Why I do not believe a mosque should be built at ground zero

That's right, she's gettin' political.

Let me start by saying there is nothing more hurtful to me than narrow-minded offensiveness. So if anything I say offends someone, please, please let me know so that I can step back and re-analyze what I have written. Also, I do not claim to have an opinion of any great importance, so don't think I'm trying to assert myself into the world, more just offering my take.

As you probably have heard, it has been proposed that a mosque be built near ground zero in the bustling concrete jungle where dreams are made of. There is a TON of debate over this issue and I've heard many arguments on either side, many of which are unfoundedly offensive.

I most certainly recognize the burden 9/11 has placed on every Muslim living in this country. I've seen some overwhelmingly sad documentaries and even listened to close friends describe their life after this tragic event. And not only Muslim Americans, but any American of Arab, Indian, Pakistani or middle eastern decent has almost certainly faced an increase in outright racism in the last ten years.

I think ground zero is too sensitive an area to construct anything that carries as much political weight as a religious symbol. I think many Americans are far too narrow-minded to be able to look past a gesture like this and it could easily cause even more tension between Muslims and non-Muslims living in New York.

I very loosely use the example of building a meeting hall for the NRA at Columbine. The columbine shooters were not members of the NRA, but this would be highly controversial and far too sensitive an area to build anything at. I would like to make it clear I do not equate members of the NRA to Muslims and I don't think the situation is the same at all, but it does highlight my main point, the sensitivity of an area where a tragedy occurs. The same way I don't believe it would be right to build a "Focus on the Family" center in Laramie. These people believe something different than I, and that is perfectly acceptable, but Laramie is too sensitive a place to construct such a center.

(That paragraph seems offensive, will someone who understands what I am getting at please help me rephrase it?)

I understand that this opinion may be labelled as racism or hampering civil rights. I do not believe it should be DISallowed to build a mosque at ground zero, but I do believe it is a bad idea. Not in poor taste, for those responsible for the attacks are, after all, extremists and not a thing like 99.999% of people who practice Islam. Many white supremacist groups are considered "fundamental Christians" and I know that none of my Christian friends of family members would in any way like to be equated with these people.

In summary, I think the RIGHT to build a mosque at ground zero is always there. I do not think, however, it should be done. I do not think a church or a synagogue or a presidential mansion should be build there either. I do believe we must take a step back and truly analyze why we feel one way or the other about this issue because the struggle faced by Muslim Americans everyday due to our prejudice IS something we can change.

Why I am not a journalism major

More times than I appreciate, I have been asked, "Lyndsay, why are you not a journalism major?"

See from the outside, that really is where I should've gone. I was the Editor of my high school newspaper for two years and I love writing. Not to sound self important, but I'm actually alright at it also. English was always my best subject, best score on the ACT, and I write in my free time very often. So why then, did I not choose to make a career out of it?

I have this weird trait about me where I have to take the hard way for everything. I have this fierce independence that I've had forever but only recently come to recognize. I can remember when I was little playing scrabble with my dad and I'd play a word and he'd say "No, move it over here, you'll get more points." Then I'd get furious and move my tiles back to the original crap position because I COULD NOT STAND SOMEONE ELSE PLAYING FOR ME. Are all kids like this?

Also, I have always felt a strong calling to help people. Post graduation, the plan is to join the peace corps and after my first 26 month stint, I'm actually hoping to do another somewhere else. With a degree like engineering, especially mine which will be geared toward improving underdeveloped and heavily agriculturally-related areas, I feel I will actually be able to put in the physical effort to help.

I really do not want to undermine this humanitarian idea in journalists. Journalism serves a HUGE role in humanitarian efforts. It isn't that I feel I'd be doing nothing as a journalist, I would just rather actually be designing the programs or methods that improve underdeveloped areas.

I wish I had time to live about six different lives. I'd totally be Peter Travers and write for Rolling Stone if I knew that's where I'd end up as a journalist. That would be boss.

Why I hate the zoo.

Alright, I have not blogged in forever and for that, I am ashamed. Anyway, I'm back. My new objective is to do a new post about every day that answers a "Lyndsay, why?" type question. Not that I find myself all that important, it's just a subject I consider myself an expert in. So here goes.

"Lyndsay, why do you hate the zoo?"

