Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Random Picture
I just came across this photo in my miscellaneous pictures folder. I found it somewhere random online, probably through stumbleupon, and unfortunately I never wrote down who took it. But it's pretty sick.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Ramble on Internet Wiretapping
Take a look at this article, which was in the subject line of my NY Times email this morning.
The gist is, terrorists used to communicate via means that the government could easily tap - mainly the telephone - but now there are ways of communication that the government doesn't have the technological ability intercept. For example, encrypted emails (such as those trasmitted by BlackBerries), Facebook, and Skype. So now, the Obama administration is planning to submit a bill to Congress that would basically require such means of communication to be interceptable.
According to the article, new requirements would be:
I can't decide how I feel about this. Of course, my gut reaction is "Hey government, get off my Facebook and get out of my inbox!" I mean no one wants the government to be able to hack into their Skype conversations or arrest them because they wrote "Obama sucks" on someone else's Facebook wall. Plus, it's reminding me of post-9/11 Bush all over again (although to be fair, most of the information I have on the whole arresting-innocent-people thing comes from Farenheit 911). But still, I thought we were maybe moving away from the Patriot Act and back towards privacy except with a warrant.
Then again, maybe it's not such a bad thing. Why should there be such a loophole, such a gap in our security where terrorists can easily communicate? Before the technologies developed away from it, the government could always intercept communications. And really, the main purpose of the FBI and the CIA is to keep us safe. This supposed bill wouldn't even give them more power per se, it would just maintain the investigative powers the government already has, and anyway, no one says that they're going to be banging down doors and torturing people for three days just because of an "Obama sucks" comment. So it's fine, as long as they don't abuse this power. Right? Or should they not be able to tap private communications in the first place? When is it Big Brother, and when is it protecting the well-being of American citizens?
For example, the Times Square bombing that failed in May might've been prevented completely if the government had been able to intercept the terrorists' communications. Investigations into things like drug cartels would be possible. It seems like it's in our best interests for our governmental intelligence agencies not to be hindered in working to stop terrorists. What they do makes all of us safer. So where's the line where those of us who have nothing to fear sacrifice some personal privacy in order to increase national security? But then again, how can we really trust that the government will use that power well if it's granted? Based on the fact that technologies have moved away from being interceptable by the government, is it really fair to require the creators of such technologies to put time, money, and effort into altering their systems just so that the government can hack in?
Mmkay, I think this ramble is long enough. We'll see if this plan even goes anywhere. But it surprised me when I read about it this morning, and then I talked about it with some people at lunch, and I figured it'd be a good topic to ramble about.
The gist is, terrorists used to communicate via means that the government could easily tap - mainly the telephone - but now there are ways of communication that the government doesn't have the technological ability intercept. For example, encrypted emails (such as those trasmitted by BlackBerries), Facebook, and Skype. So now, the Obama administration is planning to submit a bill to Congress that would basically require such means of communication to be interceptable.
According to the article, new requirements would be:
- Communications services that encrypt messages must have a way to unscramble them.
- Foreign-based providers that do business inside the United States must install a domestic office capable of performing intercepts.
- Developers of software that enables peer-to-peer communication must redesign their service to allow interception.
I can't decide how I feel about this. Of course, my gut reaction is "Hey government, get off my Facebook and get out of my inbox!" I mean no one wants the government to be able to hack into their Skype conversations or arrest them because they wrote "Obama sucks" on someone else's Facebook wall. Plus, it's reminding me of post-9/11 Bush all over again (although to be fair, most of the information I have on the whole arresting-innocent-people thing comes from Farenheit 911). But still, I thought we were maybe moving away from the Patriot Act and back towards privacy except with a warrant.
Then again, maybe it's not such a bad thing. Why should there be such a loophole, such a gap in our security where terrorists can easily communicate? Before the technologies developed away from it, the government could always intercept communications. And really, the main purpose of the FBI and the CIA is to keep us safe. This supposed bill wouldn't even give them more power per se, it would just maintain the investigative powers the government already has, and anyway, no one says that they're going to be banging down doors and torturing people for three days just because of an "Obama sucks" comment. So it's fine, as long as they don't abuse this power. Right? Or should they not be able to tap private communications in the first place? When is it Big Brother, and when is it protecting the well-being of American citizens?
