, I had a great time (I was slightly depressed at the end, but it was well worth it).
And here is the genius that is Till Lindemann and the band Rammstein with "Sonne" which is German for "the Sun." Richard Kruspe is a guitar genius! I show you the live video instead of the album version or the official video because it's easier to see the emotion Till puts into his words. I should add Till doesn't sound his best here because a) doing a live show is hard and b) this is well into the concert (almost at the end in fact) so the poor guy must have been tired at this point. Also there's fire. Rammstein loves fire. Bloody pyros haha!
And then there's Reise Reise (German for "Arise, Arise"). Demented as hell for those who speak German or have translating capabilities at hand (Google Translate?). This song is epic and so is the scenery and action that goes with it. I repeat, Richard Kruspe is a musical genius.
And finally, one of my favorite songs ever. German band Oomph's song "Ich will dich nie mehr sehen" (I never want to see you again). This song is the right mix of anger and melody. It's perfect for those horrific days you occasionally have when you want to yell at someone or at everyone but you just can't find it in yourself to do it. Just yell "Lass mich los du feiges Schwein, ich will dich nie mehr sehen!!!" Even if you don't speak German it's perfect!
So stay strong and if you're feeling weak or vengeful or whatever, remember that sometimes only heavy metal knows how you feel. If you are a metalhead be proud of who you are and what you represent.
The combination of heavy guitar riffs, bass and drums just makes all the anger come out of my pores. When I start listening to a heavy metal song, I am one person; angry, possibly hating life. At the end of a song (or an entire album depending on how angry or frustrated I am) I am able to see the light again. The world becomes a more manageable place and life doesn't suck as much anymore. To you sweet poptart song lovers who think I sound demented or sick and whatnot GET OFF MY BLOG! Thank you have a good day.
To enjoy the pure craziness that comes with metal enjoy the following
This is one of my favorite songs from the 'Sucker Punch' soundtrack. Sucker Punch by the way was a great movie. Don't listen to the critics, I had a great time (I was slightly depressed at the end, but it was well worth it).
And here is the genius that is Till Lindemann and the band Rammstein with "Sonne" which is German for "the Sun." Richard Kruspe is a guitar genius! I show you the live video instead of the album version or the official video because it's easier to see the emotion Till puts into his words. I should add Till doesn't sound his best here because a) doing a live show is hard and b) this is well into the concert (almost at the end in fact) so the poor guy must have been tired at this point. Also there's fire. Rammstein loves fire. Bloody pyros haha!
And then there's Reise Reise (German for "Arise, Arise"). Demented as hell for those who speak German or have translating capabilities at hand (Google Translate?). This song is epic and so is the scenery and action that goes with it. I repeat, Richard Kruspe is a musical genius.
And finally, one of my favorite songs ever. German band Oomph's song "Ich will dich nie mehr sehen" (I never want to see you again). This song is the right mix of anger and melody. It's perfect for those horrific days you occasionally have when you want to yell at someone or at everyone but you just can't find it in yourself to do it. Just yell "Lass mich los du feiges Schwein, ich will dich nie mehr sehen!!!" Even if you don't speak German it's perfect!
So stay strong and if you're feeling weak or vengeful or whatever, remember that sometimes only heavy metal knows how you feel. If you are a metalhead be proud of who you are and what you represent.
April 6, 2011
Hello My Name is Allie, and I'm a Self-Tortureholic
Before I continue I ask you to read the post below,
Did you read it? Because this post won't make sense to you unless you read it.
Ok now I'm assuming you've gone out of your way to read that last post. Good. Now I'll inform you that my declaration isn't going too well.
Less than 48 hours after that post was written, something strange (for me) happened. I was at dinner with my friend Lauren. It was supposed to be a quick dinner because I had to get to the opening ceremonies for my college's model UN conference. Because of this conference I was dressed up: black sweater dress, heels, matching pearl necklace and drop earrings, and my hair was banging. Lauren and I took our normal seats in the dining hall and went to get noms (food for you old people).
No sooner do I get on line (yes I say "on line" not "in line") than I looked over and there walking in were three of Chris' teammates.
My first thought: WTF?! This is North. You don't live here. Why are you here?
Second thought: Wait......if they're here....oh no!
But I didn't see Chris so I relaxed a little...until about 45 seconds later when I almost walked into dear Christopher. Yep, this is my life. How ridiculous is it? No sooner do I swear to move on from whatever is going on in my mind, the Fates decide to throw me a curve ball. I didn't even know that the Fates liked baseball, given they're Greek and all. Well screw you Fates! I don't remember putting you in charge! Grrrrr
Where was I? Oh yea, I almost ran into him. As if that wasn't enough they just had to sit at the next table over so that I had an almost direct view/line of sight with Chris (damn him and his pretty eyes) and of course because I'm me, lots of awkward eye contact ensued. Oh yea he knows who I am now but since my friend tried to play matchmaker all those weeks ago I don't know if he wants to get to know me any better than that. But the two times I caught him looking at me directly, I didn't look like he wanted to flay me alive...in fact he seemed to, uh how do I put this in a non-self serving manner, appreciate my, uh, curves as displayed by my body-hugging sweater dress. I won't lie and say I wasn't thrilled because I was dammit! I sashayed a bit more, I crossed and uncrossed my legs numerous times (I caught I little smile once when I did this but it could have been in response to the ridiculous crap he teammates were doing). Don't judge, I have nice legs, therefore I use them. I don't have much to display up top so I use what I got going for me capiche? I was a little girlier than I normally am so forgive me for enjoying the moment.
So that was the first thing. The second thing was later on that night as I was winding down from Day 1 of CIAC (Cornell International Affairs Conference), I was relaxing on a bean bag in Rachel's room and Rachel was perusing the glories of Facebook when she suddenly stopped talking mid-sentence and adopted a facial expression similar to a cat who just ate a canary. All she said was "Um, um, um, Allie?" That was usually an indication that something interesting was on her screen so I bolted across the room to see for myself. There on the screen was a picture of Chris dancing rather closely to a black girl. He seemed rather comfortable. And that made me ecstatically happy.
Now you may be a bit confused because seeing the guy you like getting close to another girl isn't exactly what any girl wants to see but then you don't understand the significance of this picture. He was dancing with a black girl who as far as I know isn't in a top tier sorority but was instead rocking box braids like any sistah would. What does this mean? HE LIKES BLACK CHICKS! I had based my prior reasoning that Chris and I could never ever EVER happen because he didn't seem to dig ethnic chicks and now this picture was proving me wrong.
While there are many more issues besides being partial to black chicks. I'm still hopeful. But I am also cautious. I am still attempting to keep myself open to the possibility of someone else out there being absolutely perfect for me.
Stay tuned!
Did you read it? Because this post won't make sense to you unless you read it.
Ok now I'm assuming you've gone out of your way to read that last post. Good. Now I'll inform you that my declaration isn't going too well.
Less than 48 hours after that post was written, something strange (for me) happened. I was at dinner with my friend Lauren. It was supposed to be a quick dinner because I had to get to the opening ceremonies for my college's model UN conference. Because of this conference I was dressed up: black sweater dress, heels, matching pearl necklace and drop earrings, and my hair was banging. Lauren and I took our normal seats in the dining hall and went to get noms (food for you old people).
