9/11 beliefs

It's funny how family and politics seem to run together, at least in my experiences. The most heated political discussions seem to always be between families. After Thanksgiving dinner, the 9-11 attack was brought up after a discussion of presidential candidates. It was very interesting to hear what all different age groups and people of different professions had heard and believed about the attacks. Some thought that the Twin Towers were really bombed, that the plane was not the cause of their fall. Another theory was that the gasoline from the plane leaked into the insulation and when that started on fire it became so hot that the steel framing of the building melted away. And even after all this time, there does not seem to be real concrete knowledge on all the events that day. I learned once one of the hijackers was pulled over for speeding the day of, on his way to the airport. And as a man on the most wanted list, he was let go with a warning. Of course everyone's facts have simply become hear-say. But again I am astonished at expanse of the theories behind the attacks.

15 and about to give birth

I just spent my Thanksgiving break out in Lubbock with my brother. His girlfriend's family joined us, including her niece. Her niece was 2 days away from labor, and oh my word pregnant.

I was in complete awe over everything surrounding her pregnancy. I was impressed at her strength to carry the child to term and then put it up for adoption. My god, if I were pregnant at 15 I wouldn't know what to do. I barely knew much about myself, let alone know enough about the world to raise a child. And the strain it puts on her body! At 15 a woman's body is still developing, and to create a child at the same time, my word. Even if I were to be in a strong long term relationship at this point of my life, being 20 years old, I don't know what I would do if I became pregnant. There is no possible way I could raise and care for a child. And everyone has opinions on abortion, but to be in that situation in real life, I'm sure its a new realm. And it would be so tragic to hand over your child to someone else. The whole thing just screamed "use every kind of protection" as if it were a flashing billboards surrounded by clowns on stilts yelling the same message through a microphone.

In a related topic, there was such an uproar when Texas made the new HPV vaccine, Gardasil required for all young women starting at the age 15 (I believe that was the age). Families were offended viewed it was an encouragement for their daughters to be sexually active. I suppose they were teaching abstinence due to fear to their daughters as well.... very healthy and effective. But what could it harm? And the vaccine will be just as effective protecting against cancerous forms of HPV when the person is 30 as it is when its completed at 15. And at the very least, the shot is the first approved anything that prevents cancer! What an advancement for science, and for our health!

A few more Photos

Here are a few more photos I've taken. Last year instead of going home for Thanksgiving, I went to my Grandfather's Best Friend's Brother's Ranch in East Texas. It was truly a new experience. The farm was expansive and was home to a few race horses. I spent a lot of time on my own wandering the property, just exploring. That's one thing I rarely get to do... just set out for a few hours and see what happens, as well as have time alone to just take things in and think. It was an even better experience since my surroundings were so lovely.

A new horse was let into a pasture with 3 horses that had already been there. Immediately they began to run. But they weren't running away, they were running to each show their power and find who was to be the new dominator. They continued to run past each other for a bit, and then finally ran together in a line. I suppose that's a bit like what may happen when we meet someone new. At first you need to appear as strong and impressive as possible until you run together. Anyway, enjoy the photos.

The Red PenIs Your Friend

In high school I was introduced to slam poetry, and was honored to meet Taylor Mali.

This man is truly a genius and an inspiration. I strongly erge you to look up his performances. It is so entertaining, yet smart. He always makes a very strong message in each of his works. In "What Teachers Make" he slams those who put down others for choosing to be teachers. In "Like Lilly like Wilson" he talks about a student changing their mind after researching about homosexuals adopting children. And in "Totally Like Whatever" he makes points to the terrible speech patterns we are falling into. Here is the first stanza:

"In case you hadn't noticed,
it has somehow become uncool
to sound like you know what you're talking about?
Or believe strongly in what you're saying?
Invisible question marks and parenthetical (you know?)'s
have been attaching themselves to the ends of our sentences?
Even when those sentences aren't, like, questions? You know?"

I was able to perform in a Slam Poetry Night my senior year. It was a one of a kind experience. And Taylor put me in touch with the poet I performed, who then sent me a disc of all his work.

I try to write a bit myself. There is not anything yet I'd particularly like to share. Always works in progress. But I continually promote Taylor Mali to my friends to stimulate interest into something so intelligent, smart and still entertaining.

non traditional advertising

Funny that I ran across this after my post about erotica and prostitution. This ad for Studio Relax Erotik Massage advertises with napkins that create an illusion of a hand in the fly. It is really quite clever.

prostitution

I'm not really sure what prompted my thoughts on this, but I was having a self debate about how the government can justify ruling that prostitution is illegal. Of course I am not promoting it, but I don't promote watching Flavor of Love with Flava Flav either. It is your choice to chose what and how to live your life as long as it does not directly interfere with the safety and wellbeing of others, as well as their right to chose. Prostitution, sex for money, pleasure for money. Why should that be illegal? We pay comedians to make us laugh. We pay for massages. We pay for therapy. We pay for cotton candy. Why should it be illegal to make money off of offering sex? Of course I understand the moral reasons behind making prostitution illegal, as well as how it is generally unsafe for the participants. But, adult people can make adult choices. If we pay to watch sex via video, or for nudity at strip clubs and for lap dances... how much different is prostitution really?

Ad Week Best Ad Sept 07

I think this is a very genuine and heart felt commercial. Even though many people who see it might not play football, they can relate to his story. I like that we aren't sitting there watching 'The Great Reggie' talk about his troubles and triumphs.
It is also different that Adidas chose Reggie Bush, a football player to be a spokes person. Reebok always sponsors NFL and is pretty much the official maker of everything having to do with football and the NFL. We normally associate Adidas primarily with soccer. Again, this is a good change to see.