Boohoo, Not Wahoo.

In an attempt to write something that is not mindless drivel or sentimentalist girlish cooing and return to some level of normality (as if it was even possible), I've taken an interest in the state of our economic affairs.

I wonder just how much money was spent on both McCain's and Obama's campaigns. How many millions are they spending on propaganda? How many millions are they spending that could indeed be invested in aiding our country and paying off our debt?

I will admit now that I am not an economics person. I enjoy my Algebra 2 class. It's logical and straightforward and I love that. But economics does not register in my head and seeing numbers and figures taxes my brain. So I cannot but admit that I am no expert on the subject nor do I pretend to know anything about anything.

But I would like to know what gives government the right to tack on more taxes to the American people for something that is no fault of theirs. What do these men think, these lawmakers, these bank owners? Can't they see the plight of the average Joe, the harsh brutality thrust upon their fellow men, their neighbors? Or are they so elite, so rich, so powerful, that they walk about with their head in the clouds and cannot bend their neck to see the less-fortunate on the bottom.

It's not as if it comes as a shock to me, but I am rather melancholic to hear of men who no longer care for morals. What has happened to our culture, that we no longer feel anything, are desensitized to the slightest emotion?

I feel like I'm rambling now, so I'll stop. Can't afford a soapbox nowadays.

What's the story, morning glory?

"’T is beauty calls, and glory shows the way." - Nathanial Lee

Sense and Non-Sensibility

What is it about teenage girls, that we just adore chick flicks? I mean, sure I love my share of action movies and yes, I enjoy explosions in the movies. But whenever I watch a chick flick I swoon and can't help but make the age-old sound that women make whenever they find something adorable. "Awwwww..."

Is it our hormones at this stage in our life? Or is it our femininity breaking through? But what is it that makes me smile whenever I watch some old Jane Austen-y movie, where the women look like women in their voluptuous dresses and impeccable charm and manners and the men are complete gentlemen and actually maintain their masculinity without turning into cads? Is it just me or is it that the whole of the female population enjoys this?

And it's this exact notion of ours that annoys the male population so much. My brother cannot believe how I can enjoy movies like this. My dad is sick of me singing Phantom of the Opera. Every other guy I know stands in awkward silence whenever my friends and I giggle impishly when we mention guys.

Lately I've been feeling the urge to watch Persuasion, the Jane Austen story. (Alright, alright, I admit I'm watching it partly because the actor who plays Captain Wentworth is unbelievably handsome) But still, there's something about the movie that endears you to the characters and makes you wish that you were a part of it.

*Heartstring Number 52 is tugged*

I love watching the interaction between Ann and Wentworth. It's the age-old struggle that has plagued men and women, the struggle of Ann's "I rejected you because of stupid reasons, however you're hot so I still love you despite the fact that your flirting with every woman in the room, so I love you and I hate you" and Wentworth's "My male ego demands that I be angry with you because you rejected my hotness, so I will torture you with flirting with every chick in the room however I still love you but I pretend to hate you."

And the whole time I'm glued to the screen, unable to look away.

Contentment

"Sleep sweetly, tender heart, in peace!
Sleep, holy spirit, blessed soul,
While the stars burn, the moons increase,
And the great ages onward roll."

-Alfred Tennyson

Have you ever had those moments when you simply sat down in the quiet solitude and enjoyed it, feeling absolutely nothing but contentment and joy. Everything is quiet and still and the sound of such silence fills your soul with a million quiet thoughts and your heart and mind are at peace and you could wish nothing more than to sit in this moment for a long time. Those moments when you sit in a lovely patch of sunshine and the world is bright and warm and yet not so bright as to be brilliant. Just a soft warm glow that warms you. There are no worries, nothing to rush you, nothing to bother you. And in this warm quiet solitude, you're happy. No, not just happy. Content. Content and at peace and you wish that nothing could disrupt this moment.

Do you know the Music Man?

In Algebra 2 today, we were doing our work and then someone asked Mr. McClung something and he went up to the board to explain it. Now, let me tell you Mr. McClung has the driest humor ever but he is funny like you cannot imagine. Oh and he's famous for calling number puppies or babies or stuff like that. For example, "And then you multiply those puppies and get your answer". So, he's talking about slope and intercept and all that jazz and when he finishes working out the formula he says triumphantly "Then you slope that baby."

And then later, this guy Ben randomly announced that he and his mom had had songs from the Music Man stuck in their heads all week and he started singing. And now he has the song (Beatles version of course) stuck in my head. And now I will sing it to you in a shrilly shrieky voice.

"Til There Was You"

There were bells on a hill
But I never heard them ringing
No I never heard them at all
Till there was you

There were birds in the sky
But I never sarr them winging
No I never sarr them at all
Till there was you

Then there was music and wonderful roses
They tell me in sweet fragrant meadows of dawn, and you

There was love all around
But I never heard it singing
No I never heard it at all
Till there was you

Then there was music and wonderful roses
They tell me in sweet fragrant meadows of dawn, and you

There was love all around
But I never heard it singing
No I never heard it at all
Till there was you

Till there was you

A moment of contemplation...

I believe holding hands is one of the greatest expressions of love and care ever to exist.

Looking at such an action superficially proves that it means nothing. Two limbs grasping each other. That's all. We do it all the time, to hold on to someone when we fall, when we shake each other's hands. But do we really take in the deeper meaning of such a simple gesture?

Imagine those with leprosy, with horrid skin conditions, who can never be touched. They will never feel the warmth of another's arms, the gentle steadiness of another's shoulder, the firm grip of another's hands, the gentle caresses of fingers. I cannot help but feel compassion for them, for touch is not only an important sense, it is a transmitter of our thoughts.

I've taken touch for granted. After all, every day we touch things and it's no big deal. But the feeling of a hug, no not just a quick meaningless hug, I mean a real warm emotional hug that somehow gives word to the deepest thoughts, those hugs are so beautiful. A simple hug tells so many things, yet without the clumsy interruption of words. It's a physical expression of our deepest sincerest feeling.

The same goes for holding hands.

It's kind of funny, but I've never been one of those people who hugs everyone and tells them sweet things. Sure, I love my friends, but my character is not one of those aformentioned. I've always found it awkward to just go up and give someone a hug or hold onto them or tell them constantly that I love them or other such things. It's just not me. I'll gladly give you anything, do anything for you, give up something for you. And that's how I express my love. I take it that because I call you my friend that you'll already know that I love you more than you can ever know.

I've learned better though. I've learned that even the smallest touch of fingers together can send the most frighteningly amazing tingles of excitement up your spine. Even just a touch between friends makes all the difference.

Oh, how we take such things for granted. We bump into one another in the street and think it a bothersome thing. We shake hands with a new acquaintance but our hands are limp and cold. We hug a dear one but pull away almost immediately.

We don't understand how touch affects us. A simple hug or holding hands can makes us the happiest person in the world and get us higher than any medication or sharpie. And that's why I want you to remember,

Hugs, not drugs.

Catch you later, luvs.