First of all, let me just say, I haven't always hated the zoo. I used to love it as a kid. And that is exactly how I think it should be. Kids should love the zoo. It's there for them.

I certainly appreciate the point of zoos. They exist so that kids can see real live animals they would otherwise never get the opportunity to. Let's face it, there aren't exactly herds of elephants wandering down state street. I think allowing kids to be that close to these creatures is important from a conservation standpoint. Who wants to protect what they don't know? The only way future generations will appreciate the ever-diminishing animal kingdom is through experience and interaction. And from that perspective, I appreciate zoos.

But I, personally, can't visit them anymore. Last time I went to one, I bawled my eyes out. I can't stand to look at magnificent living creatures in the equivalent of a jail cell. The giraffes' winter kennels really got me. I love giraffes more than any other animal in the world. To see four of them packed together in a cement box, probably about 8 ft. by 10 ft. with nothing but a few bunches of hay to munch on (not even what giraffes eat in real life) was too much for me.

And the big cats. Maybe their eyes are glassy in the wild too, but don't they look like they're crying? How immasculating to be locked in a glass box and thrown food by someone who is just there for the old nine to five. Their ancestors ran! Their wild brothers tackle zebras and use their ninja shit to fend for themselves. It's too sad for me to even think about.

I've heard that keeping a dolphin in an aquarium is the equivalent of keeping a human in a bathtub for their entire lives. Except worse because of all the noise they make that just drives them insane. Now, I'm no animal expert, but doesn't that just sound heartbreaking?

Recently when I brought this up, a friend said, "well, some people live in boxes their whole lives. That's sadder because people are more important than animals." Fair enough. Everybody has their own values, and yes, people living in the equivalent of boxes also depresses me. But I think of animals as babies. They can't help where they are. They can't defend themselves. They can't rise up and against the perpetrators.

So, that's why I hate the zoo.

i will buy you a new life

mixed feeling weekend type.
so i'm posting all the lyrics to one of my favorite songs of all time. i dont know. it's speaking to me.

Here is the money that I owe you
So you can pay the bills
I will give you more when I get paid again
I hate those people who love to tell you
Money is the root of all that kills
They have never been poor
They have never had the joy of a welfare Christmas
I know we will never look back
You say you wake up crying
Yes and you don't know why
You get up and you go lay down inside my baby's room
I guess i'm doing ok
I moved in with the strangest guy
Can you believe he actually thinks that I am really alive
I will buy you a garden where your flowers can bloom
I will buy you a new car, perfect shiny and new
I will buy you that big house way up in the west hills
I will buy you a new life
Yes I will
I know all about that other guy
The handsome man with athletic thighs
I know about all the times before
With that obsessive little rich boy
They might make you think you're happy
Yeah maybe for a minute or two
They can't make you laugh
No they can't make you feel the way that I do
I know we can never look back
Will you please let me stay the night
No one will ever know

I can't find the words to say, they're overdue

drumroll please.................it's the new moon review.

I should probably mention that I loved this movie before it came out. I loved the last one. I read all the books. And i didn't just stroll to the theater and watch this. I bought tickets over a month in advance. I made shirts. I was in the front row of the pseudo-iMax at the midnight premiere. And I would still consider myself a moderate fan.

Maybe not moderate. Seasonal maybe. That's it. I get obsessive for about a week and a half.

I realize this movie isn't that good. For one thing, though, it's way better than the first one so don't pull the old "well that first one sucked, so it's just not worth it." They're on completely different levels.

Like I said, I loved New Moon. I re-read the book before the premiere and though I knew it wasn't pulitzer prize worthy or anything, I had forgotten how terrible it actually was. It has some excitement. It is drained by a lot of dreamy eyes and "tortured" thoughts. It was LONG. Holy cow, was it long.

The movie cut out soooooo much of the hazy hot mess that is Stephanie Meyer. After getting through about an hour and fifteen minutes and thinking "oh my god, this is only halfway through the book" (i didn't mind, but this my sister rolled her eyes) I was relieved to find that the entire, oh, hundred pages or so of a FLIGHT was eliminated.

Other than that, the book was followed well, if not embellished a little. It's naiive to think, "oh my god, that's not how it happened in the book. This movie sucks." I feel that way about Harry Potter too. How do you expect a scriptwriter to follow a story that isn't his to a tee? Who would want that job? Personally, I commend Melissa Rosenberg for writing a script that was, at the very least attention-holding out of Meyer's snoozefest novel.