No sooner do I get on line (yes I say "on line" not "in line") than I looked over and there walking in were three of Chris' teammates.
My first thought: WTF?! This is North. You don't live here. Why are you here?
Second thought: Wait......if they're here....oh no!
But I didn't see Chris so I relaxed a little...until about 45 seconds later when I almost walked into dear Christopher. Yep, this is my life. How ridiculous is it? No sooner do I swear to move on from whatever is going on in my mind, the Fates decide to throw me a curve ball. I didn't even know that the Fates liked baseball, given they're Greek and all. Well screw you Fates! I don't remember putting you in charge! Grrrrr
Where was I? Oh yea, I almost ran into him. As if that wasn't enough they just had to sit at the next table over so that I had an almost direct view/line of sight with Chris (damn him and his pretty eyes) and of course because I'm me, lots of awkward eye contact ensued. Oh yea he knows who I am now but since my friend tried to play matchmaker all those weeks ago I don't know if he wants to get to know me any better than that. But the two times I caught him looking at me directly, I didn't look like he wanted to flay me alive...in fact he seemed to, uh how do I put this in a non-self serving manner, appreciate my, uh, curves as displayed by my body-hugging sweater dress. I won't lie and say I wasn't thrilled because I was dammit! I sashayed a bit more, I crossed and uncrossed my legs numerous times (I caught I little smile once when I did this but it could have been in response to the ridiculous crap he teammates were doing). Don't judge, I have nice legs, therefore I use them. I don't have much to display up top so I use what I got going for me capiche? I was a little girlier than I normally am so forgive me for enjoying the moment.
So that was the first thing. The second thing was later on that night as I was winding down from Day 1 of CIAC (Cornell International Affairs Conference), I was relaxing on a bean bag in Rachel's room and Rachel was perusing the glories of Facebook when she suddenly stopped talking mid-sentence and adopted a facial expression similar to a cat who just ate a canary. All she said was "Um, um, um, Allie?" That was usually an indication that something interesting was on her screen so I bolted across the room to see for myself. There on the screen was a picture of Chris dancing rather closely to a black girl. He seemed rather comfortable. And that made me ecstatically happy.
Now you may be a bit confused because seeing the guy you like getting close to another girl isn't exactly what any girl wants to see but then you don't understand the significance of this picture. He was dancing with a black girl who as far as I know isn't in a top tier sorority but was instead rocking box braids like any sistah would. What does this mean? HE LIKES BLACK CHICKS! I had based my prior reasoning that Chris and I could never ever EVER happen because he didn't seem to dig ethnic chicks and now this picture was proving me wrong.
While there are many more issues besides being partial to black chicks. I'm still hopeful. But I am also cautious. I am still attempting to keep myself open to the possibility of someone else out there being absolutely perfect for me.
Stay tuned!
March 29, 2011
The Official Declaration
I have given up hope. Last month I recounted the story of a girl who liked a guy who has no idea she exists. That girl was me and that guy was named Chris. I no longer think that Chris has no idea who I am because a friend of mine made sure that he knew (more on that later) but I am officially calling it quits.
For background on the story read the original post here
Why am I pulling a Palin and quitting? Well it's all very simple. I may like him but the odds of him even wanting to get to know me is something like 1 in a 1,000,000,000,000,000,000 (I believe that is called a quintillion). Let's think of it in terms of levels or leagues if you will. Christopher is top level...I'm not. I'm not a haute couture wearing, top sorority sister. I'm not in DG or Kappa or Theta (but I do love my sorority and my sisters) and I am not an athlete (used to be) nor am I an heiress (waiting for a rich uncle to kick the bucket Jane Eyre style). All of these "nots" mean one thing, the chances of our paths crossing (outside of dining halls and passing each other on a Collegetown street. And that random class we had together but he never showed up unless there was a quiz) are very small. So small that I have come to the realization that it's just not going to happen. I know some of you who read this will say "Don't give up like that" or something having to do with me not being out of his league yadda yadda but let's face facts people (since I am not in the business of lying to myself) how many of you ever ended up with your crushes? Think about it. How many out of all of those guys/girls you wanted to get to know better ended up working out for you? (that was not a rhetorical question).
After everything is said and done, this may turn out to be nothing more than an exceptionally strong infatuation as my friend Aishani suggests. I don't wanna think that a guy could so easily get me to make such a fool out of myself but it is possible. I just know that I'll continue to like him until who knows when. However, no matter how strong my feelings for him are or will be in the future, I can't in good faith continue to torture myself like this. It's hard watching girls pop up on my news feed after writing on his wall and then realizing that these girls are all Anchor Slam t-shirt wearing-Delta Gammas or soccer playing Kappas. It's hard to realize that the guy you like probably doesnt care because he's got other bitches and hoes lined up around the corner, although I am told that he doesn't get much ass which seems weird to me.
Side note- on the topic of him not getting any ass...WHY THE HELL NOT? There's nothing wrong with him! He's really hot, like REALLY (at least I think so) and he looks good with scruff or without it, though Allie here prefers the scruff (I'm disturbed that I know this) and he's got a great future ahead of him. Sure he seems a bit douchey when you first meet him but nothing ever stopped any girl on this campus in her pursuit of some hot ass (this sounds rather degrading and what not but seriously the hook up culture here is ridiculous. One night stands are alive and well in the Ivy League). To clarify, I was never interested in Chris for purely sexual reasons (but he's hot), I honestly thought he was a good (and hot) guy who I'd love to get to know better even if it was only as a (super hot) friend (did I mention he was hot?). Which brings us back to our main point...
...Even with everything I've just said I know I'll still like him. But I can't allow myself to miss any other possible opportunities with great guys because I am so hung up on this low-probability match-up.
Gong back to something I mentioned earlier in this post, a friend of mine decided she was going to play wing woman for me and sent a lovely Facebook message to Chris. In this message she included my prior blog post about him (linked above) and talked about how great I am as a person (haha). It was a valiant effort on her part but he never responded and probably trashed it thinking that we were just some crazy people pulling a prank on him. LAWLZ right? -sigh- so goes my life
But one thing has resulted from all of this. Chris definitely knows who I am and he likes to stare...a lot. Recently in a dining hall my friends and I were eating lunch when he walked in with his posse. He sat on the other side of the room from me but I started noticing some staring going on. I may have just been paranoid and oversensitive but it was still a weird few minutes for me.
But yes, I am giving up. It's time to try to move on. I know it'll be a bit difficult for me but I'm trying.
