This is intended for everyone who hates reading fanfictions or books that are very fairytale-like. Its purpose is to reccomend this book, "Valiant" as a read because of its very realistic view.
The neon green sword gleamed at me, centring the dark background that told unspoken tales of the dark side. Written by Holly Black (also the author of "Tithe" and "Ironside"), "Valiant" tells the tale of a teen runaway living with her new street friends in the city's underground subway system. Valerie, who is seventeen, finds there is more to the world than simply tales of supernatural creatures. And she discovers that unlike the fairytale stories of unicorns and mermaids, the "faeries" of the real world are very different; and very dark.
The style of writing Holly Black uses does not spin beautiful prose of beautiful places, but it's a rather blunt and straightforward approach to describing the slums of the city and the people who inhabit it. Despite this, it is still written very well and has also received many titles such as "Winner of the Andre Norton Award for young adult fiction" and "An ALA Best Book for Young Adults".
I find this book intoxicating and very real because it doesn't sugarcoat things or spin tales of honour and righteousness and beauty. "Valiant" is blunt and realistic; not to mention edgy. A stark contrast to many other books like, oh, say "Twilight"? And also, although very dark "Valiant" isn't completely a downer. There is a very nice conclusion that could have gone much worse, and there is a rather obvious romantic interest for Valerie in the story.
But what happens and who it is? Well, you'll have to read and find out, won't you?
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
The Gold Mine Of Epiphanies
This is intended for everyone who hates fashion magazines and "following the trend" in any way. Its purpose is to show that even if something is popular, it doesn't necessarily mean its stupid or useless. I mean, there has to be a reason its popular in the first place, right?
It was just lying there on the table, baiting me to sit down and flip through it. With a beautiful model dressed in beautiful clothes adorning the majority of the front page, I skimmed across all the advertisments littering the sides of the cover page. "Your Perfect New Haircut", "Spring Shopping Special", and other kinds of advice was thrown at me in cute pink lettering. Opening the "Fashion" magazine was like indulging in a guilty pleasure, which I was too happy to comply.
The first thing to hit my eyes was, of course, an advertisement. I skipped the ads, finding the table of contents and running my finger down the various titles. Besides the many pages of commercial advertising, I managed to find many articles that piqued my interest. Tips on make-up, some articles here and there, and some great places to find great clothes were only some of the useful things the Fashion magazine had to offer.
I "ooh"ed and "ahh"ed at a few of the photography compilations of clothes, and also laughed quite a lot at others. Despite many people commenting on fashion magazines in general being a fallacy that is only intended to lure you into conformity, I found it a refreshing place for new style ideas. Flipping through all the pages gave me new ideas on how to mix and match my clothing, without buying anything additional.
When you look past the advertisements in popular fashion magazines today, the tips given to you in these colour-filled pages seem more and more like a gold mine for your imagination to grow.
It was just lying there on the table, baiting me to sit down and flip through it. With a beautiful model dressed in beautiful clothes adorning the majority of the front page, I skimmed across all the advertisments littering the sides of the cover page. "Your Perfect New Haircut", "Spring Shopping Special", and other kinds of advice was thrown at me in cute pink lettering. Opening the "Fashion" magazine was like indulging in a guilty pleasure, which I was too happy to comply.
The first thing to hit my eyes was, of course, an advertisement. I skipped the ads, finding the table of contents and running my finger down the various titles. Besides the many pages of commercial advertising, I managed to find many articles that piqued my interest. Tips on make-up, some articles here and there, and some great places to find great clothes were only some of the useful things the Fashion magazine had to offer.
I "ooh"ed and "ahh"ed at a few of the photography compilations of clothes, and also laughed quite a lot at others. Despite many people commenting on fashion magazines in general being a fallacy that is only intended to lure you into conformity, I found it a refreshing place for new style ideas. Flipping through all the pages gave me new ideas on how to mix and match my clothing, without buying anything additional.
When you look past the advertisements in popular fashion magazines today, the tips given to you in these colour-filled pages seem more and more like a gold mine for your imagination to grow.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Uniquely Yours
This is intended for anyone whose ever just simply followed the crowd. Its purpose is to show that even though its okay to be part of a group, its also important to be yourself.
