So I asked why the LLC doesn't have vending machines or concessions a few days ago. I was told that there are no vending machines because the University set aside the job of upkeep and restock of the vending machines for the blind. I initially thought that this was a good cause and so I was sated. Then I realized that there are no vending machines and therefore, no job for the blind... I found this confusing, so I asked why again, explaining my confusion. I was told that no one knew why this was. Why would the school set aside the job for the blind, then refuse to make the job available? And if the job is indeed available, why is the position not filled? I'm sure that there is some qualified blind individual who would glady meet the criteria... Does any of this make sense?

No One Deserves It

I'm really angry at people acting stupidly regarding the tsunami in Japan. People have been making some very rash, evil comments. I have seen people say that Japan deserved the tsunami because of Pearl Harbor. We bombed Japan after Pearl Harbor! They were paid back multiple fold. Most of the Japanese are friendly with the United States. We freely trade and communicate with Japan. If this event happened in America, Americans wouldn't say that we deserved it, would they? Even though we haven't been entirely innocent throughout history as well. It doesn't make sense that there is this double standard of how people are treated whether "they deserved it" or not. Some people need to mature and realize that what is in the past is in the past. Help those who need it, because one day you might need help too.

We were asked in class what topics we would prefer not to bring up in conversation. I thought on this for a long time. Realizing that I have no particular conversation that I avoid, I noticed that I look at most controversial issues like a jury. I will listen to anyone's point of view so long as they have valid basis for their statements. I will present my side of the discussion, then we will try to prove the validity of our arguments. If I cannot void the statement of my opposition, then I must amend my own beliefs. If my own beliefs are made void, then I will look for a new point of view using the information provided to me. The process repeats. Shouldn't everyone use this logic to have a proper discussion? Most people who try to have an intellectual conversation say something is right simply "because it is." I refuse to argue with anyone with this kind of simple, barbaric thought process. We should all respect each others' opinions if we take the time to back up what we say, right?

Live a Little

I was having a conversation earlier with some friends and we were discussing how we have done some stupid, yet fun activities over the years. In the end, the conversation eventually became all of us talking about our previous injuries and how we got them. Then I realized that most parents don’t even allow their kids to come anywhere near a risk anymore. I’m starting to think that parents in America are becoming more overprotective of their children. I don’t understand why people would take all the fun out of life. I mean, life would be pretty bland without danger. Kids learn from their mistakes, so shouldn’t people let them make them first? I’m not telling parents to throw their kids into harms way, but seriously, how many times have you heard of a kid dying from an accident in a “non child proof everything” house? I have a collection of past mistakes which I’ve learned from, so as not to repeat the past, and I wouldn’t trade any of those experiences for anything. Parents should let their children live a little. If they don’t, then they are taking away the real lives of their children.

Time for Change...The True Worth of a Man idk

So I've been thinking a lot lately. I've been in kind of a funk for the past couple of weeks. So here it goes.

I’ve tried to change a few things about my life since I’ve come to college. I realize that I’m not getting any younger and I’ve got a lot of regrets. To start off, I want to get back into shape. I’ve recently hit the gym and changed my diet. I’ve lost 23 lbs so far and plan to lose another 25 by summer. I want to be healthier and I want to not be ashamed of myself. It’s important for someone respect himself. I give off a bit of a false sense of an ego as a façade to hide how I see myself. I humbly beg forgiveness for the offense I have committed. I never intentionally pushed anyone away. I have crashed and burned in relationships when I could have done better. I'm sorry for that the most. I should have been a better man. When you're ready to die for someone, no amount of effort is enough. I shouldn't have given up so easily. I have hated a lot about myself for a long time, but I’m beginning to see that I have held myself to unreasonably high standards. I saw (and still partially do) see my mistakes and faults as unforgivable things. Recently, I think… life has more to it than this… A boy grows into a man when he realizes that being perfect is not what’s important in life. He should strive for being who he wants to be, but not consider himself a failure if he doesn’t measure up. Even if he is lost in the dark or condemned by all who oppose him, he still has those who care for him and that which he must protect at all costs (his life code).  For it is the way a man lives that determines whether he is an angel or a demon. He needs a life worth something damnit! He needs to die with his head held high, not hung in shame and fear. He needs to die with a smile on his face, not tears from the past.

