With my last winter break almost over, there's a surreal aura creeping up over me. I felt time crunch me in all directions. One day was the past reminding myself of the future to come, all within the present.
I'm going to try my best to rid myself of what has held me back. I'm not a big believer of "Feel Good" books, but so far this book has been pretty inspirational.
The man smoked about 3 to 5 packs of cigarettes every day. He ended up quitting because his wife took him to a hypnotherapist. He found the motivation to quit smoking and continued that lifestyle by helping others (with a success rate of 95%). Most of the book inspires the motivation for others to stop smoking, but what gets to me most is that he quit his accounting job to pursue what he really wanted to do in life - rid the world of smoking. Although he passed on (ironically, due to lung cancer), his book and clinic have left a legacy that will always continue to battle the evil in this world.
In the midst of tragedy, things may seem more or lessimportant than before. History is constantly repeating itself. Revolution? Not so much. It doesn't hurt to kick back and relax every once in awhile.
Things I want at the moment: Piracetam, Choline Citrate, new basketball shoes - KD?, protein, creatine, new (old) hairstyle, and a SLR camera.
Like all great shows, they eventually get canceled. I can't believe Community is on the list of shows that might get cut due to stupid people! Arrested Development finished after three seasons, I hope Community doesn't follow the same fate.
I just finished watching an episode 'Mixology Certification' which was pretty funny. Troy's birthday was created, destroyed, and fixed simultaneously within 20 minutes. Amazing. Pierce is the delusional fellow who although being independent eventually succumbs and asks for help. Shirley lives a lifestyle that may seem perfect to others, but secrets of alcohol abuse appear on the walls of the Ballroom. Annie sneaks in and momentarily becomes someone less uptight. Abed as usual becomes consumed by his vast knowledge of everything. The tension between Britta and Jeff comes to a conclusion after drinks and realizing they were talking about the same place. Crazy coincidences.
Epiphany. Everyone gets at least one in their lifetime. Just like puberty, people get them at different times. It doesn't follow any variables, but unexpectedly occurs.
What's that random picture? A triptych painted during the Renaissance. An ode to the Epiphany! T-Pain isn't that bad of an artist either. He has good beats, good flow, and autotune! (Sorry Jay-Z.)
'Mixology' didn't disappoint. Community, usually filled with some allusions, touched up on common experiences that everyone goes through. Troy found himself amazed by the new lifestyle, while Annie was overwhelmed by it. Abed drifted into his own world, while Shirley drifted away from her old world. Jeff and Britta clashed with each other, while Pierce clashed with his inefficient chair. (Don't know about other people, but I think Annie and Britta are hot!)
I'm a fan of allegories and allusions, but wow. That episode was eerily close to what I'm slowly learning. (Future Me, take note if this is really an epiphany.) I realized that most of the people who know me don't actually know me. Sure, I indulge in everything that most people my age do, but I don't think I have anything too much in common with them. The college atmosphere is a very 'in the moment' experience. I'm not saying it's a bad lifestyle. It's pretty fun, but also pretty shallow.
I had a conversation with a friend about art museums. I was surprised that she was surprised that I appreciate things besides beer and movies. Knowing someone for years doesn't guarantee much. It hit me that I actually enjoy culture. Not just food and people, but art and music. Many people stop by art museums and think one visit is good enough to see the whole museum. I've only been to the art museum several times, but I always want to go back and look for things I may have missed the previous time.
The sound of the oboe, clarinet, violin, and piano strike me differently than guitars, bass, drums, and synthesizers do. It doesn't mean I prefer more one instrument more than the other. I enjoy whatever I believe sounds good. I just think that the average person my age tends not to even consider anything before the 20th century as enjoyable. I'm by no means an artsy fartsy kind of guy who only likes art and classical music. But if the opportunity came up, I wouldn't deny the offer.
It doesn't offend me if someone looks at me bizarrely when they find out that I like random things like art. I'm comfortable with myself knowing that I choose to like things independent of others' opinions. It used to be more of a matter of revealing it. Now, I have no problem if anyone finds out because I fully believe that everyone's entitled to their own opinion and tastes. After three and a half years in college, I'm getting closer to understanding my own identity. What an epiphany!
2010 was a long year. The election was the usual politics in DC. A bunch of empty promises and lies from both sides. The economy was slowly recovering, slipped, slowly recovered. Unemployment pretty much stayed the same. The Cubs didn't win the World Series, we'll get it next year! The Bulls made the playoffs at .500. The Bears, as predicted, finished better than 10-6 (11-5) and won the NFC North as well as the 2nd seed. Dubstep and HipTronik are surging.
Personally, I went through many ups and downs. I still don't freaking know what I want to do after college. The most lucrative options seem appealing, but boring. The most passionate options seem appealing, but for how long? New year, new degree, new career. Maybe I should look into becoming president...?