There are so many things in this world that are the same. Same hair colours, same nationalities, and also there is exactly the same clothing on the majority of the population. (Can you say Hollister?) Sure, mass production is nice and builds profit, and the mundane task of making your own clothes is now non-existent, but it seems like there's no more originality in the world anymore. Thankfully, there is a form of escape from the norm of plain tank tops and identical sneakers. There's "Bobsmade"!
"Bobsmade" is a website that advertises the personalization of clothing items. The owner, Bobsmade, lives in Germany and uses his or her artistic talent to personalize a variety of clothing and accessories. Shoes, shirts, bags, headphones, you name it, Bobsmade'll probably personalize it! Best thing about his or her work? It's waterproof! Bobsmade uses acrylic paint and waterproof pens so they won't wash away, and the paint won't crack for a long time. (Although if you want to wash away the paint, that can also be easily done.)
The prices range from item to item. Some can be as inexpensive as $33 (not including the price of the actual item being personalized) to as expensive as $117! Although, all things considered, it's not a bad price. Bobsmade takes at least two weeks to create and finish the design, and that's not including actually getting the product to you. Considering he or she ships globally as well (which takes another one or two weeks), you're looking at four grueling weeks of waiting! Talk about suspense...
But it's all worth it to finally have it with you. Your shoes or shirt that's like everyone elses, but at the same time uniquely your own. Because even though we look to belong, there will always be a part of us that wishes to stand out.
There are so many things in this world that are the same. Same hair colours, same nationalities, and also there is exactly the same clothing on the majority of the population. (Can you say Hollister?) Sure, mass production is nice and builds profit, and the mundane task of making your own clothes is now non-existent, but it seems like there's no more originality in the world anymore. Thankfully, there is a form of escape from the norm of plain tank tops and identical sneakers. There's "Bobsmade"!
"Bobsmade" is a website that advertises the personalization of clothing items. The owner, Bobsmade, lives in Germany and uses his or her artistic talent to personalize a variety of clothing and accessories. Shoes, shirts, bags, headphones, you name it, Bobsmade'll probably personalize it! Best thing about his or her work? It's waterproof! Bobsmade uses acrylic paint and waterproof pens so they won't wash away, and the paint won't crack for a long time. (Although if you want to wash away the paint, that can also be easily done.)
The prices range from item to item. Some can be as inexpensive as $33 (not including the price of the actual item being personalized) to as expensive as $117! Although, all things considered, it's not a bad price. Bobsmade takes at least two weeks to create and finish the design, and that's not including actually getting the product to you. Considering he or she ships globally as well (which takes another one or two weeks), you're looking at four grueling weeks of waiting! Talk about suspense...
But it's all worth it to finally have it with you. Your shoes or shirt that's like everyone elses, but at the same time uniquely your own. Because even though we look to belong, there will always be a part of us that wishes to stand out.
Monday, April 27, 2009
A Century Of Phantom
This is intended for anyone who likes musicals or opera music. Its purpose is to inform readers of the movie the "Phantom of the Opera", and its utterly enchanting music and horrifying story plot.
A man with a horrible face, but an even more beautiful voice and the story of his young and innocent pupil of song, and her noble childhood friend. It's a love triangle that has been kept alive for over a hundred years, originally written as a horror novel by Gaston Leroux. Andrew Llyod Webber then took it and created songs for it, effectively turning "The Phantom of the Opera" into a stunning musical that still captivates its audiences today.
The "Phantom of the Opera" is the story of Christine Daae, a young employee of the "Opera Populaire" who turns from dancer to singer in a single night. The person who pulled the strings? Why, none other than the "Phantom" of Opera Populaire, a mysterious man with a white mask covering half his face. The "Phantom of the Opera" tells the tale of a horrifying love triangle between Christine Daae, the phantom, and the young viscount Raoul de Changy.