For example, the Times Square bombing that failed in May might've been prevented completely if the government had been able to intercept the terrorists' communications. Investigations into things like drug cartels would be possible. It seems like it's in our best interests for our governmental intelligence agencies not to be hindered in working to stop terrorists. What they do makes all of us safer. So where's the line where those of us who have nothing to fear sacrifice some personal privacy in order to increase national security? But then again, how can we really trust that the government will use that power well if it's granted? Based on the fact that technologies have moved away from being interceptable by the government, is it really fair to require the creators of such technologies to put time, money, and effort into altering their systems just so that the government can hack in?
Mmkay, I think this ramble is long enough. We'll see if this plan even goes anywhere. But it surprised me when I read about it this morning, and then I talked about it with some people at lunch, and I figured it'd be a good topic to ramble about.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Friday, September 17, 2010
Dude, this blows my mind.
Watch this video.
I'm now having one of those, Holy-Crap-We-Are-SO-SMALL moments. How is it that we even exist?! How is it that everything exists? So much exists! And it's SO FAR AWAY!
Clearly this video has removed my ability to articulate just about anything. So fair warning.
Okay, so some scientists decide to do a little experiment, and we point our strongest telescope at so-called nothing, blackness. And what do we see? Three thousand galaxies. Oh, cool, so what we thought was empty space is actually 3000 galaxies moving away from us in some cases faster than the speed of light. And each one of those galaxies has hundreds of billions of stars. And some of those stars have planets and goodness even knows what else. And those are just the ones we saw at that moment with the limited capabilities of one telescope.
And we are just one little planet in one little galaxy, and for heaven's sake (no pun intended) we think we are the center of it all. We think the Sun is cool?! We think the Earth is special? SPACE IS SO BIG! Just think what's out there!!! And these light specs, these photons, have been just chilling, flying through space, for billions of years. That's so long!
Omg. It doesn't even look real. I don't know what to do with myself. My brain can't even comprehend. And probably about 30 seconds after I post this I won't really care that much anymore. But seriously, how cool is this?!
Ok I'm gonna go do something with my life now besides blog on a Friday night...
I'm now having one of those, Holy-Crap-We-Are-SO-SMALL moments. How is it that we even exist?! How is it that everything exists? So much exists! And it's SO FAR AWAY!
Clearly this video has removed my ability to articulate just about anything. So fair warning.
Okay, so some scientists decide to do a little experiment, and we point our strongest telescope at so-called nothing, blackness. And what do we see? Three thousand galaxies. Oh, cool, so what we thought was empty space is actually 3000 galaxies moving away from us in some cases faster than the speed of light. And each one of those galaxies has hundreds of billions of stars. And some of those stars have planets and goodness even knows what else. And those are just the ones we saw at that moment with the limited capabilities of one telescope.
And we are just one little planet in one little galaxy, and for heaven's sake (no pun intended) we think we are the center of it all. We think the Sun is cool?! We think the Earth is special? SPACE IS SO BIG! Just think what's out there!!! And these light specs, these photons, have been just chilling, flying through space, for billions of years. That's so long!
Omg. It doesn't even look real. I don't know what to do with myself. My brain can't even comprehend. And probably about 30 seconds after I post this I won't really care that much anymore. But seriously, how cool is this?!
Ok I'm gonna go do something with my life now besides blog on a Friday night...
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Ramble on September 11th, Etc.
First of all, Burn a Quran Day?! What the fuck. September 11th was once a day that brought Americans together, united the nation, reminded us of the ideals on which our country was founded. One of those is freedom of religion. How did this day, for some, turn into a day for hating all people of a certain faith?
I feel like I'm preaching to the choir. I'm pretty sure anyone reading this would agree with me that Islam is not a hateful, terrorism-happy religion. But how can we change the people behind Burn a Quran Day, behind the opposition to the mosque being built at Ground Zero? How can we stop people from thinking that Islam is an evil religion that has no place on American soil, much less near the site of an attack that was supposedly carried out by Islam as a whole?