For background on the story read the original post here
Why am I pulling a Palin and quitting? Well it's all very simple. I may like him but the odds of him even wanting to get to know me is something like 1 in a 1,000,000,000,000,000,000 (I believe that is called a quintillion). Let's think of it in terms of levels or leagues if you will. Christopher is top level...I'm not. I'm not a haute couture wearing, top sorority sister. I'm not in DG or Kappa or Theta (but I do love my sorority and my sisters) and I am not an athlete (used to be) nor am I an heiress (waiting for a rich uncle to kick the bucket Jane Eyre style). All of these "nots" mean one thing, the chances of our paths crossing (outside of dining halls and passing each other on a Collegetown street. And that random class we had together but he never showed up unless there was a quiz) are very small. So small that I have come to the realization that it's just not going to happen. I know some of you who read this will say "Don't give up like that" or something having to do with me not being out of his league yadda yadda but let's face facts people (since I am not in the business of lying to myself) how many of you ever ended up with your crushes? Think about it. How many out of all of those guys/girls you wanted to get to know better ended up working out for you? (that was not a rhetorical question).
After everything is said and done, this may turn out to be nothing more than an exceptionally strong infatuation as my friend Aishani suggests. I don't wanna think that a guy could so easily get me to make such a fool out of myself but it is possible. I just know that I'll continue to like him until who knows when. However, no matter how strong my feelings for him are or will be in the future, I can't in good faith continue to torture myself like this. It's hard watching girls pop up on my news feed after writing on his wall and then realizing that these girls are all Anchor Slam t-shirt wearing-Delta Gammas or soccer playing Kappas. It's hard to realize that the guy you like probably doesnt care because he's got other bitches and hoes lined up around the corner, although I am told that he doesn't get much ass which seems weird to me.
Side note- on the topic of him not getting any ass...WHY THE HELL NOT? There's nothing wrong with him! He's really hot, like REALLY (at least I think so) and he looks good with scruff or without it, though Allie here prefers the scruff (I'm disturbed that I know this) and he's got a great future ahead of him. Sure he seems a bit douchey when you first meet him but nothing ever stopped any girl on this campus in her pursuit of some hot ass (this sounds rather degrading and what not but seriously the hook up culture here is ridiculous. One night stands are alive and well in the Ivy League). To clarify, I was never interested in Chris for purely sexual reasons (but he's hot), I honestly thought he was a good (and hot) guy who I'd love to get to know better even if it was only as a (super hot) friend (did I mention he was hot?). Which brings us back to our main point...
...Even with everything I've just said I know I'll still like him. But I can't allow myself to miss any other possible opportunities with great guys because I am so hung up on this low-probability match-up.
Gong back to something I mentioned earlier in this post, a friend of mine decided she was going to play wing woman for me and sent a lovely Facebook message to Chris. In this message she included my prior blog post about him (linked above) and talked about how great I am as a person (haha). It was a valiant effort on her part but he never responded and probably trashed it thinking that we were just some crazy people pulling a prank on him. LAWLZ right? -sigh- so goes my life
But one thing has resulted from all of this. Chris definitely knows who I am and he likes to stare...a lot. Recently in a dining hall my friends and I were eating lunch when he walked in with his posse. He sat on the other side of the room from me but I started noticing some staring going on. I may have just been paranoid and oversensitive but it was still a weird few minutes for me.
But yes, I am giving up. It's time to try to move on. I know it'll be a bit difficult for me but I'm trying.
Facebook Depression
Researchers are now saying that Facebook depression can be a real thing
Read the article from Third Age here
All I've got to say about this is it's about time someone noticed this!
I've dealt with Facebook depression symptoms all of Spring Break. I don't mean to make light of depression and what leads up to it. I'm being fairly serious here. It's really hard to sit at home (with the air traffic from JFK annoying the crap out of you) and watch as your friends post pictures of their adventures in Miami, Puerto Rico and Iceland. And trust me those relationship updates can be like a knife to the heart ("Really Annoying Bitch Who Made Your Life A Living Hell in Middle School is now in a relationship with That Really Hot Guy You Really Really Liked in High School").
So while some people might laugh at this article and what it proposes, I assure you that Facebook depression is no laughing matter, as is any form of depression for that matter.
Read the article from Third Age here
All I've got to say about this is it's about time someone noticed this!
I've dealt with Facebook depression symptoms all of Spring Break. I don't mean to make light of depression and what leads up to it. I'm being fairly serious here. It's really hard to sit at home (with the air traffic from JFK annoying the crap out of you) and watch as your friends post pictures of their adventures in Miami, Puerto Rico and Iceland. And trust me those relationship updates can be like a knife to the heart ("Really Annoying Bitch Who Made Your Life A Living Hell in Middle School is now in a relationship with That Really Hot Guy You Really Really Liked in High School").
So while some people might laugh at this article and what it proposes, I assure you that Facebook depression is no laughing matter, as is any form of depression for that matter.
March 28, 2011
Re: Twitter Mania
CAVED AND MADE A TWITTER
A friend of mine saw my last post and challenged me to create a Twitter account and see what it's all about. I still don't fully get it but I've only been active for an hour or so (and in that hour I've tweeted 10 times, followed 65 people/companies, and gained 5 followers. Allie like so far). I might actually like this. Hmmm as if I didn't already have enough to continually distract me.
OH MY GOD WHAT HAVE I BECOME?! I TWEET (therefore I am?)
(slo-mo) NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Correction - now it's 11 tweets
Correction #2 - 12 tweets...
A friend of mine saw my last post and challenged me to create a Twitter account and see what it's all about. I still don't fully get it but I've only been active for an hour or so (and in that hour I've tweeted 10 times, followed 65 people/companies, and gained 5 followers. Allie like so far). I might actually like this. Hmmm as if I didn't already have enough to continually distract me.
OH MY GOD WHAT HAVE I BECOME?! I TWEET (therefore I am?)
(slo-mo) NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Correction - now it's 11 tweets
Correction #2 - 12 tweets...
Twitter Mania
News Flash: Twitter mania has officially penetrated Cornell University. Gannett urges everyone to be cautious at this time as the risk for the spread of Twitter mania continues to grow. Symptoms to look out for include: a sudden urge to summarize everything in your life in 140 characters or less, sudden ability to "Follow" by clicking a single button, and knowing the minute details of multiple strangers lives by checking one main screen. If you believe that you are currently suffering from Twitter mania or know of someone who suffers from the symptoms described above please stay indoors to prevent the spread of this disease.
Too late! Everyone I know has a Twitter account now. I don't know what it is about this thing but I have yet to get sucked in by the evil force that is Twitter. I am not a Tweeter (at least not yet) and I won't be until I have something to tweet about (but I do know that the past tense of "Tweet" is "Tweeted" not "Twat" as I've heard some people say). Some of my friends are writers for the school newspaper and sports blogs and such so they have legitimate reasons for creating a Twitter account. I however don't have one. I don't think the world wants to know about my constant issues with the rest of society (and if people are interested then that's what this blog is for).
So the Twitter bug has passed me by for now but I have a feeling that it isn't done with me yet.
Stay tuned for updates on this News Flash and more.
UPDATE: While taking a survey for a Cornell class this question popped up
and then there was this one
If anyone is spending at least 3 hours on Twitter, what the hell are you doing on there?! Please I want to know!
Too late! Everyone I know has a Twitter account now. I don't know what it is about this thing but I have yet to get sucked in by the evil force that is Twitter. I am not a Tweeter (at least not yet) and I won't be until I have something to tweet about (but I do know that the past tense of "Tweet" is "Tweeted" not "Twat" as I've heard some people say). Some of my friends are writers for the school newspaper and sports blogs and such so they have legitimate reasons for creating a Twitter account. I however don't have one. I don't think the world wants to know about my constant issues with the rest of society (and if people are interested then that's what this blog is for).