The "Phantom of the Opera" is a musical that started more than twenty years ago by the amazing Andrew Llyod Webber. Before it changed into a musical, originally the "Phantom of the Opera" was simply a play and a story - a novel. It's a little strange to just make this story a play, when the setting is in an opera house. So when Webber wrote songs for the "Phantom of the Opera", it instantly became a hit. Not because of just the fact that music was added, but because the music was so captivating and entrancing. The songs of the musical have many different "feels". "The Phantom of the Opera", a self-titled song, is hauntingly beauitful whereas "The Point Of No Return" is passionate and raging with ferocity. Simply listening to the music struck many chords in my heart.
The cinematography was excellently done; especially the opening scene where we see the transition from the opera house of the future to the one of the past. At first, the acting didn't seem realistic to me, but I took into account the fact that the "Phantom of the Opera" took place a very long time ago (it was written in 1909). Christine Daae's costumes also dazzled me, with the full skirts and the many ruffles and lace. It prompted me to rethink my wedding dress, interestingly enough.
Overall, the "Phantom of the Opera" is filled to the brim with hauntingly captivating music and a very different theme. It has been entrancing people for a hundred years, and will continue to do so for another hundred years.
A man with a horrible face, but an even more beautiful voice and the story of his young and innocent pupil of song, and her noble childhood friend. It's a love triangle that has been kept alive for over a hundred years, originally written as a horror novel by Gaston Leroux. Andrew Llyod Webber then took it and created songs for it, effectively turning "The Phantom of the Opera" into a stunning musical that still captivates its audiences today.
The "Phantom of the Opera" is the story of Christine Daae, a young employee of the "Opera Populaire" who turns from dancer to singer in a single night. The person who pulled the strings? Why, none other than the "Phantom" of Opera Populaire, a mysterious man with a white mask covering half his face. The "Phantom of the Opera" tells the tale of a horrifying love triangle between Christine Daae, the phantom, and the young viscount Raoul de Changy.
The "Phantom of the Opera" is a musical that started more than twenty years ago by the amazing Andrew Llyod Webber. Before it changed into a musical, originally the "Phantom of the Opera" was simply a play and a story - a novel. It's a little strange to just make this story a play, when the setting is in an opera house. So when Webber wrote songs for the "Phantom of the Opera", it instantly became a hit. Not because of just the fact that music was added, but because the music was so captivating and entrancing. The songs of the musical have many different "feels". "The Phantom of the Opera", a self-titled song, is hauntingly beauitful whereas "The Point Of No Return" is passionate and raging with ferocity. Simply listening to the music struck many chords in my heart.
The cinematography was excellently done; especially the opening scene where we see the transition from the opera house of the future to the one of the past. At first, the acting didn't seem realistic to me, but I took into account the fact that the "Phantom of the Opera" took place a very long time ago (it was written in 1909). Christine Daae's costumes also dazzled me, with the full skirts and the many ruffles and lace. It prompted me to rethink my wedding dress, interestingly enough.
Overall, the "Phantom of the Opera" is filled to the brim with hauntingly captivating music and a very different theme. It has been entrancing people for a hundred years, and will continue to do so for another hundred years.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Earth's Worst Enemy
This is intended for everyone who thinks violence is horrible, and for everyone who has been violent before. It's purpose is to show that the real blame isn't on guns and missiles and terrorists; it's on us.
"EIT". Enhanced Interrogation Techniques. Another word for it would be, "torture".
Yes, you read that right. Torture.
The US CIA has been using EIT's on terrorists to gain information to "save American lives". What they haven't taken into account is that by using this acquired information, they are still killing lives. They may not be American lives, but they are lives none the less. Of course, when taken into account that a war is going on between America and Iraq, I'm fairly sure both countries don't give two shits about the other side. (I apologize for my profanity.)
It's all very horrible, yes I know. Torturing captured people to gain information to kill more people isn't morally right. It never will be. But the matter of the fact is, that it's happening and there's close to nothing we can to about it. EIT's will not stop being used simply because President Obama has revealed that they're being used in the first place. The war with Iraq won't end because you want Canadian soldiers to come back home. All the calamity in our world isn't going to go away because we want it to go away.
