Tenn-acity

Two churches located across the street from each other. At least the Catholics have a sense of humor. lol

wizasaur:

-prettyprettyplease:

ultraball:

paranoidrobot:

…Do the Presbyterians think Rocks are animals?

ALL ROCKS GO TO HEAVEN

CONVERTING TO CATHOLICISM DOES NOT MAGICALLY GRANT YOUR DOG A SOUL.

 WOW. EPIC CATHOLIC WIN.

(Source: XO)

Emulate, Regenerate?

Recently, I posted a video on YouTube where I parodied a series of challenges performed by a much more talented and respected YouTuber than myself. I do like watching this man a great deal, but I only made the video out of fun. It sounded like a good idea in my head, and it was a laugh to make.

However, I know it could be misconstrued as something else, some form of wanting recognition. In fact, any reference a person makes to a well-known figure could be considered as such. That’s what I question.

I find myself looking at different things in my life and relating them to what I have seen and heard from videos or television. I repeat phrases, or try out music, or read books based on suggestions from those I respect. (However, as much as I idolize John Green, not even he could convince me to re-read Catcher in the Rye.) Some people I know find themselves doing activities or going places because others have done so. I find this a bit ridiculous sometimes though. Yes, I made the video, but that’s no reason to actually dye my hair red.

I know that it is said imitation is the best form of flattery. I think there is a point though when you have to chastise yourself. When enough is enough. Why do we as people want to emulate? Why do we have this burning desire to understand, to figure out why a person we respect and/or admire speaks or behaves the way they do? It’s one of those mysteries you cannot put down, as if it is rubber cemented to your psyche.

I happen to daydream. I imagine scenarios of occurrences the way I wish them to go. (Could daydreaming be a form of brain-stalking?)

I’ve thought about possibly attaching that challenge video someplace where he’ll see it.

However, the idea of something and the reality of something are two completely separate entities. I have wound up disappointing myself a multitude of times through my own faults of false idealism.

Because, in the end, we don’t even know these people! We’ve never met them. We only know the image they choose to present. Why do we feel the need to get closer to someone who doesn’t even know of our existence? What sense of foolish bravery makes me even think he might like it?

That’s why I choose not to even bother. It was fun, and I’m leaving it as such.

But now I’m questioning actually dyeing my hair. Because it’s something I feel I would want to do.

Is Anything That Really Far Away (aka I’d rather live in anonimity)?

If you have been following along in this blog, you’ll realize that my brain is a bit convoluted. It can jump from thought to thought with only the slightest provocation. My latest thought pattern, which inspired the idea for this blog, is one such journey.

While trying to distract myself from the fact that a GIGANTIC oil spill is less than 100 miles away from where I am sitting and typing, and from the fact that I can actually already smell it (The inside of my nose is burning.), I was listening to my IPod.

A couple of days ago, DFTBA Records set it’s newest album ‘Erase This’ by Alan Lastufka and Luke Conard, out for pre-order. When you do pre-order, as I did, they actually send you all the songs from the album in mp3 format. (The deluxe edition comes with a DVD as well, but they don’t send you that over the interwebs.)

It’s a brilliant album. Some of the best work DFTBA has to offer. Really. One of my favorite tracks is ‘Making A Scene’ It has this ace saxophone solo that I’m prepared to learn by rote. It’s a section of the lyrics though that triggered a thought in my head. “and now, the movie script ending/is no longer based on a dream,/this night – tonight – I’ll get to play myself/and we’ll finally make a scene”

I have this analogy. I’ve never written it down in a format for others to see before, but it’s been in my head for well over a year now. To me, it’s the reason why we call celebrities “Stars”.

And it’s not because from far away, it looks beautiful, but in actually, it’s just a massive ball of gas. No. Though, it could work for some celebs, I’d imagine, but I can’t say as much. I don’t know anyone famous. Unwashed masses are us.

It’s because of the distance. You could stare at them and imagine yourself among them all you want. You can wish upon them. But, they will always be far away. It’s a safe love. As long as you keep your distance.

Of course, there are those who wish to travel amongst the stars. I applaud their efforts. However, when you find yourself out there, no longer distant, the game has changed. There’s billions of stars, stretching across multitudes of galaxies. They all look different, but that’s all they are, stars.

And that’s all celebs are. Just people. Some who made that exact same journey, reaching out for their own star and realizing just how alike they are to everyone else on this Earth.

Just don’t let yourself get carried away. Don’t think for a moment those people shouldn’t be treated with the same respect as shown to yourself. Admire and respect from afar. Don’t stalk and read tabloids. That’s just wrong.

Do Gingers Have Souls (and other such nonsense)?