So the Twitter bug has passed me by for now but I have a feeling that it isn't done with me yet.
Stay tuned for updates on this News Flash and more.
UPDATE: While taking a survey for a Cornell class this question popped up
March 17, 2011
A Tale of Two Tickets
One thing I love about Cornell is the absolute diversity of the student body. 122 countries and all 50 states are represented here and as a result multiple viewpoints are a part of the norm here. There are plenty of conservatives on this campus but I have to admit that the conservative way of thinking often gets lost in the sea of liberalism that is so readily embraced here. But today I present to you the tale of two tickets. This tale expresses just how diverse the political spectrum is here at lovely (and surprisingly warm) Cornell.
As with every good tale these days it all begins with facebook. In all of the 12 (yes 12!) event invitations, I received a few days ago, two events caught my eye. One was called "An Evening with Keith Olbermann '79." Keith Olbermann, a well-known Cornell grad and until recently host of Countdown with Keith Olbermann on MSNBC, was coming to Cornell! YAY! Mr. Olbermann was an idol of mine right up until I realized that his show was based only on his undying hatred of Ann Coulter, Rush Limbaugh and Bill O'Reilly. I am not a fan of these people either but I certainly would not make them the centerpiece in my primetime show. Regardless I was excited at the prospect of meeting Herr Olbermann, so I happily clicked the "I'm Attending" button.
The second event was "Karl Rove: Thoughts on 2012." Yes that's right, Karl Rove. For anyone even remotely knowledgeable of American politics has come to know this name as one of the most infamous figures ever to have existed. There is no doubt that Rove is an excellent political strategist. He managed to get George Bush, one of the most hated figures of the 21st century (though the century is still young) elected to the Presidency TWICE. You may hate Karl Rove but you can't deny that the man's got skills and style.
So yesterday my friend Rachel and I packed up from our brief lunch and headed over to the ticket office in Willard Straight Hall. Once there we dutifully collected our two tickets each; one for Karl Rove and one for Keith Olbermann. Both events within a week of each other, hosted by different clubs on campus and each with a decidedly different goal and topic. The tale that is to be told with the help of these two tickets is sure to be extraordinary. And with that I place my tickets in my top drawer, ready for the respective dates printed clearly at the top of each.
I can't help thinking, "I'm so damn glad I didn't have to pay for these."
Until next time.
As with every good tale these days it all begins with facebook. In all of the 12 (yes 12!) event invitations, I received a few days ago, two events caught my eye. One was called "An Evening with Keith Olbermann '79." Keith Olbermann, a well-known Cornell grad and until recently host of Countdown with Keith Olbermann on MSNBC, was coming to Cornell! YAY! Mr. Olbermann was an idol of mine right up until I realized that his show was based only on his undying hatred of Ann Coulter, Rush Limbaugh and Bill O'Reilly. I am not a fan of these people either but I certainly would not make them the centerpiece in my primetime show. Regardless I was excited at the prospect of meeting Herr Olbermann, so I happily clicked the "I'm Attending" button.
The second event was "Karl Rove: Thoughts on 2012." Yes that's right, Karl Rove. For anyone even remotely knowledgeable of American politics has come to know this name as one of the most infamous figures ever to have existed. There is no doubt that Rove is an excellent political strategist. He managed to get George Bush, one of the most hated figures of the 21st century (though the century is still young) elected to the Presidency TWICE. You may hate Karl Rove but you can't deny that the man's got skills and style.
So yesterday my friend Rachel and I packed up from our brief lunch and headed over to the ticket office in Willard Straight Hall. Once there we dutifully collected our two tickets each; one for Karl Rove and one for Keith Olbermann. Both events within a week of each other, hosted by different clubs on campus and each with a decidedly different goal and topic. The tale that is to be told with the help of these two tickets is sure to be extraordinary. And with that I place my tickets in my top drawer, ready for the respective dates printed clearly at the top of each.
I can't help thinking, "I'm so damn glad I didn't have to pay for these."
Until next time.
March 15, 2011
Dating Issues- Life as an Oreo
Being an Oreo in the USA is not an easy task.
For those not familiar with the term Oreo, I turn to our friends at urban dictionary to educate you.
For those not familiar with the term Oreo, I turn to our friends at urban dictionary to educate you.
Oreo- A black person who is said to "act white" because of the way they dress, talk, or act. Someone who does not play in to "acting black" and believes that there is no way to "act black". Someone who typically hangs out with whites, or gets along well with whites.
Sometimes blacks take being called an oreo as an offense, but others might take it as being called a "classy black", someone who did not grow up in the projects so has no particular reason to be someone they aren't in order to fit in well with the black community.
Sometimes blacks take being called an oreo as an offense, but others might take it as being called a "classy black", someone who did not grow up in the projects so has no particular reason to be someone they aren't in order to fit in well with the black community.
Example - Caleb is such an oreo. He's always going up north to snowboard and lives up in rich country with the white folks.
Thank you urban dictionary.
While some people may take Oreo to be derogatory, I am not the type that is easily offended therefore I really don't care. As an Oreo blogger, I feel obligated to detail the trials and tribulations of my fellow Oreos and so I officially christen the "Oreo Series" *cracks open champagne bottle* (that champagne is for drinking my friends). Now settle back and learn about the trials and tribulations of an Oreo in the USA.
First off, it's not easy being an Oreo, especially for me since I'm as Oreo as they come. Not only do I "act white" and "speak white" I also have a strong liking for white meat over dark meat, if you catch my drift. For those who haven't gotten it yet I LOVE ME SOME WHITE MEN! That's right I dig the vanilla flavor, the white bread if you will.
Now let me clarify, I have nothing against black men. I have found numerous black men to be handsome and decent however I have yet to be attracted (physically, sexually or in any other form) to a black guy. I have no trouble admitting this in public and as a result this has landed me in hot water multiple times. White girls laugh it off but black girls break out the armor and start preparing for war. You would think I'd just declared myself the next Messiah or something.
"Why are you so racist against your own people?"
"What is wrong with you? Are you stupid?"
"What black people ain't good enough for you or something?"
Woah girls! Put on the brakes. Time out. First off, in order, No.Nothing.No.That's not it at all.
I have never thought of myself as above other black people and to imply that this is why I like white men is a ridiculous assertion completely baseless. I didn't just suddenly wake up and decide to like white guys, I've always felt like this. And while I struggle to explain the reasons behind my love of white men I can't shake the feeling that I shouldn't have to explain myself. But I'll try any way, right here.
I guess the most accurate way to explain it would be that the physical features that attract me to a guy are more likely to be found in a white men rather than in a black man. Caucasian facial features just seem more appealing to me and I am such a sucker for blue and green eyes. A guy flashing his blue peepers at me is the quickest way to get my ice cold heart to melt (I have long Ithaca winters to thank for the freezing state of my heart). I love the combination of dark hair with light eyes and yes I love me some blonds as well. I can't help it. I literally go weak in the knees when these combos show up. Flash a picture of Ryan Reynolds and my heart will give the Cornell Pep Band's percussion section a run for it's money. Flash a picture of Taye Diggs and while I'll agree he's a handsome man, my pulse will probably be close to zero.