Because the simple truth is that violence and destruction and chaos isn't because of terrorists and guns and weapons of mass destruction. Nuclear warfare, and exploding missiles aren't Earth's worst enemy. Guns don't shoot themselves, missiles don't launch because they want to; a punch isn't thrown because our fists have minds of their own. We pulled the trigger, we pushed the button, and we threw the punch. We're Earth's worst enemy, and if you haven't realized that then you are in serious need of a reality check.
But we can try to stop it. We can rise up as a nation and make our voice be heard. We can stop trying to pick fights and stop lending our help to the bullies who are picking the fights. We can suppress that raging desire to sock someone right across the face because they pushed our buttons a little too hard. There are so many things we can do; so many things we can try. But we have to be willing to take that chance.
So my real question for you isn't "what are you going to do to stop these 'enhanced interrogation techniques'."
It's, "what are you going to do to stop yourself?"
"EIT". Enhanced Interrogation Techniques. Another word for it would be, "torture".
Yes, you read that right. Torture.
The US CIA has been using EIT's on terrorists to gain information to "save American lives". What they haven't taken into account is that by using this acquired information, they are still killing lives. They may not be American lives, but they are lives none the less. Of course, when taken into account that a war is going on between America and Iraq, I'm fairly sure both countries don't give two shits about the other side. (I apologize for my profanity.)
It's all very horrible, yes I know. Torturing captured people to gain information to kill more people isn't morally right. It never will be. But the matter of the fact is, that it's happening and there's close to nothing we can to about it. EIT's will not stop being used simply because President Obama has revealed that they're being used in the first place. The war with Iraq won't end because you want Canadian soldiers to come back home. All the calamity in our world isn't going to go away because we want it to go away.
Because the simple truth is that violence and destruction and chaos isn't because of terrorists and guns and weapons of mass destruction. Nuclear warfare, and exploding missiles aren't Earth's worst enemy. Guns don't shoot themselves, missiles don't launch because they want to; a punch isn't thrown because our fists have minds of their own. We pulled the trigger, we pushed the button, and we threw the punch. We're Earth's worst enemy, and if you haven't realized that then you are in serious need of a reality check.
But we can try to stop it. We can rise up as a nation and make our voice be heard. We can stop trying to pick fights and stop lending our help to the bullies who are picking the fights. We can suppress that raging desire to sock someone right across the face because they pushed our buttons a little too hard. There are so many things we can do; so many things we can try. But we have to be willing to take that chance.
So my real question for you isn't "what are you going to do to stop these 'enhanced interrogation techniques'."
It's, "what are you going to do to stop yourself?"
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Hijacking Makes Jamaica "Dangerous"!
This is intended for anyone who likes to travel. Its purpose is to show that just because a country has had an airport whose security has been breached, it doesn't mean the country is necessarily a dangerous place.
A plane in Jamaica that was headed for Cuba was hijacked. Luckily, all passengers got out safely and without injuries. Despite this relief, the question remains: how did the hijacker get past airport security?
An investigation is being conducted about the breach. The only thing we know at this point is the hijacker is a" mentally challenged" person, and he was able to pass all the security in Jamaica with a gun on his person. It seems like a very baffling situation, until you start to think about the options. It is most likely an inside job, with the attacker Stephen Fray having a partner-in-crime.
Of course the real issue isn't with the actual deed itself, but where it was taken place. Jamaica. Many people will probably remark that the country is now very unsafe to go to and try to avoid it at all costs. But they don't take into consideration the fact that this happens everywhere in the world. Jamaica just happened to house the wrong person in its country, and that person just happened to be "mentally challenged".
Its still unclear whether or not Stephen Fray will be properly charged for his hijacking (seeing as Vaz proclaimed him "mentally challenged), but we can only be grateful that the people on that plane weren't injured, and hope that this doesn't happen again; anywhere. (Although it most likely will.)
A plane in Jamaica that was headed for Cuba was hijacked. Luckily, all passengers got out safely and without injuries. Despite this relief, the question remains: how did the hijacker get past airport security?
An investigation is being conducted about the breach. The only thing we know at this point is the hijacker is a" mentally challenged" person, and he was able to pass all the security in Jamaica with a gun on his person. It seems like a very baffling situation, until you start to think about the options. It is most likely an inside job, with the attacker Stephen Fray having a partner-in-crime.