The 112th group is now in session. My prediction for this year is that nothing will get done and everything that is done will be for political leverage. We're electing a bunch of rich people to debate about nothing. Even debates about debates are going to be prolonged.. Why can't we form more than 2 parties? Split the progressives from the liberals, the Tea Party from the conservatives. Competition breeds the best. Having two parties should give us better presidents than Obama, Bush, Clinton, Bush, Carter, Reagan, Ford, and Nixon.. Obama is weak, Bush Jr. is stupid, Clinton is horny, Bush Sr. is misguided, Carter is stubborn, Reagan is fake, Ford is boring, and Nixon is a crook. Good job America.
The Bears will face the Saints at Soldier Field, beat them and then face the Falcons. If they beat them, they're going to play the Patriots in Dallas. I'm hoping they make a run and don't disappoint like in '06. Hester-mania!
The Bulls are going to limp into the playoffs as the 4th seed and rock the Knicks, but lose to the Magic. Magic vs Heat for the East. The Lakers are slipping up a bit, but I think they're going to pull it together in the playoffs.
The Cubs are going to be mediocre again and finish with a mediocre 80-80, but the future looks bright. (sounds very familiar)
Natalie Portman is back at it again. Black Swan was a great performance. Breaking out of her shell and expanding into different genres. Can't wait for her next movies to come out.
Norwegian Recycling is pretty good at their mashups. Check them out.
For 2011, my New Years resolution is to continue being lazy and smoking. No one ever keeps their New Years resolutions. Gotta love reverse psychology! Is it possible to break the habit this year?
JSung if you read this and wanna rip on me, gimme whatchu got.
"I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge - myth is more potent than history - dreams are more powerful than facts - hope always triumphs over experience - laughter is the cure for grief - love is stronger than death." - Robert Fulghum, quote extraordinaire
First off, I'd like to remind myself about things I want to blog about in the future. The Korean clash (North vs South), the running of the Bulls, the "polarized" parties, the propaganda machine known today as the media, the Federal Reserve, the Illuminati, the Freemasons, Marx and Engles, the Storming of the Bastille, the Enlightenment, Newton's Apocalypse, Russia's "democracy", steric hindrance, tryptophan/serine/cystamine, the Cubbies, and the Bears.
Today is Thanksgiving Day. It's a day when one gives thanks for the things in their life. As the Pilgrims supposedly did back by Plymouth, MA. The historical discrepancy about the Native Americans is quite debatable. But as Churchill said, "History is written by the victors."
Now the word "thanksgiving" is quite ironic. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines it as: a) the act of giving thanks, b) a prayer expressing gratitude, and c) a public acknowledgment or celebration of divine goodness. I'd prefer to break it apart and look at it as "thanks" and "giving". To be thankful generally comes from one being grateful for receiving. Usually, one replies with 'Thanks', 'Thank You', or nothing at all except this.
So, to give something you usually give from receiving something is quite a headache, and this is the holiday we celebrate on the last Thursday of November. It's almost like 'Pay It Forward'...
This unselfish holiday is followed up by Black Friday, one of the most selfish commercial holidays ever conceived. I don't really feel like talking about Black Friday since most people know what it's about and how intense it can get.
Now, I guess this is my enlightened post about what I'm thankful for. I am thankful for my family and friends, and that cannot be understated. I am also thankful for the antagonists I've met throughout my life: the fat Mexican bully from 2nd grade who I fought with just because of my eyes, the asshole who stole my bike I got for my birthday, Steve Urkel, for influencing me to spit on my birthday cake after watching him do it on 'Family Matters', my parents' divorce, Mrs. Levine(stein?), my overbearing, psychotic 3rd grade teacher, the kid who I fought almost on a daily basis over Pokemon cards during the 4th grade, Mr. Glassman, the sexist, pedophile history teacher from 5th/6th grade, Mr. Miller, the pessimistic, philosophic asshole English/Logic teacher from 5th/6th grade, the evil neighbor next door who always swore at me, the pedophile who touched my friend's little sister, the kid who took a chunk of hair off my head with a metal pole just because I was better at basketball, Mrs. Martin, the sarcastic, racist social science teacher in 7th grade, Ms. Stoner, the 7th grade English teacher who ripped on me for not reading Harry Potter, while instead I read the Redwall and Narnia series, Mr. Zimmerman, my 7th grade math teacher who took away my GIANT joke book which I read after finishing my classwork, the prick who burned my hand with his cigarette while I was 12 in Korea, Mrs. Meyers, my AP World History teacher who always knew I would fail on the AP test based on the grade I "deserved", Coach Wolanski, the coach who lived in someone else's basement who always thought I was a Chinaman who couldn't understand Engrish, Hebron Church, the church that truly knows Christianity, the fucker who broke my windshield, the University of Illinois, the college that really knows how to budget well, and others who I don't feel like mentioning. Why thank those who have always made my life suck? Because they make me realize what I am truly grateful for - the things I do have. Also, I gained something from them that have in turn positively affected other parts of my life. I could go on and on, but my feast awaits.