So sue me. Call me racist if you want. Honestly nothing anyone says will make me spontaneously change my mind. My very first crush was Carter Grayson the Red Lightspeed Power Ranger not that cowboy black dude who was Green Ranger. And even the cowboy was liking some of the white meat ie Ms. Fairweather the WHITE lead character in the show. Which brings me to a slight double standard, when a black man dates a white woman, black girls blame the white girl for "stealing/seducing a brother," but heaven forbid a black chica like me show any interest in a white man then I'm a "traitor" to the black race.
-sigh-
So this is my life and these are the questions I always get about my choice in men. Forgive me for liking what I like but in the end I answer only to myself and not the rest of the world. So when it comes to sisters hating on me, all I have left to say is mind your own business and screw you!
First off, it's not easy being an Oreo, especially for me since I'm as Oreo as they come. Not only do I "act white" and "speak white" I also have a strong liking for white meat over dark meat, if you catch my drift. For those who haven't gotten it yet I LOVE ME SOME WHITE MEN! That's right I dig the vanilla flavor, the white bread if you will.
Now let me clarify, I have nothing against black men. I have found numerous black men to be handsome and decent however I have yet to be attracted (physically, sexually or in any other form) to a black guy. I have no trouble admitting this in public and as a result this has landed me in hot water multiple times. White girls laugh it off but black girls break out the armor and start preparing for war. You would think I'd just declared myself the next Messiah or something.
"Why are you so racist against your own people?"
"What is wrong with you? Are you stupid?"
"What black people ain't good enough for you or something?"
Woah girls! Put on the brakes. Time out. First off, in order, No.Nothing.No.That's not it at all.
I have never thought of myself as above other black people and to imply that this is why I like white men is a ridiculous assertion completely baseless. I didn't just suddenly wake up and decide to like white guys, I've always felt like this. And while I struggle to explain the reasons behind my love of white men I can't shake the feeling that I shouldn't have to explain myself. But I'll try any way, right here.
I guess the most accurate way to explain it would be that the physical features that attract me to a guy are more likely to be found in a white men rather than in a black man. Caucasian facial features just seem more appealing to me and I am such a sucker for blue and green eyes. A guy flashing his blue peepers at me is the quickest way to get my ice cold heart to melt (I have long Ithaca winters to thank for the freezing state of my heart). I love the combination of dark hair with light eyes and yes I love me some blonds as well. I can't help it. I literally go weak in the knees when these combos show up. Flash a picture of Ryan Reynolds and my heart will give the Cornell Pep Band's percussion section a run for it's money. Flash a picture of Taye Diggs and while I'll agree he's a handsome man, my pulse will probably be close to zero.
So sue me. Call me racist if you want. Honestly nothing anyone says will make me spontaneously change my mind. My very first crush was Carter Grayson the Red Lightspeed Power Ranger not that cowboy black dude who was Green Ranger. And even the cowboy was liking some of the white meat ie Ms. Fairweather the WHITE lead character in the show. Which brings me to a slight double standard, when a black man dates a white woman, black girls blame the white girl for "stealing/seducing a brother," but heaven forbid a black chica like me show any interest in a white man then I'm a "traitor" to the black race.
-sigh-
So this is my life and these are the questions I always get about my choice in men. Forgive me for liking what I like but in the end I answer only to myself and not the rest of the world. So when it comes to sisters hating on me, all I have left to say is mind your own business and screw you!
March 10, 2011
SΣΣING GRΣΣK
Before I begin I must admit that I didn't do my research properly before coming to Cornell. As a result I had no idea how big the Greek community here was until I actually got here. When I say "Greek" I don't mean "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" Greek, I mean sorority/fraternity Greek. Cornell is kind of an anomaly when it comes to this.
In no other Ivy does the Greek system play such a pivotal role in college life (at least to my knowledge. I don't make it my business to nose around in other colleges since I have enough to think about here...PRELIMS!). Last time I checked at least 30% of Cornellians were Greek-affiliated. That's 1/3rd of all Cornell students were in a sorority or a fraternity. In any school that's a pretty hefty percentage. You can't walk around anywhere on campus without seeing frat letters printed on a sweatshirt or sorority letters printed on a tote bag. It is EVERYWHERE! Monday morning conversations usually go something like this
Girl 1: Oh my God! I had so much fun on Saturday.
Girl 2: Where did you go? Delta Chi or Chi Psi?
Girl 1: Both! It was great.
Girl 2: Oh I was at Delta Chi but I didn't see you.
Girl 1: That's because it was crammed!
Girl 2: I know!
Girl 1: Haha.
*pause*
Girl 2: Did you finish the problem set?
What the above conversation (which I actually overheard a while back) demonstrates is a typical Cornellians ability to incorporate aspects of Greek life (parties etc.) within normal student life (problem sets...ewwwww). Honestly, we do it quite well. But going back to that 30% Greek statistic, just because those people are the ones going Greek it doesn't mean that they are the only ones involved in Greek life. Here GDIs are just as involved when it comes to parties and chillin' with the Greeks. For the untrained a GDI is code for God Damned Independent, someone who does not have Greek letters (not in a frat or a sorority). To be honest this is *Ithaca* and there's not much else to do, so we party it up Greek style. Being as isolated as we are probably plays a role in how important the frats and sororities on this campus are to student life. But for the most part we don't complain.
Granted many have just accepted that the frats and sororities essentially run this university. Looking at the Student Assembly many of it's members are Greek and many of the important/big name organizations are headed by or are in part run by Greeks. Some of the biggest benefactors of Cornell are Greek alums. While sometimes this can be a pain in the butt since Greeks of course tend to want to advance the Greek agenda, we have to remember once again that 30% of the students on this campus are Greek and therefore whatever happens in the student government etc. will affect them as a group the most. Does this mean we ignore the rest? No, duh, even though 30% is a big number 70% is still bigger (I can do math. WOOT!) For those 70% it is still important for their voices to be heard and we should not deny them that right, nor are there any plans to do so. Some have decided that the time for a war on Greek life is at hand (for reasons to be discussed later when I have found the right words with which to articulate them) but honestly folks, Cornell would not be Cornell without Greek life. To take that away would undo the fabric of Cornell society. Where would we be then?
But for now (and hopefully for a while yet) Cornell University in sunny Ithaca, New York* will continue to see Greek.
*Ithaca is only sunny for 2-3 months a year...we have not reached those months. I shall weep (and trudge through knee-high snow) until we do.
In no other Ivy does the Greek system play such a pivotal role in college life (at least to my knowledge. I don't make it my business to nose around in other colleges since I have enough to think about here...PRELIMS!). Last time I checked at least 30% of Cornellians were Greek-affiliated. That's 1/3rd of all Cornell students were in a sorority or a fraternity. In any school that's a pretty hefty percentage. You can't walk around anywhere on campus without seeing frat letters printed on a sweatshirt or sorority letters printed on a tote bag. It is EVERYWHERE! Monday morning conversations usually go something like this
Girl 1: Oh my God! I had so much fun on Saturday.