Of course the real issue isn't with the actual deed itself, but where it was taken place. Jamaica. Many people will probably remark that the country is now very unsafe to go to and try to avoid it at all costs. But they don't take into consideration the fact that this happens everywhere in the world. Jamaica just happened to house the wrong person in its country, and that person just happened to be "mentally challenged".
Its still unclear whether or not Stephen Fray will be properly charged for his hijacking (seeing as Vaz proclaimed him "mentally challenged), but we can only be grateful that the people on that plane weren't injured, and hope that this doesn't happen again; anywhere. (Although it most likely will.)
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
The Blame Game
This is intended for anyone who thinks they can get away with lying. The purpose is to show that there will always be contradictions with your lies, and even if you are never found out, it will come back to bite you in the butt later. (Karma, people.)
Madonna, or rather her spokesperson Liz Rosenburg, claims that Thomas Hinton (a paparazzi photographer) scared her horse when he jumped out of the bushes, causing her to crash to the ground. Although her injuries weren't serious ("minor injuries" and some bruises), they could have been, as the last time she fell Madonna cracked three of her ribs and broke her collarbone and her hand. It makes a person wonder why someone would be so callous as to scare a horse when his "target", per say, is riding on it.
But the worst of it is his blatant lie to get out of trouble. Honestly, Madonna would have never suffered that tumble if the horse wasn't spooked in the first place. And the horse wouldn't be spooked if there was no, oh let's see, paparazzi hiding in the bushes readying himself to jump out and scare it.
Hinton claims he was on a public road and photographed her before and after her fall. He claims he didn't see her actually fall from her horse. But if he was tipped off that Madonna was in Hampton, wouldn't he follow her around all day and snap photographs of her once he's found her? Surely he wouldn't snap photos of Madonna, take a five-minute break at a coffee shop and then go looking for her again?
Certainly not. That would be called, "losing the trail".
So it is quite obvious to believe that Thomas Hinton was there when Madonna took her fall, because he was the one that instigated it.
Madonna, or rather her spokesperson Liz Rosenburg, claims that Thomas Hinton (a paparazzi photographer) scared her horse when he jumped out of the bushes, causing her to crash to the ground. Although her injuries weren't serious ("minor injuries" and some bruises), they could have been, as the last time she fell Madonna cracked three of her ribs and broke her collarbone and her hand. It makes a person wonder why someone would be so callous as to scare a horse when his "target", per say, is riding on it.
But the worst of it is his blatant lie to get out of trouble. Honestly, Madonna would have never suffered that tumble if the horse wasn't spooked in the first place. And the horse wouldn't be spooked if there was no, oh let's see, paparazzi hiding in the bushes readying himself to jump out and scare it.
Hinton claims he was on a public road and photographed her before and after her fall. He claims he didn't see her actually fall from her horse. But if he was tipped off that Madonna was in Hampton, wouldn't he follow her around all day and snap photographs of her once he's found her? Surely he wouldn't snap photos of Madonna, take a five-minute break at a coffee shop and then go looking for her again?
Certainly not. That would be called, "losing the trail".
So it is quite obvious to believe that Thomas Hinton was there when Madonna took her fall, because he was the one that instigated it.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Adoption At A Price
This is intended for all parents. It's purpose is to express how desperate people will get sometimes for money.
Rubina Ali's father attempts to sell his child to a tabloid reporter posing as an interested Arab sheikh. This type of behaviour questions the integrity of the young girl's father, who claims "I declined" the offer of the reporter in disguise. But that contradicts the information provided by The News of the World. They claimed Qureshi demanded 20 million rupees (400 000 dollars), for the adoption of his daughter. I believe Qureshi was lying when he claimed he denied selling his daughter, because Rubina's mother claimed to have overheard his intention concerning Rubina prior to the actual meeting. Also, if he had no intentions of selling his own daughter, would he not have gone to the meeting in the first place? Quershi actually accepted to meet the man who had approached him with the offer to buy his daughter.