You can't go into this movie expecting a masterpiece or any part of realism to translate. That's the point. It's not about sex. It's about love. And it actually is a really unique form of love. Bella is not perfect. She's not pretty or the girl next door or the sexy one. She's moody, not nice. She's studious, but not smart. She's not funny. She's not winning. To the average moviegoer, she's boring and the worst movie character of all time.

But she's exactly how everyone feels at one stage or another in their lives. Try to tell me you've never found yourself completely bored with who you are. Wishing you were somebody more (insert adjective here).

It's not a romantic story about the cute girl finding the perfect guy and living happily ever after. Bella and Edward have a really fucked up relationship. They're not perfect. They're in that "first love" euphoria that has you making this relationship EVERYTHING. Like it's the only thing in the world. But in this situation, he kinda wants to kill her. SPOILER ALERT. She kinda makes out with someone else. It's not supposed to be perfect, but it's not supposed to be real either. It's symbolic of everybody's screwed up love.

On another note, I thought the wolves were awesome. I'm not a CGI expert and I didn't invest much hope into those scenes being cool. But they were exciting. And sexy. Of course.

Jacob isn't just about sex appeal though. He's warm. He's the friend who is in love with Bella. He's what every girl wishes for. Falling in love with their best friend. But this situation is different. Bella wishes Jacob were her brother so he couldn't fall in love with her. She needs him but she's not sure in which way. She could make herself love him, but is that fair? She knows she's being selfish but she doesn't have the strength to make herself stop. I think everyone has times when they do this, just not exactly the way Bella does.

Last thing. Music. AWESOME. Makes me wonder who has the connections to get Bon Iver and Thom Yorke to agree to a song release. I was sooo excited to hear some of my new favorites from this year featured too. Lykke Li, Monsters of Folk. And of course my eighth grade favorites the Killers and Death Cab.

Whatever you want to say, New Moon has some themes that ring true in everyone. You can't go into it judging though and you can't skim the surface of the medium presented.

Oh, and, in response to **food for thought**. That sexist argument is bullshit. What would people say? Nothing. Clearly you've never heard of Britney Spears, Hayden Panettiere, Jodie Foster, or watched Disney Channel. We can go into this more if you want but your argument is as unfounded as you knew it was going to be when you wrote it.

i wish i was special

have you ever felt like the biggest asshole in the entire world? i have. i do currently.

it's late and it's christmas and it's private so i won't go into detail much. i'm just in a shitty spell. one of those "oh crap, everything i'm doing is a mistake."

it's really weird to wish that somebody hated you. A couple weeks ago i was upset because i thought i was hated. i don't know if it's personality or insecurity, but i've always had a really big problem with people being mad at me. i can't stand it. it makes me want to curl up in a ball and sleep for years. but that's all i want right now.

i want you to hate me.

Guess who's back with a brand new track?

Ah, blogger. It's been a long time. But I'm back.

I will be starting off slow as it's finals and my first day back to blogging in about five months. I have a lot of things I want to get out including the highly anticipated new moon review (hold your breath), but for today I think I'll just leave it as an update to what the shit has happened to me over the last five months.

Statics.

That is what has happened. To anyone who has ever taken a statics class, my heart goes to you. The best news is that I hear my subsequent five (yes, five) physics classes only get harder from here. Engineering sucks. I would say I spent five hours per week on the quiz for that class, probably a total of fourteen hours a week on homework for that class, and maybe 50 hours of studying for each midterm and the final. I am currently experiencing great anxiety over whether I will get a C or a D in that class. This shit's impossible.

I get upset when people are like "what? you don't even have a 3.0 GPA?" I swear to god i used to be pretty smart. I did not have to bribe anyone to get in here.

don't turn around cause the reason is treason

I had something good to write about but i wanna be quick so I'll write that tomorrow. Today's thoughts:

I can't wait to have tattoos. I want a thistle (for the homeland), a dreamcatcher (for my calling), and quotes (because they're wondrous).

The quotes are the quotes I try to live by and hopefully one day will.

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world."
"May I live simply that others may simply live."