And anyway, do I really have a right to claim that my preachings of love, tolerance, and so-called open-mindedness are any more legit than their unwavering belief that anyone who doesn't believe in Jesus as the savior/almighty/son of God is evil? Freedom of religion and speech, right? I mean, that's a bit extreme, but more generally, who am I to legitimately claim that my liberal beliefs are more legitimate than conservative beliefs, just because more people I know agree with me?
We have freedom of speech in this country. We have elections, so that the masses can have a voice and change the government if they want to. But sometimes I feel like the masses are getting dumber and dumber. Obviously that's a giant overstatement. It's not actually that many people; they're just disproportionately covered in the media. It's really not the masses at all. It's just that it gets me so angry.
So on a completely different note: May all those who passed away on September 11, 2001 rest in peace; may their families and friends find comfort; and may this country continue to move forward in strength and love.
I feel like I'm preaching to the choir. I'm pretty sure anyone reading this would agree with me that Islam is not a hateful, terrorism-happy religion. But how can we change the people behind Burn a Quran Day, behind the opposition to the mosque being built at Ground Zero? How can we stop people from thinking that Islam is an evil religion that has no place on American soil, much less near the site of an attack that was supposedly carried out by Islam as a whole?
And anyway, do I really have a right to claim that my preachings of love, tolerance, and so-called open-mindedness are any more legit than their unwavering belief that anyone who doesn't believe in Jesus as the savior/almighty/son of God is evil? Freedom of religion and speech, right? I mean, that's a bit extreme, but more generally, who am I to legitimately claim that my liberal beliefs are more legitimate than conservative beliefs, just because more people I know agree with me?
We have freedom of speech in this country. We have elections, so that the masses can have a voice and change the government if they want to. But sometimes I feel like the masses are getting dumber and dumber. Obviously that's a giant overstatement. It's not actually that many people; they're just disproportionately covered in the media. It's really not the masses at all. It's just that it gets me so angry.
So on a completely different note: May all those who passed away on September 11, 2001 rest in peace; may their families and friends find comfort; and may this country continue to move forward in strength and love.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Ramble on Multiculturalism
Wow, what a Haverfordian topic to ramble about. But of course, our discussions yesterday made me think, and when I think it's a good excuse to blog.
So if you go to Haverford, what I'm saying might be familiar, just because I feel like we talk about this so much. Or maybe just cause we talked about it yesterday. But my main pet peeve with how we tend to use the word "multicultural" on campus and even in society at large is that it tends to mean either "not white" or "including large number of races/ethnicities." So a multicultural student might be a student who isn't white, or if a high school adopts a multicultural standpoint (I know there's a better word but I'm sleep deprived and can't think of it), it embraces all the cultures - meaning races and immigrant ethnicities - of the students who go there, rather than trying to Americanize all of them or something.
But culture is a way broader word than that. It's not just about your skin color and where you're from. Culture can mean the food you eat, or the diversity of where you live, or your class, or the general socioeconomic status of the people where you live, or the traditions, or the commonly accepted values. So sure, ethnicity and race can cover a lot of those things, because people of one ethnicity might eat similar foods or hold the same general values. But although I feel like I'm not considered a multicultural student at Haverford because I'm white, I consider myself to be multicultural mainly because I'm Jewish and because I identify as LGBT and am so much a part of that community and those two cultures. (Or, well, I'm starting to have a problem with that acronym because the LGBT community tends to turn its back on its T members so often, but that's another ramble.) So while I and so many other white students here could bring a diverse perspective to things like Honor Council trials, we aren't considered to be "multicultural" members of a jury because we're white and thus not considered "multicultural." I feel like when we talk about multiculturalism here, we're talking about race, maybe country of origin or family origin. Who gets invited to Spectrum and Multicultural Weekend? Mostly specs of color. (Haha, that sounds like I took paint and flung it at a wall and then there were specs of color. Spec = Prospective student. Need sleep.) Then again, we aren't really asked to identify our sexuality or our religion on college applications, so how should they know? But there are other ways, I think. Like I put down youth group, temple committees, and GSA on my app. I just feel that race and nationality/ethnicity are not the only kinds of culture that should be included in the term "multiculturalism," especially at Haverford where we have a fairly diverse student body in so many aspects of life.