With a newspaper, his daughter's mother, and his own foolishness, Quershi cannot pretend to have declined the offer of the "wealthy Arab sheikh". He cannot pretend he was unwilling to sell his own daughter for money.
Rubina Ali's father attempts to sell his child to a tabloid reporter posing as an interested Arab sheikh. This type of behaviour questions the integrity of the young girl's father, who claims "I declined" the offer of the reporter in disguise. But that contradicts the information provided by The News of the World. They claimed Qureshi demanded 20 million rupees (400 000 dollars), for the adoption of his daughter. I believe Qureshi was lying when he claimed he denied selling his daughter, because Rubina's mother claimed to have overheard his intention concerning Rubina prior to the actual meeting. Also, if he had no intentions of selling his own daughter, would he not have gone to the meeting in the first place? Quershi actually accepted to meet the man who had approached him with the offer to buy his daughter.
With a newspaper, his daughter's mother, and his own foolishness, Quershi cannot pretend to have declined the offer of the "wealthy Arab sheikh". He cannot pretend he was unwilling to sell his own daughter for money.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
The Former Richest Man In The World
This is intended for all ages. It's purpose is to show that sometimes you're so hell bent on getting more that you fail to notice what you already have.
Bill Gates: (sobbing) I-I mean, how could he just take it all away?!
Michelle: But... you still have like, billions of dollars.
Bill Gates: (wails) It's not the same!!
Michelle: Oh for the love of Warren...
Bill: That's him! That's the guy who stole my title! My precious title... (sobs)
Michelle: It can't be that bad. I mean, seriously you can still be richer than him.
Bill: Really?
Michelle: Well, yeah. All you have to do is make more money, right? You could try investing in some stocks...
Bill: Warren got rich off investing. It just might work! Ha! Buffett, you're going down!
(Bill prances off to continue his scheme of reclaiming his title.)
Michelle: Rich people are incredibly baffling...
Bill Gates: (sobbing) I-I mean, how could he just take it all away?!
Michelle: But... you still have like, billions of dollars.
Bill Gates: (wails) It's not the same!!
Michelle: Oh for the love of Warren...
Bill: That's him! That's the guy who stole my title! My precious title... (sobs)
Michelle: It can't be that bad. I mean, seriously you can still be richer than him.
Bill: Really?
Michelle: Well, yeah. All you have to do is make more money, right? You could try investing in some stocks...
Bill: Warren got rich off investing. It just might work! Ha! Buffett, you're going down!
(Bill prances off to continue his scheme of reclaiming his title.)
Michelle: Rich people are incredibly baffling...
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Oprah And Hot Dogs
This is intended for anyone who tends to overwork themselves. Its purpose is to show that while working hard is good, sometimes you need to take a breather for yourself and that's perfectly fine.
Oprah: I haven't had one of these in forever!
Michelle: I never really liked hot dogs. Unless my mom's friend makes them.
Oprah: Oh, is that why you got a sausage instead?
Michelle: Yep.
(Michelle and Oprah begin to eat their hot dog/sausage.)
Oprah: I almost forgot what a hot dog tastes like.
Michelle: I guess that happens when you're rich and famous and have oodles of money to spend. It sucks for us normal folk.
Oprah: I don't know about that. Being a celebrity gets a little... tiring sometimes.
Michelle: You mean in between the host talking and other miscellaneous charitable things you have to do?
Oprah: Well... yes. I was scheduled to speak at a charity convention right now, but I chose to come here and eat hot dogs with you! Is that strange?
Michelle: No. Celebrities need breaks more than any of us. You guys are under so much pressure. It's good to take a breather every now and then, so long as you don't make a huge habit of it.
Oprah: Of course, you're right, you're right. (Pause) Well I'm glad I took this opportunity. Thank you for inviting me out for hot dogs. I feel much better now.
Michelle: No problem. You paid for it, so I'm good.
Oprah: I haven't had one of these in forever!
Michelle: I never really liked hot dogs. Unless my mom's friend makes them.
Oprah: Oh, is that why you got a sausage instead?
Michelle: Yep.