Girl 2: Where did you go? Delta Chi or Chi Psi?
Girl 1: Both! It was great.
Girl 2: Oh I was at Delta Chi but I didn't see you.
Girl 1: That's because it was crammed!
Girl 2: I know!
Girl 1: Haha.
*pause*
Girl 2: Did you finish the problem set?
What the above conversation (which I actually overheard a while back) demonstrates is a typical Cornellians ability to incorporate aspects of Greek life (parties etc.) within normal student life (problem sets...ewwwww). Honestly, we do it quite well. But going back to that 30% Greek statistic, just because those people are the ones going Greek it doesn't mean that they are the only ones involved in Greek life. Here GDIs are just as involved when it comes to parties and chillin' with the Greeks. For the untrained a GDI is code for God Damned Independent, someone who does not have Greek letters (not in a frat or a sorority). To be honest this is *Ithaca* and there's not much else to do, so we party it up Greek style. Being as isolated as we are probably plays a role in how important the frats and sororities on this campus are to student life. But for the most part we don't complain.
Granted many have just accepted that the frats and sororities essentially run this university. Looking at the Student Assembly many of it's members are Greek and many of the important/big name organizations are headed by or are in part run by Greeks. Some of the biggest benefactors of Cornell are Greek alums. While sometimes this can be a pain in the butt since Greeks of course tend to want to advance the Greek agenda, we have to remember once again that 30% of the students on this campus are Greek and therefore whatever happens in the student government etc. will affect them as a group the most. Does this mean we ignore the rest? No, duh, even though 30% is a big number 70% is still bigger (I can do math. WOOT!) For those 70% it is still important for their voices to be heard and we should not deny them that right, nor are there any plans to do so. Some have decided that the time for a war on Greek life is at hand (for reasons to be discussed later when I have found the right words with which to articulate them) but honestly folks, Cornell would not be Cornell without Greek life. To take that away would undo the fabric of Cornell society. Where would we be then?
But for now (and hopefully for a while yet) Cornell University in sunny Ithaca, New York* will continue to see Greek.
*Ithaca is only sunny for 2-3 months a year...we have not reached those months. I shall weep (and trudge through knee-high snow) until we do.
February 17, 2011
The Most Remarkable Woman in the World
Everyone has that one person they look up to for inspiration and for guidance. Some people have pop stars and movie stars as role models and I see no problem with this, even if your role model is Lindsay Lohan (if you could call her a movie star at this point). But as much as I envy the life of movie stars (except for the paparazzi and lack of privacy bit), I do not look up to them for life skills and examples on how to live a full and meaningful life. The one person I consider to be the most remarkable person in the world is my mother.
Yes that sounds rather cliche but let me explain why and then maybe she'll be your role model too (she would love it).
My mother had me when she was a young twenty-something housewife, barely out of college. She took charge of an entire household at an age when I am sure I would be completely non-functional as a wife/mother/decent human being. But the most important part of my reasoning lies with what she did later on in her life.
She left a comfortable life in Jamaica (WARM) to seek a better life for us ("us" being me and her. Dad was out of the picture by this time) in New York City (COLD). She left everything she knew including most of her family and friends in an effort to find something more, something better. That takes an extreme amount of bravery and self-confidence. I am sure she was scared to a certain degree but she never showed it.
The next big step in her life came when she decided to go back to school to pursue the career she had always wanted. And after a few years in school, my mother became a Registered Nurse. On the day of her graduation I had never seen a happier woman in the world. She had struggled in her first years in America but had overcome everything and in ten years achieved what some never do. She loved her new career she loved her new life and she loved everything she had steadily built over the years.
While a career in nursing is most definitely not in the cards for me, I still hope to find what my mother found (doesn't everyone?). My mother's life is the story of a successful woman who took the hits as they came and dealt with them in the most graceful manner. In all honesty I swear that my mother would make a better Queen of England than the actual Queen of England (sorry Lizzie but she's just better than you). In fact my mother should be Queen of the World. That's right THE WORLD! Everyone could benefit from her skills and rationality.
Although my mom and I have our fights (sometimes some big ones) I know that a few minutes later it'll be like it never happened and we'll be friends again. No matter what she's my mother and she will always be the most remarkable woman in the world.
Yes that sounds rather cliche but let me explain why and then maybe she'll be your role model too (she would love it).
My mother had me when she was a young twenty-something housewife, barely out of college. She took charge of an entire household at an age when I am sure I would be completely non-functional as a wife/mother/decent human being. But the most important part of my reasoning lies with what she did later on in her life.
She left a comfortable life in Jamaica (WARM) to seek a better life for us ("us" being me and her. Dad was out of the picture by this time) in New York City (COLD). She left everything she knew including most of her family and friends in an effort to find something more, something better. That takes an extreme amount of bravery and self-confidence. I am sure she was scared to a certain degree but she never showed it.
The next big step in her life came when she decided to go back to school to pursue the career she had always wanted. And after a few years in school, my mother became a Registered Nurse. On the day of her graduation I had never seen a happier woman in the world. She had struggled in her first years in America but had overcome everything and in ten years achieved what some never do. She loved her new career she loved her new life and she loved everything she had steadily built over the years.
While a career in nursing is most definitely not in the cards for me, I still hope to find what my mother found (doesn't everyone?). My mother's life is the story of a successful woman who took the hits as they came and dealt with them in the most graceful manner. In all honesty I swear that my mother would make a better Queen of England than the actual Queen of England (sorry Lizzie but she's just better than you). In fact my mother should be Queen of the World. That's right THE WORLD! Everyone could benefit from her skills and rationality.
Although my mom and I have our fights (sometimes some big ones) I know that a few minutes later it'll be like it never happened and we'll be friends again. No matter what she's my mother and she will always be the most remarkable woman in the world.
February 12, 2011
Presenting the Charlotte Checkers
This video features Charlotte Checkers center Riley Nash, who left Cornell after his junior year. He is signed with the Carolina Hurricanes but currently plays with their affiliate team the Checkers. This video never fails to make me laugh. GO CHECKERS!!!
February 11, 2011
Friday
It's one of those great days of the week, Friday. After classes and work you know you can relax and afford to be lazy. What a special day. Time to party! Woot!
February 5, 2011
February 3, 2011
A classic case of girl-likes-boy-who-doesn't-know-she-exists.
Why do I get so easily flustered and frustrated? Who the hell knows 'cause I really have no idea.
The latest source of my frustration is rooted in my feelings for a boy (men...*grumble*). His name is Chris. I've never had a conversation with him when he wasn't drunk and he probably has no idea I exist besides the girl that wishes him "Happy Birthday" or "Have a great game tonight" on his Facebook page. He is also a varsity athlete and is actually damn good (whenever they let him play) at his game.