Both Gandhi. I want them on the backs of my arms. My parents will faint.

Google image "funny tattoos."  Hours of entertainment.  

you know that I could use somebody

I haven't blogged in forever so this one's going to be shit. I managed to spend a whole week in an area with no internet and little phone reception. Kinda liked it. Back now. Stressed out. Nervous. Fat.

"Meaty" as I like to say. Bought liquid leggings after swearing to myself I never would due to my meatiness.

Went to NASA today. Would like to go to the moon for a quick jaunt.

Random.

Would like to put an "n" at the end of random. Randomn. I like that.

Hid a tiny bottle of vodka in my underwear today. Don't ask. Or do.

In love with big brother to the point that I strategize for every player and sometime imagine I'm in the game.

Would like to be friends with Megan Fox. Would like to see the other half of her nose and where it went. Would like to ask where she got her boobs and lip injections from. They look nice.

Falling back in love with classics. George. Leo. Matt. Mark. Older fellas.

Also in love with Jared Followill. Nobody knows who that is. That's okay.

Apologizing for the shitty bloggage. I'll get back on pace

just call my name, and I'll be there

I watched the Michael Jackson memorial service today. I was excited to see the performers and who was there and what would be said and to see a few renditions of his numbers.

I am the first to admit, I am a crier. I have been known to cry during winnie the pooh's grand adventure, every episode of the biggest loser, dance fever finales, and during most E! true hollywood stories. I went into today, however, with no expectation or intentions of crying.

You should have seen me by the end of the service. Uncontrollable blankets of tears. I can't remember last time I cried so hard.

This seems really strange to me. I didn't know Michael, obviously. I can't tell you every one of his songs; I was not even around for his prime. Right from the get-go, with Mariah Carey's song, I cried. Brooke Sheilds spoke. I cried. His brother spoke. Tears. His daughter spoke. Uncontrollable saddness.

Perhaps it is the fact that I had overlooked the simple truth of who he was; human. He had a family who loved him and little kids who don't have real parents or friends anymore.

He was just a guy who was terribly misunderstood his entire life.

siete

Hoy, trabajo todo el dia.  Fue muy aburrido, pero trabajo en liquor y siempre es aburrido.  Limpio todo la tienda y ayudo muchos hombres con su bebidos.  Un hombre no fue contento porque nosotros no tienen su cigarillos.  Tengo transformers en mi computadora.  La pelicula no es muy muy bueno, pero me gusta verlo.  Estoy ver wheel de fortune y cocina curry de pollo por cena.  Manana, voy a ir a la pescina de mis vecinos para nadar.  Espero que hecha calor.  

throw down your arms, give up the fight

Today is what we like to call "Independence day" so I thought in celebration, I would give a few thoughts on independence.  Not really general thoughts, more like thoughts on my own independence.

I can't decide whether I am independent or not.  Financially, I'm obviously not.  I do not pay my cell phone bill.  I do not pay for my tuition, though my parents don't pay for that yet, either.  I don't buy our groceries or vacations.  Things I do pay for:  my volunteer trip.  clothes.  trips to chicago.  things i "want."

I am shy.  This hinders independence.  I get nervous and don't like to do things on my own.  I will often ask "will you come in with me" or sometimes the occasional "can you just ask for me."  That is in reference to some kind of customer service, mind you, not sixth grade boyfriends.

Part of me has always been independent though.  My parents had kids in 1976, 1978, and 1981.  Oh yeah, then 1990.  By the time I came along, I think they were too tired to really raise another one.  I am not at all complaining, or saying my parents are bad parents.  I love my mommy a lot and I'm sure if I knew my dad better, I would love him a lot too.  I do love him, just not the same way as my mom.  Anyway, I've never had a curfew or been grounded.  They already had chosen their favorites before I got here.

Independence is supposed to change a lot when you first go to college.  I guess it kind of did.  Now it just feels like I was at a really long summer camp last year, though.  

I want to one day live in another country for an extended amount of time.  I want to study abroad.  In Cairo.  My parents have kaphoshed that.  Can't wait to see their reaction when I tell them I'm off to live in Afghanistan.  I hope one day to be independent enough to accomplish my dreams.  It'll be a real damn disappointment if I'm not.

Happy independence day!