So if you go to Haverford, what I'm saying might be familiar, just because I feel like we talk about this so much. Or maybe just cause we talked about it yesterday. But my main pet peeve with how we tend to use the word "multicultural" on campus and even in society at large is that it tends to mean either "not white" or "including large number of races/ethnicities." So a multicultural student might be a student who isn't white, or if a high school adopts a multicultural standpoint (I know there's a better word but I'm sleep deprived and can't think of it), it embraces all the cultures - meaning races and immigrant ethnicities - of the students who go there, rather than trying to Americanize all of them or something.
But culture is a way broader word than that. It's not just about your skin color and where you're from. Culture can mean the food you eat, or the diversity of where you live, or your class, or the general socioeconomic status of the people where you live, or the traditions, or the commonly accepted values. So sure, ethnicity and race can cover a lot of those things, because people of one ethnicity might eat similar foods or hold the same general values. But although I feel like I'm not considered a multicultural student at Haverford because I'm white, I consider myself to be multicultural mainly because I'm Jewish and because I identify as LGBT and am so much a part of that community and those two cultures. (Or, well, I'm starting to have a problem with that acronym because the LGBT community tends to turn its back on its T members so often, but that's another ramble.) So while I and so many other white students here could bring a diverse perspective to things like Honor Council trials, we aren't considered to be "multicultural" members of a jury because we're white and thus not considered "multicultural." I feel like when we talk about multiculturalism here, we're talking about race, maybe country of origin or family origin. Who gets invited to Spectrum and Multicultural Weekend? Mostly specs of color. (Haha, that sounds like I took paint and flung it at a wall and then there were specs of color. Spec = Prospective student. Need sleep.) Then again, we aren't really asked to identify our sexuality or our religion on college applications, so how should they know? But there are other ways, I think. Like I put down youth group, temple committees, and GSA on my app. I just feel that race and nationality/ethnicity are not the only kinds of culture that should be included in the term "multiculturalism," especially at Haverford where we have a fairly diverse student body in so many aspects of life.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Ramble About Nothing
Yes, it is such a riveting topic. Actually, I don't know why you're bothering to read this. But whoever you are, I love you for it anyway.
So I am a freak when it comes to packing. I think I accidentally never unpacked, cause I live my life out of plastic drawers. Plus I've been in denial all summer that I was actually home, and had to wait to go back. So then on Sunday I was like okay I'll spend this week packing! Ready, go! *20 minutes later* Wait, what else needs to go in? Oh, just my clothes and toiletries...no I'm not allowed to do that til Friday. *waits*
Seriously though, thank goodness for my mom's van. I know I made fun of it because it's red, but it's been a lifesaver in terms of how much crap I have. And shout out to my dad for driving 6 hours with me on Saturday and 6 hours back on Sunday after I move in. Yeah, he's pretty awesome like that.
So now I'm just bored. I keep losing track of what day it is - since Sunday I've thought it was Friday. I accidentally referred to when I was leaving as "tomorrow" earlier today and scared the crap out of Charly. Whoops.
Also I'm not allowed to go to bed before midnight. I need to get off grandmother time, especially since I have to stay up til 4:30ish am whatever night that is. And I generally need to get back onto college time. It's 12:28, so I guess I'm technically allowed to go to bed, but I'm not really tired. Which is the goal. But I'm still bored. And sick of the internet. So why not blog if I'm sick of the internet, right? Yeah, that makes sense.
Or I can just facbook stalk my freshmen more. Always fun.
God I hope theyre not reading this.
It's out of love, I swear!
You'll understand when you meet me.
Or maybe you'll just think I'm weird. (More likely.)
Or maybe you'll understand if any of you someday have freshmen of your own.
Yeah, you'll understand eventually.
Hopefully.
Man, I should not have license to blabber like this online after a certain time of night. It just shouldn't be allowed because people will assume I'm on drugs, or drunk (I'm not, I pinky swear), and later I'll be embarrassed about it. (It's also way too early for me to be hitting the point of delirium. But hey, at least I'm awake - one step at a time.)
Oh well. Bonus points if you read this before I take it down.
Good night!