Confession: I've actually liked Chris since maybe November of 2009 but I let my friends think I liked one of his teammates (who shall go unnamed for the moment). This belief was perpetuated by a slightly sexual dream featuring said teammate, which I shared with my friends the next day. Apparently I ruined swimming for my dear friends for a few months because of the details of that dream (suck it!). Granted my obvious love for those of Swedish origin has been duly noted multiple times on this blog as well as verbally, however this teammate (who is Swedish) did not catch my fancy as much as my friends may have thought. And for a while denying Chris' growing place in my mind and making fun of him for his apparent love of pussies (the feline kind, thank you) and annoyance at his teammates love of photostalking him (and subsequently using his old profile pictures as their own, much to the amusement of my friends and myself) helped me detach a little from him and what I thought about him.
The dark side (insert Darth Vader joke here): Everyone I meet that knows Chris, says something related to him being an asshole and/or a douchebag. I'm sure that there is some truth to this but honestly if it is true then I REALLY DON'T CARE and I know I should but I just don't. He's a really good athlete and has a right to be somewhat arrogant. Yes I know that this will start the debate as to why athletes always think they're such hot shit yaddayaddadoodah but for some reason when it comes to Chris I don't care. I've also had to deal with people (ie my friends) jokingly calling him "the Collegetown creeper" or "Creeper Chris" because somehow they've deduced that he "just looks like he would be a creeper." I don't know what that means since in my opinion he's quite an attractive man. I have no idea how they reached this conclusion but I honestly would love to know. An explanation would be nice.
The Line: I would like to think that I've dealt with all of the jokes about Chris quite well...up until this point. This is the real reason behind this blog post. Somewhere, a line was crossed. All of the jokes started to get me second guessing and severely impacted my self esteem during my weak periods. I started wondering if maybe the only guys I could attract or be attracted to were creeps. I began to think that maybe it would just be best to become asexual and completely forget about Chris. It didn't work. In fact, Chris helped expedite my plan's failure when he suddenly decided to appear all over my news feed on Facebook and appear everywhere I was with my friends, even showing up to dinner in the oddest places. Every time I thought he'll definitely won't be somewhere was always the time he would show up.
Don't drop the "L" bomb: No I do not love him. I cannot love someone I do not know. I simply would like to get to know him better. Too bad I don't have the guts to even say hi offline. Hell, I can't even say hi on Facebook chat. What kind of bs is that? I'm a coward plain and simple. And until now I've settled for the quick glances across a dining hall (awkward eye contact much?) and now I wonder what to do about all of this "noise" going on in my mind.
The Twisting of the Knife: Not only does Chris barely know who I am (he probably knows my face, my name however is not likely to be in his vocabulary) but he seems to prefer one of my friends altogether. Yes, he'll wave like a goof and say hi to her but nothing for me the girl who happens to like him enough that she spent 30 minutes defending him and his ability to play (as well as his behavior) to drunken frat brothers. Nope not a damn thing for me.
The sensible thing here would be to move on and forget about him.
I however, appear to have lost my ability to be sensible.
If I did move on I would be left with so many what if's. I don't want that, I just want coffee at CTB on a lazy Sunday morning. Too much to ask?
The latest source of my frustration is rooted in my feelings for a boy (men...*grumble*). His name is Chris. I've never had a conversation with him when he wasn't drunk and he probably has no idea I exist besides the girl that wishes him "Happy Birthday" or "Have a great game tonight" on his Facebook page. He is also a varsity athlete and is actually damn good (whenever they let him play) at his game.
Confession: I've actually liked Chris since maybe November of 2009 but I let my friends think I liked one of his teammates (who shall go unnamed for the moment). This belief was perpetuated by a slightly sexual dream featuring said teammate, which I shared with my friends the next day. Apparently I ruined swimming for my dear friends for a few months because of the details of that dream (suck it!). Granted my obvious love for those of Swedish origin has been duly noted multiple times on this blog as well as verbally, however this teammate (who is Swedish) did not catch my fancy as much as my friends may have thought. And for a while denying Chris' growing place in my mind and making fun of him for his apparent love of pussies (the feline kind, thank you) and annoyance at his teammates love of photostalking him (and subsequently using his old profile pictures as their own, much to the amusement of my friends and myself) helped me detach a little from him and what I thought about him.
The dark side (insert Darth Vader joke here): Everyone I meet that knows Chris, says something related to him being an asshole and/or a douchebag. I'm sure that there is some truth to this but honestly if it is true then I REALLY DON'T CARE and I know I should but I just don't. He's a really good athlete and has a right to be somewhat arrogant. Yes I know that this will start the debate as to why athletes always think they're such hot shit yaddayaddadoodah but for some reason when it comes to Chris I don't care. I've also had to deal with people (ie my friends) jokingly calling him "the Collegetown creeper" or "Creeper Chris" because somehow they've deduced that he "just looks like he would be a creeper." I don't know what that means since in my opinion he's quite an attractive man. I have no idea how they reached this conclusion but I honestly would love to know. An explanation would be nice.
The Line: I would like to think that I've dealt with all of the jokes about Chris quite well...up until this point. This is the real reason behind this blog post. Somewhere, a line was crossed. All of the jokes started to get me second guessing and severely impacted my self esteem during my weak periods. I started wondering if maybe the only guys I could attract or be attracted to were creeps. I began to think that maybe it would just be best to become asexual and completely forget about Chris. It didn't work. In fact, Chris helped expedite my plan's failure when he suddenly decided to appear all over my news feed on Facebook and appear everywhere I was with my friends, even showing up to dinner in the oddest places. Every time I thought he'll definitely won't be somewhere was always the time he would show up.
Don't drop the "L" bomb: No I do not love him. I cannot love someone I do not know. I simply would like to get to know him better. Too bad I don't have the guts to even say hi offline. Hell, I can't even say hi on Facebook chat. What kind of bs is that? I'm a coward plain and simple. And until now I've settled for the quick glances across a dining hall (awkward eye contact much?) and now I wonder what to do about all of this "noise" going on in my mind.
The Twisting of the Knife: Not only does Chris barely know who I am (he probably knows my face, my name however is not likely to be in his vocabulary) but he seems to prefer one of my friends altogether. Yes, he'll wave like a goof and say hi to her but nothing for me the girl who happens to like him enough that she spent 30 minutes defending him and his ability to play (as well as his behavior) to drunken frat brothers. Nope not a damn thing for me.
The sensible thing here would be to move on and forget about him.
I however, appear to have lost my ability to be sensible.
If I did move on I would be left with so many what if's. I don't want that, I just want coffee at CTB on a lazy Sunday morning. Too much to ask?
January 27, 2011
Student Stress Levels Skyrocketing...someone should do something about that
It's four days into the new semester and already my mind feels overloaded and blown out. How is this possible? This has never happened before. I mean I did have to switch around my (still unfinished) schedule maybe three times in the last three days but seriously this is just plain weird. Dear Prez Skorty do me a favor and tell the profs to go easy on us. Just this once. No? Ugh! Ok then. FINE!
Let the semester begin.
Let the semester begin.