(Michelle and Oprah begin to eat their hot dog/sausage.)
Oprah: I almost forgot what a hot dog tastes like.
Michelle: I guess that happens when you're rich and famous and have oodles of money to spend. It sucks for us normal folk.
Oprah: I don't know about that. Being a celebrity gets a little... tiring sometimes.
Michelle: You mean in between the host talking and other miscellaneous charitable things you have to do?
Oprah: Well... yes. I was scheduled to speak at a charity convention right now, but I chose to come here and eat hot dogs with you! Is that strange?
Michelle: No. Celebrities need breaks more than any of us. You guys are under so much pressure. It's good to take a breather every now and then, so long as you don't make a huge habit of it.
Oprah: Of course, you're right, you're right. (Pause) Well I'm glad I took this opportunity. Thank you for inviting me out for hot dogs. I feel much better now.
Michelle: No problem. You paid for it, so I'm good.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Conversing With Our Father
This is intended for everyone. Its purpose is to remind everyone that no matter how much you believe your religion or your views are right, you'll never really know until you die. Because if you die and go to heaven, obviously there's a god. If not... well, good luck with that.
Michelle: I don't believe you exist.
Adam: Then why do I stand before you now?
Michelle: I dunno. Maybe you're some creepy homeless man pretending to be Adam.
Adam: You think in strange ways, child. Do you oppose our God?
Michelle: I don't oppose him. I just don't believe in him. Like I don't believe in you.
Adam: That is a puzzling statement, daughter.
Michelle: I'm not your daughter.
Adam: You have descended from me, as all the others of this planet. You are all brothers and sisters, and you are all my children.
Michelle: Yeah... that's gross.
Adam: It is what I have stated it is.
Michelle: Well, whatever.
(Silence)
Adam: Child, if you do not believe in our God, then what is it that brings you fulfillment?
Michelle: Nothing.
Adam: Nothing?
Michelle: That's right.
Adam: Surely there must be something, dear child.
Michelle: Well... I guess I kinda believe in reincarnation. Does that count?
Adam: An interesting theory, child. But our God still reins in a world of his children.
Michelle: True. Christianity and Catholicism is pretty much apparent everywhere in the world.
Adam: So you agree?
Michelle: Yeah. But I still don't think there's a god.
Adam: How do you know for sure, child?
Michelle: I don't. But I guess I'll find out when I die.
Adam: Quite a long wait, is it not?
Michelle: I'd prefer it that way.
(Adam vanishes into thin air.)
Michelle: I don't believe you exist.
Adam: Then why do I stand before you now?
Michelle: I dunno. Maybe you're some creepy homeless man pretending to be Adam.
Adam: You think in strange ways, child. Do you oppose our God?
Michelle: I don't oppose him. I just don't believe in him. Like I don't believe in you.
Adam: That is a puzzling statement, daughter.
Michelle: I'm not your daughter.
Adam: You have descended from me, as all the others of this planet. You are all brothers and sisters, and you are all my children.
Michelle: Yeah... that's gross.
Adam: It is what I have stated it is.
Michelle: Well, whatever.
(Silence)
Adam: Child, if you do not believe in our God, then what is it that brings you fulfillment?
Michelle: Nothing.
Adam: Nothing?
Michelle: That's right.
Adam: Surely there must be something, dear child.
Michelle: Well... I guess I kinda believe in reincarnation. Does that count?
Adam: An interesting theory, child. But our God still reins in a world of his children.
Michelle: True. Christianity and Catholicism is pretty much apparent everywhere in the world.
Adam: So you agree?
Michelle: Yeah. But I still don't think there's a god.
Adam: How do you know for sure, child?
Michelle: I don't. But I guess I'll find out when I die.
Adam: Quite a long wait, is it not?
Michelle: I'd prefer it that way.
(Adam vanishes into thin air.)
Dance Lessons With Mary Murphy
This is intended for anyone who likes watching So You Think You Can Dance. Its purpose is to put a little light on some of Mary Murphy's life before becoming a judge, and also to show that you can always start something later in life, but you just need the dedication to succeed in it.
Michelle: You were a champion ballroom dancer?