He come grooving up slowly

I started another book today. I hope this one goes well. Have hit dead ends with the Assassins, Pakistani family, and Russian mob in the early twentieth century books. Hopefully I'll come back to those.

Writing takes too much research. I really like the idea of this new one I'm doing. The fact that it doesn't take much research made me a touch hesitant at first, but then again, my completed book didn't take research either though. Maybe this one will be book length!

(a few hours later)

I have decided I am going to finish this one.  Maybe I will try to do the full-length in the month of July, to copy a fellow blogger.  175 pages is a bit ambitious, but 100 pages is only three per day.

You're too cute to even care

I took some really quintessentially summer pictures the other day with the family home.  I love my family.  Even when they annoy the piss out of me, I still love them.  We're all so different, yet so connected.  I am really lucky to have a family as close as mine.  I love all my siblings, they all love each other, we all get along.  This is pretty rare considering the vast differences in behaviors, beliefs, and of course, ages.  Anyway, back to the point.  Here is my summer joy(s).

seis

Hoy es un dia calor pero muchos dias fueron calor en la semana pasada.  Ayer, fue una fiesta de mi hermano y su novia.  Fue un luau y me veste un vestido de negro y blanco y fue muy bonita.  El noche pasada, mi otro hermano y yo fuimos al cine para ver Transformers.  El accion fue muy interesante pero muchos de los robotos fueron un poco queso-y.  Megan Fox fue muy bonito, pero su voz fue muy chicita y me gusta el bravada.  Un actriz nueva "Isabel somebody-or-other" no es muy bonita.  Michael Bay dice que ella es el Megan Fox nueva, pero no es una competicion.   Ella fue muy "sticklike."

As he came in through the window was the sound of a crescendo

I am deeply saddened by the loss of one of the greatest performers of all time.  Put your politics aside and just embrace the awesomeness that is Michael Jackson.

I will now countdown my top 10 favorite MJ songs of all time.  

10.  Black or White- a wonderful message set to a catchy tune.  If you're thinking about being his baby, it don't matter if you're black or white.  A lesson in non-judgement for the ages.  The video features MJ walking through fire and guest appearances by Macaulay Culkin and Tyra Banks.  And that sweet rap at the end is just fantastic.  "I ain't scared of no brothers, I ain't scared of no sheets."

9.  Billie Jean- his biggest hit of course.  The video with the light up sidewalk is the epitome of coolness.  The story is of a girl approaching Michael claiming he is her baby daddy.  He denies it, naturally, but when baby cried, eyes looked like his.  Scandal.

8.  You rock my world- his attempt at R&B.  It's a very sexy song written about a capturing lady who rocks his world, obviously.  The video features Chris Tucker and Marlon Brando and of course a dance off.  He's a little crazy looking at this point, but I can always look past that.

7.  The way you make me feel- holy catchy tune.  This is Michael's attempt at telling a pretty lady with the high heels on about his insane attraction to her and why she should be his.  Full of witty metaphors and similes, it is a Shakespearian sonnet backed by a sweet drumbeat.  

6.  Dirty Diana- not much to be said about this classic.  Insanely awesome guitar backing though.  DIR-TEE DI-AH-NAH.  Fabulous and possibly the most instrumental of Mikey's songs.

5.  Beat it- of course.  A gang of street fighters/dancers coming after Michael, all the while him knowing he must show them that he's really not scared.  It is a badass hit filled with threats to the king of pop.  In the video, however, MJ ends up winning the dance off doesn't end up getting kicked and beat and told it's fair.  Also my favorite song from "Thriller 2008," even though it featured Fergie.

4.  PYT- an acronym for the ages.  This song addresses Michael's affection for a "pretty young thing" and his offers of love to her.  It's also got a super dancy beat and just all around fun to sing along to.

3.  Man in the mirror- the deepest MJ song written.  This tune hits my heart especially as it is a musical setting to my favorite Gandhi quote "You must be the change you wish to see in the Earth."  The video goes through all sorts of destruction from the rainforest to the KKK.  Overseas and in the USA.  Michael really knew what the deal was when he was starting with the man in the mirror and asking him to change his ways.

2.  Bad- obviously, Mikey's baddest song.  Bad as in AWESOME.  My favorite video.  Michael is part of a dancing chain gang, of course, and rocks a sweet long jerry curl.  The message: don't mess with me.  There's something very sexy about the confidence it takes to ask the whole world to answer right now, who's bad?  The answer:  Michael fricken Jackson.