On the Matter of Tucson
On January 8th, 2011 I was playing around with my new BlackBerry Torch. You know how it goes with these fancy smartphones (email setup: check, various app downloads all free: check). Just as I had my email all configured I immediately received a News Alert from the New York Times with the title "Congresswoman Shot in Tucson, AZ." How's that for a first email message? I don't mean to seem callous but that is precisely what I thought when I saw the message. At this point I hadn't opened the alert yet so I had absolutely no idea how serious the incident was. I assumed that she was shot maybe in the arm, the leg, you know something non life-threatening. I have a history of hoping for the best and being disappointed. I opened the email. My heart sank.
There in black and white was the horrible severity of what had happened. Gabrielle Giffords was shot in the head, right through the brain. She wasn't the only one, at least a dozen others injured with two dead. As the minutes ticked by the casualty count increased as did the death toll. Finally, the absolute final numbers. Twenty injured, six dead. Initially, Rep. Gabby Giffords was reported among the dead and I learned that she was one of us, a Cornellian. It hurt more. I mourned for her the only way I could think of. I broadcast my feelings as a Facebook/BlackBerry Messenger status and through vigorous texting and phone calls with friends. For people who had never known Gabrielle Giffords, we the current Cornellians became surprisingly devoted to our (at the time assumed to be) deceased counterpart. She was one of us and with her death a link in the chain would be lost. Sappy, I know but it's damn true.
If I may take the focus off of Tucson for a moment (excuse any seeming callousness that results from this), I think it is important to note that this campus has been through so much in the last year. We have lost six of our fellow students to suicide, one to murder in a foreign country and yet another to a horrific accident. In addition we had to deal with such intense media scrutiny after three suicides in less than a month. A campus that wanted to mourn internally had to do so publicly.
For a big campus with such a large enrollment, one thing that makes Cornell so unique, I believe, is the atmosphere of a family. You can't walk across this campus without stopping to talk to three people and waving and nodding to ten more. We are a family. We complain and bitch about each other and this school and all the work we have to do but when it comes down to it we turn into Tyler Perry's Madea the minute someone messes with anyone who has ever had the distinction of calling themselves a Cornellian. So upon hearing that Gabby Giffords was dead, Cornellians whether we were black or white or Democrat or Republican or an international student without a care for American politics, took to social media to express their furor and sadness. While the media showed America mourning along with the families of the dead (still assuming at the time that Mrs.Giffords was among the dead), Facebook and Tumblr showed Cornell mourning one of its own. We take this kind of thing VERY personally. I don't cry easily...I spent ten minutes bawling those big ugly sobs.
And then on the Huffington Post's live blog I saw the news SHE WASN'T DEAD! My dear reader, I can assure you that Cornell University breathed a collective sigh of relief. This dreary winter time campus (even though we were all far away from it for winter break), in the middle of Nowheresville, NY rejoiced for the life of one of it's own. And then we realized that there was more to the story. There was a little girl of only 9 years old who had left the world much too soon. There were the mothers, sisters, aunts, brothers and most importantly innocent human beings who had left before it was their time.
By now you've all heard the story, seen the mini-bios on various news networks so I don't need to reiterate for you. All of these people were important and valued members of our society and none deserved to die in that manner. In this post I will not investigate the causes of this shooting. I shall save that for a later date as the conflict rages on in the media. This post is simply to honor the lives lost and to reflect and remember. It is also a post from one Cornellian to another. To Gabrielle Giffords and her family please remember that you have another family, a thousand miles away in a little town called Ithaca. We love you and we pray for you (even me the sacrilegious heathen on the hill). We will never forget you and we believe that you will make a full recovery.
You are one of us and you always will be.
There in black and white was the horrible severity of what had happened. Gabrielle Giffords was shot in the head, right through the brain. She wasn't the only one, at least a dozen others injured with two dead. As the minutes ticked by the casualty count increased as did the death toll. Finally, the absolute final numbers. Twenty injured, six dead. Initially, Rep. Gabby Giffords was reported among the dead and I learned that she was one of us, a Cornellian. It hurt more. I mourned for her the only way I could think of. I broadcast my feelings as a Facebook/BlackBerry Messenger status and through vigorous texting and phone calls with friends. For people who had never known Gabrielle Giffords, we the current Cornellians became surprisingly devoted to our (at the time assumed to be) deceased counterpart. She was one of us and with her death a link in the chain would be lost. Sappy, I know but it's damn true.
If I may take the focus off of Tucson for a moment (excuse any seeming callousness that results from this), I think it is important to note that this campus has been through so much in the last year. We have lost six of our fellow students to suicide, one to murder in a foreign country and yet another to a horrific accident. In addition we had to deal with such intense media scrutiny after three suicides in less than a month. A campus that wanted to mourn internally had to do so publicly.
For a big campus with such a large enrollment, one thing that makes Cornell so unique, I believe, is the atmosphere of a family. You can't walk across this campus without stopping to talk to three people and waving and nodding to ten more. We are a family. We complain and bitch about each other and this school and all the work we have to do but when it comes down to it we turn into Tyler Perry's Madea the minute someone messes with anyone who has ever had the distinction of calling themselves a Cornellian. So upon hearing that Gabby Giffords was dead, Cornellians whether we were black or white or Democrat or Republican or an international student without a care for American politics, took to social media to express their furor and sadness. While the media showed America mourning along with the families of the dead (still assuming at the time that Mrs.Giffords was among the dead), Facebook and Tumblr showed Cornell mourning one of its own. We take this kind of thing VERY personally. I don't cry easily...I spent ten minutes bawling those big ugly sobs.
And then on the Huffington Post's live blog I saw the news SHE WASN'T DEAD! My dear reader, I can assure you that Cornell University breathed a collective sigh of relief. This dreary winter time campus (even though we were all far away from it for winter break), in the middle of Nowheresville, NY rejoiced for the life of one of it's own. And then we realized that there was more to the story. There was a little girl of only 9 years old who had left the world much too soon. There were the mothers, sisters, aunts, brothers and most importantly innocent human beings who had left before it was their time.
By now you've all heard the story, seen the mini-bios on various news networks so I don't need to reiterate for you. All of these people were important and valued members of our society and none deserved to die in that manner. In this post I will not investigate the causes of this shooting. I shall save that for a later date as the conflict rages on in the media. This post is simply to honor the lives lost and to reflect and remember. It is also a post from one Cornellian to another. To Gabrielle Giffords and her family please remember that you have another family, a thousand miles away in a little town called Ithaca. We love you and we pray for you (even me the sacrilegious heathen on the hill). We will never forget you and we believe that you will make a full recovery.
You are one of us and you always will be.
Happy New Year!
Ummm sorry about the wait everyone. I got caught up in doing a whole bunch of stuff and then I (shockingly) forgot about the existence of my own blog (I know right?!) for a little while. But I swear that from this point on you shall see the blog you know and love. Give me some time. I'm working on a few things right now. HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!
January 2, 2011
What's your opinion on the current Health Care Reform situation and abortion?
Health Care Reform = good but I don't like all of the terms. I am also pro-choice. I would never have an abortion myself but what other people do with their body is most definitely not my business.
what was the biggest thing u regret doing for a friend
Saying I did something I didn't do to cover up for something. A little white lie so nothing bad but still. Oh and breaking up with another friend's boyfriend for her.
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