Hello! So a couple of days ago, I was at Awkward Fest 2010, also known as a wedding. It was awkward turtle for me cause I was invited by the groom, who was my first ex-boyfriend, and before that point, I hadn’t spoken a word to him in about 2 years. Not in anyway towards the animosity trail. We just didn’t communicate is all.

So I’m sitting there, thinking about how these two people are only going through all this hoopla cause they want all sorts of people to know they are in a committed relationship. In my brain, the fact that they already have a kid should state they are together for at least 18 more years, in a somewhat natural world. But the words, “till death do you part” is what I’m focusing on

Two people. In a Christian ceremony (though not held in a church). Who sign this license (which makes marriage sound like a car).

In religion, we are taught that these two have now committed their lives fully to each other. Their souls are joined. If you believe each of us has a soul to begin with.

Where did that concept come from anyways? What exactly is it? And why does it apply to just humans?

Myself, I do not really believe in the institution of marriage. If you want to devote yourself to another person, great. But there’s no need for a huge ceremony. That’s all pomp and circumstance. I’m not big on that kind of stuff. Or being a prim female, really. Dresses. Ugh.

But I do like the idea of having a soul. Something inside each of us that connects us. Something that says we are all born with something good on the inside. To this extent, I also believe animals have souls.

Isn’t it that part that we meet again in Heaven, if we go? If so, I’d want to see my hamsters, guinea pigs, dogs, and even fish as well as my grandparents.

That also begs the question though, Does Heaven actually exist? Does Hell? Is Death it, or is there another adventure?

I cannot answer these questions, for I am still alive, typing these words on a keyboard. I also cannot say you are right or wrong for having your own set of beliefs.

But now, there are two more people in the world joined together, making a go of it. What if one of them does wrong? Becomes, as it is said, ‘damned’. Is that person still considered to have a soul? Are they still good inside? And if the partner decides they too want to be ‘damned’, just to stay joined, can you really damn a person for acting out of love? Isn’t that the first lesson taught by God, to love?

I see myself living in a world of contradictions and questions. I ask a lot of them. I have my own beliefs. I do not push them upon you or condemn you for having a different set. We each live our own lives the best way we know how. Either by ourselves or joined with another.

I, personally, like the thought that there’s another stop on this grand adventure. I like the thought that nothing is truly gone from the world. That we can see all the people and animals we love again if we are just patient and kind, and can’t stand to see children cry…wait…that’s Doctor Who…

I wouldn’t mind being reincarnated as a Time Lord…but that’s another blog. Till next time!

Why Do You Pledge, America?

I get together with my non-pixel friends quite often. While life on the internet is a lasting sense of joy for me, I recognize the fact that being involved in someone’s life can only go so far over bandwidth. I do have other friends made of flesh and bone, though as a Nerdfighter, I myself am created of awesome.

I manage to have debates and intellectual discussions with the fleshies as well. In fact, one such debate happened a couple of days ago in midst of Game Day. (We have a visitor from a foreign land down this week…though she used to not be foreign, and we all want her to be ‘one of us’ again down here in South Louisiana. North Louisiana might as well be the Planet Umbagwa for all the differences they have.)

It started off as a face-off on the issue of the new Health Care reform. While I do have certain issues with the way not only this bill is written, but also how it was passed, I agree it is at least a step forward. The effects that will hopefully spring from it will be positive. A couple of the issues we have are what they are saying in this bill-requiring us to have insurance for one, and the taxation on those who already have insurance for another.

Are these issues in violation of our rights as Americans?

This then lead to a talk about the Pledge of Allegiance. We talked about the words ‘Under God’ as an ‘issue’. Where my friend comes from in North Louisiana, they have already banned using the Pledge in the classroom. Where I am here in the South, it is still used.

I can understand possibly how some can feel offended or disconnected by this term. However, I have a different view. See if you can follow my points: 1) No matter what religion you are, you have a God or a set of Gods. This pledge in no way violates your right to what you believe. 2) If you are an atheist, there is no God you believe, so you have no religion

Either way, this is not a religious issue. There is no government stance. Separation of church and state still in effect.

Now you question, “How so with those words in a government pledge?”  My view is… This country, America, was originally founded because of groups escaping their homelands to be able to practice what they wish to believe, to no longer be under religious prosecution. For example: The Pilgrims on the Mayflower, Puritans who wanted to get their Calvin on, or even Quakers who see each day as an opportunity to watch spirituality in action.

This is part of our Nation’s history, the reason why we exist. In our hearts, in our history, we are rebels. We as a nation respect all forms of religions and beliefs, even non-beliefs. There is nowhere in the Constitution that says you have the inability to be an atheist. That would go against our country’s very foundation. But also, one must understand we would not even be here today if people didn’t want religious freedom. It’s a question of respect, not religion.

If you cannot respect the very thing that sprouted roots in the place you wish to call home, then don’t pledge. Find someplace else to roost.

What do you think? Why do you Pledge?