1. [drumroll.........] Smooth Criminal.  Thus is the namesake of my title to this blog.  The story is a scary one- an intruder breaking into Annie's home and striking her.  Why?  Just because he's a smooth criminal.  I cannot do the song justice so I'm just going to post the lyrics.  P.S.  Even Alien Ant Farm can rock this shit out.

As He Came Into The Window 
It Was The Sound Of A Crescendo 
He Came Into Her Apartment 
He Left The Bloodstains On The Carpet 
She Ran Underneath The Table 
He Could See She Was Unable 
So She Ran Into The Bedroom 
She Was Struck Down, It Was Her Doom 

Annie Are You OK? 
So, Annie Are You OK 
Are You OK, Annie 
Annie Are You OK? 
So, Annie Are You OK 
Are You OK, Annie 
Annie Are You OK? So, Annie Are You OK? 
Are You OK, Annie? 
Annie Are You OK? 
So, Annie Are You Ok, Are You Ok, Annie? 

(Annie Are You OK?) 
(Will You Tell Us That You're OK?) 
(There's A Sign In The Window) 
(That He Struck You - A Crescendo Annie) 
(He Came Into Your Apartment) 
(He Left The Bloodstains On The Carpet) 
(Then You Ran Into The Bedroom) 
(You Were Struck Down) 
(It Was Your Doom) 

Annie Are You OK? 
So, Annie Are You OK? 
Are You OK Annie? 
Annie Are You OK? 
So, Annie Are You OK? 
Are You OK Annie? 
Annie Are You OK? 
So, Annie Are You OK? 
Are You OK Annie? 
You've Been Hit By 
You've Been Hit By -v A Smooth Criminal 

So They Came Into The Outway 
It Was Sunday - What A Black Day 
Mouth To Mouth Resus - Citation 
Sounding Heartbeats - Intimidations 

Annie Are You OK? 
So, Annie Are You OK? 
Are You OK Annie? 
Annie Are You OK? 
So, Annie Are You OK? 
Are You OK Annie? 
Annie Are You OK? 
So, Annie Are You OK? 
Are You OK Annie? 
Annie Are You OK? 
So, Annie Are You OK 
Are You OK Annie? 

(Annie Are You OK?) 
(Will You Tell Us That You're OK?) 
(There's A Sign In The Window) 
(That He Struck You - A Crescendo Annie) 
(He Came Into Your Apartment) 
(He Left The Bloodstains On The Carpet) 
(Then You Ran Into The Bedroom) 
(You Were Struck Down) 
(It Was Your Doom) 

(Annie Are You OK?) 
(So, Annie Are You OK?) 
(Are You OK Annie?) 
(You've Been Hit By) 
(You've Been Struck By - 
A Smooth Criminal) 

Okay, I Want Everybody To Clear The Area Right Now! 

Aaow! 
(Annie Are You OK?) 
I Don't Know! 
(Will You Tell Us, That You're OK?) 
I Don't Know! 
(There's A Sign In The Window) 
I Don't Know! 
(That He Struck You - A Crescendo Annie) 
I Don't Know! 
(He Came Into Your Apartment) 
I Don't Know! 
(Left Bloodstains On The Carpet) 
I Don't Know Why Baby! 
(Then You Ran Into The Bedroom) 
I Don't Know! 
(You Were Struck Down) 
(It Was Your Doom - Annie!) 
(Annie Are You OK?) 
Dad Gone It - Baby! 
(Will You Tell Us, That You're OK?) 
Dad Gone It - Baby! 
(There's A Sign In The Window) 
Dad Gone It - Baby! 
(That He Struck You - A Crescendo Annie) 
Hoo! Hoo! 
(He Came Into Your Apartment) 
Dad Gone It! 
(Left Bloodstains On The Carpet) 
Hoo! Hoo! Hoo! 
(Then You Ran Into The Bedroom) 
Dad Gone It! 
(You Were Struck Down) 
(It Was Your Doom-Annie!) 
Aaow!!! 

Bless the man who brought me this splendid joy for so long.  I love you Mikey. 