So I am a freak when it comes to packing. I think I accidentally never unpacked, cause I live my life out of plastic drawers. Plus I've been in denial all summer that I was actually home, and had to wait to go back. So then on Sunday I was like okay I'll spend this week packing! Ready, go! *20 minutes later* Wait, what else needs to go in? Oh, just my clothes and toiletries...no I'm not allowed to do that til Friday. *waits*
Seriously though, thank goodness for my mom's van. I know I made fun of it because it's red, but it's been a lifesaver in terms of how much crap I have. And shout out to my dad for driving 6 hours with me on Saturday and 6 hours back on Sunday after I move in. Yeah, he's pretty awesome like that.
So now I'm just bored. I keep losing track of what day it is - since Sunday I've thought it was Friday. I accidentally referred to when I was leaving as "tomorrow" earlier today and scared the crap out of Charly. Whoops.
Also I'm not allowed to go to bed before midnight. I need to get off grandmother time, especially since I have to stay up til 4:30ish am whatever night that is. And I generally need to get back onto college time. It's 12:28, so I guess I'm technically allowed to go to bed, but I'm not really tired. Which is the goal. But I'm still bored. And sick of the internet. So why not blog if I'm sick of the internet, right? Yeah, that makes sense.
Or I can just facbook stalk my freshmen more. Always fun.
God I hope theyre not reading this.
It's out of love, I swear!
You'll understand when you meet me.
Or maybe you'll just think I'm weird. (More likely.)
Or maybe you'll understand if any of you someday have freshmen of your own.
Yeah, you'll understand eventually.
Hopefully.
Man, I should not have license to blabber like this online after a certain time of night. It just shouldn't be allowed because people will assume I'm on drugs, or drunk (I'm not, I pinky swear), and later I'll be embarrassed about it. (It's also way too early for me to be hitting the point of delirium. But hey, at least I'm awake - one step at a time.)
Oh well. Bonus points if you read this before I take it down.
Good night!
Saturday, August 14, 2010
More Excitedness! :D
Things I am excited about:
- I GO BACK TO SCHOOL IN ONE WEEK!!!
- seeing everyone i miss like crazy!
- Bath and Body Works has new smells. I am way more excited about this than i should be, but hey, an obsession's an obsession.
- I'm currently on the cape with some of my best friends and we're gonna go to the beach
- I can smell breakfast cooking downstairs and it smells delicious
- I'm done with work! FREEDOM!!!
- I'm actually excited to pack for school. Yes, packing makes me excited.
- Everything I just added to the list of hopes/plans/dreams for next year.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Short Feminist Vent
Today, a male coworker, probably in his late 60's, referred to me as a "cutiepie." Hello. I am 19 years old. I am not a child. I'm sure he was very well intentioned, and on the spectrum of sketchy things this was very much not that bad. But seriously.
Today, and every day, the men in the elevator let me off first. To the point of awkwardness. One of them today (the one who wasn't my dad) was actually between me and the door, but he moved aside and gestured for me to exit first.
I don't want to have to exit the elevator first. I don't want to feel weird holding the door for my dad rather than the other way around, because I'm a woman and he's being chivalrous. "Ladies first." I hold the door for everyone. People hold doors for each other.
I'm not sure really why this is pissing me off. But I don't want to receive special treatment because I'm female. I consider myself to be people's equals, but I feel like I'm not being taken seriously as an equal when I'm being let off the elevator first, or referred to as a "cutiepie" by an older male coworker.
*sigh*
Today, and every day, the men in the elevator let me off first. To the point of awkwardness. One of them today (the one who wasn't my dad) was actually between me and the door, but he moved aside and gestured for me to exit first.
I don't want to have to exit the elevator first. I don't want to feel weird holding the door for my dad rather than the other way around, because I'm a woman and he's being chivalrous. "Ladies first." I hold the door for everyone. People hold doors for each other.
I'm not sure really why this is pissing me off. But I don't want to receive special treatment because I'm female. I consider myself to be people's equals, but I feel like I'm not being taken seriously as an equal when I'm being let off the elevator first, or referred to as a "cutiepie" by an older male coworker.
*sigh*
The Match Story, Part 2
http://www.thematchstory.com/
Boston Med
ABC, tonight at 10/9c
Joseph Helfgot's story
For anyone who wants to watch...
Edit: In the Boston area, it's airing on Channel 5, WCVB TV.