In short, I don’t want to be a man who hates himself.

I want to be a man who is successful.

I want to be a man who is intelligent.

I want to be a man who is attractive.

 I want to be a gentleman.

 I want to be a man who has a woman to love and be loved by…

But I realize that I won’t get all of that from life.

And I also realize that I will get some of that from life.

I have worth.

I don’t want to go through life with regrets. I want to be a man who can be proud of himself for once.

And I apologize for who I have been up to this point and intend to make up for it.

Consider all past accomplishments null and void for the time being.

Thank you for your time.

...I started to ramble there for a while, didn't I? oops...

Zombie Movies Dying out?

So I was looking for good movies to watch lately and I found myself really angry by the end of the entire experience. I looked all day and found a few that I like, but there weren’t any good zombie movies! I am and have always been an enormous fan of zombie movies. I personally think they are some of the best types of horror films (and they help for preparing for the future lol jk). I was just kind of let down to see that they were dying out. I’m waiting for the next cycle of zombie movies to be up in the theatres again. I remember when I first saw Night of the Living Dead and Dawn of the Dead. I was terrified and entranced by the way the zombies were so alike to us, yet so foreign. I rooted for the survivors to hold out. I was depressed when one of them died or was bitten. We’ve all shouted, “don’t do that!” or “don’t go in there!” at least once while watching a zombie movie.

A series recently came on AMC called “The Walking Dead.” I thought it was pretty good. It showed the directors breaking away from the classic styles for zombie movies. The characters aren’t the characteristically stupid “do everything as wrong as possible” people. So I guess there is some hope for a zombie movie enthusiast out there until they become popular again.

It's Your Future, Be Passionate about It

It was nice to hear from someone who was passionate about their work today. I personally liked what Whitney Jo had to say today about her work in the arts. I agree that someone should be passionate about who they are and what they do. I’m a mechanical engineering major because I have a passion for fixing problems with the world’s machines and for trying to reduce the general damage done to the earth by machines. I feel that by helping make others’ lives easier, I am giving back to the world and those I love who inhabit it. I see that the world is making more and more of a change directed toward technology and automation and I see engineering as a way to make this change simpler. I see my designing as a way to materialize a world I want and to fill it with complex, beautiful, moving parts. I can manipulate everything my mind can create and illustrate it however I want.

            Whitney had a lot to say about her past. She went through a lot of financial hardship to get where she wants to be. She loves what she does and refuses to quit simply because someone doesn’t agree with her view. I want to be a man like that once I’m out of college and out in the world. She is not only successful in her life, but in others’ lives as well. Making a difference in the lives of others seemed to be just as rewarding as making a difference in her own. I wish her the best of luck in her future.

Countless, Tiny, Unique Snowflakes

I just realized last Thursday how amazing snow is. I was having a really bad day and was generally apathetic toward most things. Then it started snowing and it was amazing. I felt outstanding once the snow started falling. It was like it was an eraser for my bad feelings. All of a sudden I started to realize a few things about it. When I look at snow, I see limitless possibilities. Speaking from an emotional standpoint, snow is beautiful. It drifts lazily down from the heavens to grace the eyes of mortals. However when I look from a scientific standpoint, I see that snow is one of the most complex structures in the universe. Every snowflake is different. They all have unique crystallized structures. So thinking with both of these qualities in mind, I feel happy because the situation shows me that if nature can make something so complex, beautiful, and plentiful by mere accident, then we all have to be able to accomplish something with effort. We have to be able to make something that makes a difference. This something will be ethereal and permanent, not fleeting and worthless. I can just stand in the snow and imagine all of the opportunities that will be taken. All of the ways the world around us can change become evident. This little random thing, this “snow” shows me hope for the world and gives my heart peace. Then again, who knows? It could be that everything in life is made up of a series of random coincidences which have accidently brought about all events and matter. Maybe everything I’m saying is gibberish, but it’s the thought that counts, right?