The door creaks. It closes shut. Suddenly, a trill slowly gets louder and louder. The door slowly creaks open. Open just enough so a mouse can sneak away from the ghastly aura. Finally, the silence returns. The door creaks and slams shut. This is the bar room. It could be the howling wind; it could be the friendly ghost.
"The truth is that many who leave the faith or turn away from God do so because they have come to realize that this mindset led to nothing more than a shallow or empty relationship with God." Read this if you want to reflect on Christianity. It's getting clearer, but still murky.
My brother and I talked about our childhood, our parents, and our future. It revealed a lot to both of us about who we are, who we're becoming, and why we're becoming what we're bound to become. It's comforting to know that we talked about things I never mentioned to anyone for over 10 years. Slowly, I'm realizing what family is all about. In the past, I've claimed that I was a family man who cared about nothing more than my family. I knew I was lying when I selfishly left my family in the dust to hang out with friends when they needed me the most. I don't regret it because I made friendships that I still cherish and I realize that I won't repeat the same mistake twice. Even though I never tell my family, it doesn't mean that I don't love them.
There's only three weeks left in the semester. Then one more semester, maybe one more. Then off to life! Adult-life, how much I dread the thought of waking up at 6 am every morning. I guess the money will be enough motivation..
The Bulls are so exciting! Luol Deng definitely stepped it up this season. Joakim Noah made a lot of progress on D and on offense. DRose is sick. The passing and motion offense is a lot better than I thought. One more month until Booze!
Let the sunshine reign forever from solstice to equinox.
Chemistry hasn't ever been this challenging. Wide awake for the first time. It all makes sense! No denying of the things to come, except to some. It's kind of creepy how much facebook knows. But it's okay, gotta look on the brightside - there's an exception to the rule as well as the rule that defeats the exception. Wait, wahh??
"You can't let nobody take your heart from you. I didn't and I know I'm always going to work hard and nobody's going to tell me different." - James Johnson, talking about his role in helping the Bulls rally to beat the Pistons.
The Bulls look squeamishly good. Why squeamish? Because the motion offense they have involves them running around in circles and throwing up shots (brick) or having Rose use a pick-and-roll without a bonafide big man making the play selection dangerous. After Boozer comes back, everyone's numbers should increase. EXCITING!
It's quite funny how a Cubs bullpen catcher gets caught with over 8 pounds of weed, the British list alcohol as the most harmful drug, and Alan acts like a ruh-tard. Election Day is coming up and California is voting on Proposition 19 which could or could not lead the way to legalization of marijuana. Personally, I'm against the ratification of any legal marijuana. There is no reason why we should make a drug legal when it makes hundreds of thousands of people lazy and unmotivated. The proposed taxes and revenue California can gain does not outweigh the consequences. There's still a good chance that even if it is legalized, drug dealers will take it to the streets more readily with a likely age limit being placed. Prohibition failed, but that was due to the Roaring society and limited knowledge of the general population. Alcohol is still by far the bigger evil. One wrong cannot make another right. The synergistic capabilities of legal marijuana, alcohol, and tobacco will most likely wreak havoc for the first few months/years it is legal.
The Lions beat the Redskins. Wait what? Didn't they Skins beat the Bears last week? Of course the Skins would lose to a crappy team. They play up (or down) to their competition, as do the Bears. How aggravating is it that the Lions' running backs Kevin Smith and Jahvid Best each had 12 carries for about 50 yards and Stafford had 4 touchdowns and 1 interception? Very. I wish the Bears could utilize the running game with that shitty offensive line. OH YEAH! Forte and Taylor have no gaps to shoot through because of them. Can't blame Martz for going with mostly passing plays. But why plays that involve 7 step drops and having Cutler getting owned. Those cheeseheads caught up with our bye week, but hopefully Martz will realize the 3-/5-step drops with quick passes will be more effective and that Greg Olsen has pretty good hands for a tight-end/receiver.
Halloween is a good holiday. Not because of the boatloads of free candy given out to little children, or the skimpy outfits girls tend to wear, but because the good spirits people tend to be in. Even though it's original holiday may not have been all too great, people gather together to enjoy costumes. The only thing that I do not like about this year's Halloween is how some guys mistreat girls and that no one knows who the hell Pillsbury dough boy is! (A fat chef to the FOBs and a dough boy to the natives. Sheesh.)
The beginning of November is one to remember. It may not be like December or even September. October ended with a boo by who knows who. Still, there's a lot to look forward to. There's Thanksgiving break with much sleep to take. But best of all, everyone's gonna be burpy- right after they eat their turkey!
Why did I write that? So bored! Lab report here I come!