Boston Med
ABC, tonight at 10/9c
Joseph Helfgot's story
For anyone who wants to watch...
Edit: In the Boston area, it's airing on Channel 5, WCVB TV.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Songs on Repeat
There are two songs I'm currently obsessing over: King of Anything by Sara Bareilles and Blue Lips by Regina Spektor. Since I've had them stuck in my head for around three days straight, I figured I'd post the lyrics. I'm doing them from memory as best I can because 1. I'm really bored and 2. maybe it'll help get them out of my head.
King of Anything by Sara Bareilles
Keep drinking coffee stare me down across the table
As I look outside
So many things I'd say if only I were able
But I just keep quiet and count the cars that pass by
You've got opinions, man
We're all entitled to them
But I never asked
So I thank you for your time
And try not to waste any more of mine
Get out of here fast
I hate to break it to you babe
But I'm not drowning
There's no one here to save
Who cares if you disagree?
You are not me
Who made you king of anything?
So you dare tell me how to be
Who died and made you king of anything?
You sound so innocent
All full of good intent
Swear you know best
But you expect me to
Jump up on board with you
Ride off into your delusional sunset
I'm not the one who's lost
With no direction, oh
But you'll never see
You're so busy making maps
With my name on them in all caps
You've got the talking down
But not the listening
Who cares if you disagree?
You are not me
Who made you king of anything?
So you dare tell me who to be
Who died and made you king of anything?
All my life, I've tried to make everybody happy while I
Just hurt, and hide
Waiting for someone to tell me it's my turn to decide
Who cares if you disagree?
You are not me
Who made you king of anything?
So you dare tell me who to be
Who died and made you king of anything?
Let me hold your crown babe
Blue Lips by Regina Spektor
He stumbled into faith and thought,
God this is all there is
The pictures in his mind arose
And began to breathe
And all the gods and all the worlds
Began colliding on a backdrop of blue
Blue lips, blue veins
He took a step but then felt tired
He said I'll rest a little while
But when he tried to walk again
He wasn't a child
And all the people hurried past, real fast
And no one ever smiled
Blue lips, blue veins
Blue, the color of our planet from far far away
Blue lips, blue veins
Blue, the color of our planet from far far away
He stumbled into faith and thought,
God this is all there is
The pictures in his mind arose
And began to breathe
And no one saw and no one heard
They just followed lead
The pictures in his mind awoke
And began to breed
They started out beneath the knowledge tree
Then they chopped it down to make white picket fences
And they marched along the railroad tracks
They smiled real wide for the camera lenses
They made it past the enemy lines
Just to become enslaved in the assembly lines
Blue lips, blue veins
Blue, the color of our planet from far far away
Blue lips, blue veins
Blue, the color of our planet from far far away
Blue, the most human color...
King of Anything by Sara Bareilles
Keep drinking coffee stare me down across the table
As I look outside
So many things I'd say if only I were able
But I just keep quiet and count the cars that pass by
You've got opinions, man
We're all entitled to them
But I never asked
So I thank you for your time
And try not to waste any more of mine
Get out of here fast
I hate to break it to you babe
But I'm not drowning
There's no one here to save
Who cares if you disagree?
You are not me
Who made you king of anything?
So you dare tell me how to be
Who died and made you king of anything?
You sound so innocent
All full of good intent
Swear you know best
But you expect me to
Jump up on board with you
Ride off into your delusional sunset
I'm not the one who's lost
With no direction, oh
But you'll never see
You're so busy making maps
With my name on them in all caps
You've got the talking down
But not the listening
Who cares if you disagree?
You are not me
Who made you king of anything?
So you dare tell me who to be
Who died and made you king of anything?
All my life, I've tried to make everybody happy while I
Just hurt, and hide
Waiting for someone to tell me it's my turn to decide
Who cares if you disagree?
You are not me
Who made you king of anything?
So you dare tell me who to be
Who died and made you king of anything?
