Sorry, Dr. Blog...

Dear Dr. Blog,

I know I've been avoiding you. It's really busy this time of year. Proctoring finals, taking my own finals, writing paper after paper (in APA style that I apparently know nothing about). Did you know only one space goes after a sentence, not two like we were taught in typing class? I'm sure you knew that. You're a piece of literary wonder, after all. Why shouldn't you know that? (Notice me practicing. ONE space. Resist the urge to double-space-bar...)

In any event, I hope my readers (all three of them) are ready for my next blog. It's going to be really b*tchy. No, don't get excited. I said b*tchy, not b*tchING. It really won't be all that thrilling. Just something I need to get off my chest. The topic? Well, I won't give away the whole topic, but I will share one detail. One of the pieces of evidence to support my next hypothesis: Fred Phelps. Anger ensues. I can see you react with rage at the sound of his name. ("And tell me, how does that make you feeeeeel.") Should be an exciting topic, eh?

The only question is, should it be a video-blog or type-script? Now before you answer, I know six-minute video blogs are difficult to watch. I don't have time to poop most days - who has time to watch someone rant about music or genetic material for six minutes? The same goes for three-page-long typed blogs. They're just too long. I receive feedback well, and I am working on this. Trust.

That being said, I want to leave this choice up to you, Dr. Blog. Video or written-word? Your choice.

Please let me know ASAP. Actually, take your time. In fact, this whole letter ploy is really just an attempt to buy me more time to write this paper. But I didn't want to leave you lonely. You are loved.

Oh, and if you want to grade these exams for me, that'd be super.

Cordially,

Dr. K.

The Algebra of Loneliness

We all think we need someone else; someone to have, someone to hold, someone to talk to. We all innately feel like a puzzle, with pieces missing.

I don't think that's how it's supposed to be:

Loneliness is sadness about being without someone.
[Loneliness=(sadness) x (me-someone else)]

To fix loneliness, we believe we must have that someone else.
[Not loneliness=(happiness) x (me+someone else)]
[Not loneliness=1/loneliness]
[Happiness=1/sadness]

So we try to find that +someone else to add. And when it doesn't happen (yet, or not soon enough) we resume being lonely.

But I propose there's another formula we have yet to consider.
[Not loneliness=(happiness) x (me-someone else)

The way to fix loneliness is not to desperately search, no matter the cost, for that "someone else." It's instead to make the choice to be happy about who we are by ourselves, without someone else added into the equation.

I used to hear this all the time, without believe it was the case for me. "I'm happy with myself!" I would say. And, for the most part, I was. But I still thought (knew) my life would be incomplete/unhappy without someone else. If that's true, if I need someone else to feel (fully) happy, I can't be happy with myself, now can I?

Fulfillment is happiness with yourself. Fulfillment is happiness with you by yourself. Whether you find someone or not is not the issue.

I now see the puzzle as finished, complete, and beautiful. There are no pieces missing. It's a masterpiece by itself.
If and when I find a "frame" to put it in, I can put it on proud display, and I will pick out that frame when the time comes. But it's not here yet. And I'm more than fine with that.

[Not loneliness=(happiness) x (me)]

Look-Alike Couples

Ever seen a couple walking down the street and you're thinking, "wow - either they're brother and sister or they REALLY look a lot alike!"?

This phenomenon, as well as my own boredom, is explored at length.
Shot on-location on the University campus.
With special guest, Amanda. :)

The sun will still rise on Wednesday

November 4 will come and go; of this I am sure.

Obama or Nobama.  McCain or McCan't.  It won't really matter in the end, I promise you this.

Sure, we have our preferences.  We all (undecideds notwithstanding) have who we would be more comfortable being President.  The results of the election will surely affect our well-being over the next four (or eight) years.  But ultimately, we'll move on.  We've endured a civil war, the alienation of rights to certain minority people groups, and an economic blackout (I'm

 referencing the Great Depression - it's nowhere near that bad now, get real);  and look how far we have come since that time.  We'll do it again.  I promise.

But what I really want - what would be reeeeally great - is if, whoever wins, we could all just get along again.  

I'm sick of people being rude to neighbors just because they don't share a political affiliation.  I'm appalled by fights being started over proposition 712123  and amendment Z.  I'm sick of my country, the most peaceful country in the world, looking like Cuba or some other political warzone.  You get your chance to speak your mind on Tuesday.  Use it, accept the results, and then shut up about it.  Agree to disagree, and move forward.

Love your neighbor - whether he wears a blue tie or a red tie.  Do unto others as you would have them do unto you - whether he has a "A vote for Prop 8 is a vote against fags!" sign in his yard or if he has the equality bumper sticker plastered all around the neighborhood.  Give a smile to a passerby - and don't judge him by his private ballot over his character.

I'm not saying you shouldn't have your political opinions.  I'm not even saying you shouldn't be extremely passionate about those opinions.  But when you start hating people because they don't share your views, and then start persecuting them for those beliefs... That's not any America I love.  That's the tumultuous middle east.  It's the former USSR.  It's the former Iraq.  It's Darfur.  Not my country.

I can't wait until we're all Americans again.  I can't wait until November 5.

The sun will still rise on Wednesday.

The Music In Me

It's time for our first face-to-face session!!!

Woohoo.  I'm excited.