I know more of the stars and sea than I do of what's in your head

I love Richard Branson.  I've known this for a while but was reminded of it once again.

As you may know, he owns "Virgin" company, including Virgin airways, Virgin records, and Virgin megastores, grossing him a net worth of around two and a half billion dollars.  He often appears of the Forbes Richest list, last year being number 236.

Twenty years ago, he helped form a collaborative peacemaking group called "The Elders" in South Africa, after post-apartheid unrest.  They now discuss peaceful solutions regarding global issues.

More recently, he set up a challenge where he is asking someone to find a way to extract carbon dioxide from the atmosphere with a reward of some enormous sum of money from Branson, personally.  This is not the first environmentalist-friendly challenge Branson has set up.

The thing that I really appreciate is this "Virgin FreeFest" taking place in Maryland at the end of August.  It is a concert completely free to anyone with almost 40,000 tickets available.  Instead of VIP lounges, the special lounges are reserved for anyone who got laid off this year, or anyone who has devoted significant time to community service this year.  The acts are huge like Franz Ferdinand and Weezer.  

Richard Branson is someone else that makes me smile for humanity.

I had my rock, I had my roll, but I couldn't find my spark

For another eventful afternoon at Sentry liquor, I decided to flip through a magazine another employee had left there.  I usually enjoy magazines, but end up feeling guilty for the hour of trash time I spend reading it when I could get back to the Awakening.  This was People's hottest bachelors so it didn't seem so bad.

Though I did enjoy its main attraction, there was a story in there that was a little more touching to me.  I came across an article about an organization called "Church under the Bridge" out of a variety of cities across Texas.  The place of worship is, as the title would indicate, a simple stage surrounded by fold-up chairs underneath a bridge in poorer areas of urbanized ci

ties.

It was first developed in 1992, in Waco, under I-35 with a congregation of nearly 300 people.  People.  People not often considered people.  Homeless, drug addicts, and prostitutes make up the majority of the congregation.  It runs on private donations and the time and effort of pastor Jimmy Dorrell and college-age volunteers.  The church serves hot meals to the hungry every Sunday after worship.

Say what you will about the politics of religion.  I'm not concerned at this moment about the beliefs of this church or the problems caused.  I think this is pretty damn awesome.  Most people turn their noses up at "low-lifes" like homeless people.  Most people judge 

drug addicts and alcoholics.  Most church-goers are deeply disturbed by the amoral behavior of prostitutes.  This man serves them.  

Hell if that's not the way humanity is supposed to be.

cinco

Hoy, fui a la playa con mis amigas.  Fue muy divertida y tuve mucho calor.  Fumimos cigarillos de uvas.  Despues la playa, fuimos a "El Mariachi" un restaurante Mexicana.  Comi dos tamales pero ellos tuven carne y no como carne :(  Como pollo, pero no bistec.  Fueron bueno, pero estuve enferma despues comi.

Oh and I think I lied in the before post.  I'm probably fairly legit sometimes to judge based on opinion.  That's not really a judgement is it?

I just said "fairly legit."  Can you guess who I am?

The spotlight is on

I do not enjoy racism. Someone I consider a very close friend hates African Americans. This person was pulled over and ticketed the other day by an African American. I understand he/she is frustrated, but I highly doubt that if the officer's skin was lighter he would've said "Oh yeah, its okay if he/she doesn't drive abiding by the law."

This is a real shame because I tend to focus too much on poor traits and will now have trouble looking past these racist statements and still enjoying the company of this person. This is, in itself a bit of a judgement. Oh, bother.

Here is something else I am upset about: The Miss California controversy. In case you're out of the loop, at the pageant, Perez Hilton asked her how she felt about gay marriage.

This is an opinion question. She stated that she grew up in a traditional family and believed marriage is for one man and one woman. An honest answer.

The girl has been fired for causing "controversy." So, what was the question then? "Repeat after me, 'gays should marry.'"?

She was asked for her opinion, she gave it. I'm defending her and I don't even agree with her! People are allowed to have differing opinions. It's part of being diverse just as homosexuals and those who support their rights is.

Is it because the question was asked by a homosexual?

Personally, I just don't really understand judgement based on race, sexuality, OR opinion.

Actually, that's probably I lie.  I often unintentionally say "what a douchebag" when near a Republican.  I am a hypocrite.