Let me hold your crown babe
Blue Lips by Regina Spektor
He stumbled into faith and thought,
God this is all there is
The pictures in his mind arose
And began to breathe
And all the gods and all the worlds
Began colliding on a backdrop of blue
Blue lips, blue veins
He took a step but then felt tired
He said I'll rest a little while
But when he tried to walk again
He wasn't a child
And all the people hurried past, real fast
And no one ever smiled
Blue lips, blue veins
Blue, the color of our planet from far far away
Blue lips, blue veins
Blue, the color of our planet from far far away
He stumbled into faith and thought,
God this is all there is
The pictures in his mind arose
And began to breathe
And no one saw and no one heard
They just followed lead
The pictures in his mind awoke
And began to breed
They started out beneath the knowledge tree
Then they chopped it down to make white picket fences
And they marched along the railroad tracks
They smiled real wide for the camera lenses
They made it past the enemy lines
Just to become enslaved in the assembly lines
Blue lips, blue veins
Blue, the color of our planet from far far away
Blue lips, blue veins
Blue, the color of our planet from far far away
Blue, the most human color...
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Day 30 - Whatever Tickles Your Fancy
Warning: This post is kind of depressing, but not completely.
I know the woman who wrote this book. I knew her husband, and I'm friends with her older son Ben. I've known their family since before I can remember - we all vacationed together at Purity Spring Resort in New Hampshire the same week every summer since Ben and I were toddlers. "Same time, same place, every August." So I sort of have a personal connection to their lives and their story.
Joseph, Susan's husband and Ben and Jake's dad, had always had heart issues. I remember when we'd hike down this hill to Swift River every year to go tubing in the mini-rapids, he'd have some trouble getting back up. My mom would go with him a little early, before we all left, so he could take his time climbing up the hill. I knew something was wrong with his heart, but I think I was around 7 the first time I remember this happening, so I didn't think much of it. He seemed generally fine.
It got to the point where he really needed a heart transplant - actually, for maybe a year or so he was basically surviving from this mechanical heart...I don't really understand the medical aspects of it, to be honest. They finally found a match for him, but after the transplant he didn't wake up. He'd had a stroke or something. I think this was early my senior year, and I remember crying while I was driving to school that morning. He wasn't gone yet, but we'd gotten a call from another Purity family telling us what was going on, that he was on life support and they were waiting for his older children from a previous marriage to fly in before letting him go.
Ever since Joseph's problems had started and it had been clear that he'd need to be an organ donation recipient, or maybe before that, his family had always been really big supporters of organ donation. At Jake's bar mitzvah, they'd given out lime green Donate Life wrist bands to everyone. And when Joseph passed away, not only was he able to re-donate his new heart (which is rare), but the doctors came to Susan and asked if she'd give consent for him to donate his face to a recipient who'd had some sort of accident. Maybe you heard about it on the news - I think it might've been the first face donation in the U.S. or something. That was Joseph.
Now Susan is semi-famous. There was a write-up about her and Joseph's story in the Boston Globe when they did Bostonians of the Year, and then she wrote a book and started the Joseph Helfgot Foundation, and now his story is being covered on Boston Med, which is this TV show on ABC. She's creating so much life from their loss. She's amazing.
It makes me sad that Joseph's not around to see it. It makes me feel weird that all of this has happened kind of in the name of his death, without his knowing about it. I think he'd be proud though. It also makes me wonder about this belief I've always had, and I remember being taught it at temple once but I don't remember ever really being taught it after that, which is that when you do good things, you shouldn't expect recognition. But I don't think that means recognition has to be bad, when you can use that recognition for further selfless purposes, for example to spread your message of life and hope and show other people how important organ donations can be.
Anyway, I felt like rambling on that right now because we just got the news about her book's coming out and the beginning of the Joseph Helfgot Foundation. Not exactly a pick-me-up, but important to talk and think about nonetheless.
I know the woman who wrote this book. I knew her husband, and I'm friends with her older son Ben. I've known their family since before I can remember - we all vacationed together at Purity Spring Resort in New Hampshire the same week every summer since Ben and I were toddlers. "Same time, same place, every August." So I sort of have a personal connection to their lives and their story.
Joseph, Susan's husband and Ben and Jake's dad, had always had heart issues. I remember when we'd hike down this hill to Swift River every year to go tubing in the mini-rapids, he'd have some trouble getting back up. My mom would go with him a little early, before we all left, so he could take his time climbing up the hill. I knew something was wrong with his heart, but I think I was around 7 the first time I remember this happening, so I didn't think much of it. He seemed generally fine.