Mary: Of course. You have to be pretty damn good to judge on a TV show, I'm tellin' ya.
Michelle: That's so cool! I've always wanted to learn dance, but I'm too lazy. (laughs)
Mary: Laziness is an absolute no-no in dance. You gotta be hardworking and dedicated! Like some of the competitors on "So You Think You Can Dance".
Michelle: Those people are crazy good.
Mary: (sighs) Reminds me of my younger days.
Michelle: So what did you do after you retired from competitive dancing?
Mary: Focused on my dance school. I became a dance double for some movies too.
Michelle: Seriously?! Which ones?
Mary: "Something To Talk About" and "Dance With Me".
Michelle: Never heard of them.
Mary: You were probably too young to watch them.
Michelle: Probably. (Pause) Hey, if I started learning dance now, do you think I could be any good?
Mary: What kind of a question is that? Of course you can! It'll be harder, sure, but as long as you're dedicated to learning and not lazy, it's a no brainer.
Michelle: Cool! (Pause) Wanna teach me?
Mary: Fork up some money and we'll see.
Michelle: But your lessons are so expensive!
Mary: Tough nuts, kid.
Michelle: You were a champion ballroom dancer?
Mary: Of course. You have to be pretty damn good to judge on a TV show, I'm tellin' ya.
Michelle: That's so cool! I've always wanted to learn dance, but I'm too lazy. (laughs)
Mary: Laziness is an absolute no-no in dance. You gotta be hardworking and dedicated! Like some of the competitors on "So You Think You Can Dance".
Michelle: Those people are crazy good.
Mary: (sighs) Reminds me of my younger days.
Michelle: So what did you do after you retired from competitive dancing?
Mary: Focused on my dance school. I became a dance double for some movies too.
Michelle: Seriously?! Which ones?
Mary: "Something To Talk About" and "Dance With Me".
Michelle: Never heard of them.
Mary: You were probably too young to watch them.
Michelle: Probably. (Pause) Hey, if I started learning dance now, do you think I could be any good?
Mary: What kind of a question is that? Of course you can! It'll be harder, sure, but as long as you're dedicated to learning and not lazy, it's a no brainer.
Michelle: Cool! (Pause) Wanna teach me?
Mary: Fork up some money and we'll see.
Michelle: But your lessons are so expensive!
Mary: Tough nuts, kid.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
To Run In The Rain
This is intended for everyone who prefers to look at the glass half-empty. Its purpose is to show that maybe you should try looking on the brighter side, because not only is it a nice change, it brings about positive feelings. It might even change your life for the better.
I told them it was going to rain, but would they listen to me? Nope. I told them to bring an umbrella, but would they listen? Still no. What am I, chopped liver? They should know by now that I have a really freaky way of predicting the weather; it's been happening since I was seven!
Oh joy. Now my cute new pink shirt is drenched in rainwater. And my converse. And my white pants. Hopefully that doesn't become sheer and show everyone my bunny-patterned panties. That would majorly suck, especially since I can spot a few cute guys loitering around...
Even though I'm getting soaked to the bone, I still have to admit that running around in the rain is fun. Liberating, even. The sound of my shoes against the wet cement sounds nice, and the cold rain is a nice contrast to the humidity of the restaurant we were just in. It feels good to run in the rain.
But although running in the rain is fun, dancing in it is way better.
I told them it was going to rain, but would they listen to me? Nope. I told them to bring an umbrella, but would they listen? Still no. What am I, chopped liver? They should know by now that I have a really freaky way of predicting the weather; it's been happening since I was seven!
Oh joy. Now my cute new pink shirt is drenched in rainwater. And my converse. And my white pants. Hopefully that doesn't become sheer and show everyone my bunny-patterned panties. That would majorly suck, especially since I can spot a few cute guys loitering around...
Even though I'm getting soaked to the bone, I still have to admit that running around in the rain is fun. Liberating, even. The sound of my shoes against the wet cement sounds nice, and the cold rain is a nice contrast to the humidity of the restaurant we were just in. It feels good to run in the rain.
But although running in the rain is fun, dancing in it is way better.
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