It got to the point where he really needed a heart transplant - actually, for maybe a year or so he was basically surviving from this mechanical heart...I don't really understand the medical aspects of it, to be honest. They finally found a match for him, but after the transplant he didn't wake up. He'd had a stroke or something. I think this was early my senior year, and I remember crying while I was driving to school that morning. He wasn't gone yet, but we'd gotten a call from another Purity family telling us what was going on, that he was on life support and they were waiting for his older children from a previous marriage to fly in before letting him go.
Ever since Joseph's problems had started and it had been clear that he'd need to be an organ donation recipient, or maybe before that, his family had always been really big supporters of organ donation. At Jake's bar mitzvah, they'd given out lime green Donate Life wrist bands to everyone. And when Joseph passed away, not only was he able to re-donate his new heart (which is rare), but the doctors came to Susan and asked if she'd give consent for him to donate his face to a recipient who'd had some sort of accident. Maybe you heard about it on the news - I think it might've been the first face donation in the U.S. or something. That was Joseph.
Now Susan is semi-famous. There was a write-up about her and Joseph's story in the Boston Globe when they did Bostonians of the Year, and then she wrote a book and started the Joseph Helfgot Foundation, and now his story is being covered on Boston Med, which is this TV show on ABC. She's creating so much life from their loss. She's amazing.
It makes me sad that Joseph's not around to see it. It makes me feel weird that all of this has happened kind of in the name of his death, without his knowing about it. I think he'd be proud though. It also makes me wonder about this belief I've always had, and I remember being taught it at temple once but I don't remember ever really being taught it after that, which is that when you do good things, you shouldn't expect recognition. But I don't think that means recognition has to be bad, when you can use that recognition for further selfless purposes, for example to spread your message of life and hope and show other people how important organ donations can be.
Anyway, I felt like rambling on that right now because we just got the news about her book's coming out and the beginning of the Joseph Helfgot Foundation. Not exactly a pick-me-up, but important to talk and think about nonetheless.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Day 29 - Hopes, Dreams and Plans for the Next 365 Days
So close to the end of this thing! I like how it's taken me the whole summer to do it, not just 30 days. Oh well.
So hopes, dreams, and plans. Hmmm. I hope/dream/plan to:
Edit: inspired by Aubree's facebook note, i'm adding some fun, more Haver-specific things to this list. i think i was in a serious mood when i wrote what's above. (and anyway, copying is the highest form of flattery, right? :P) so here are some more:
omg i smell bacon cooking downstairs...gotta run! :P i'll add more as i think of them.
So hopes, dreams, and plans. Hmmm. I hope/dream/plan to:
- Make new friends at school, especially freshmen, but also remain just as close to my friends from last year.
- Also stay close to my high school friends, as we have this year.
- Travel! Road trips, plane rides, whatever. See new places.
- Have an awesome Customs experience the second time around. Be a good CP, avoid horrible conflicts/issues or at least deal with them reasonably well, be a good mentor and supporter to my freshmen while also being friends with them and having a fairly close, fun hall, learn from my freshmen and Customs experience and hopefully they'll learn from me too, have awesome discussions during PAFs etc, maintain a close customs team with good communication and teamwork.
- Something in the dating/relationship realm? Maybe? Just sayin'...
- Improve the whole home situation, or at least maintain the improvements from this past year.
- Finalize my major/minor (Psych/Spanish?) and study abroad plans (Argentina!!!), and be happy with my decision.
- Figure out my summer plans.
- Take interesting classes that I enjoy, learn a ton, share my knowledge, not get too stressed out, gain a clearer idea of what my interests are, fulfill more requirements, get grades I'm happy with.
- Have Bryn Mawr lunches MWF first semester with Fairleigh, Alex, and Josh!
- Finish up my PE requirement.
- Go to the gym more. For real. This needs to happen.
- Find more things to ramble about so I can keep this blog going.
- Maintain balance in my life between academics, customs, friends, all my other activities, maybe a job, and general free time; keep a firm grip on my sanity and not let my stress levels get too high.
- Avoid too much drama.
- Not spend too much money.
- Do everything in moderation.
- Be just as happy with myself and my life at the end of it as I am now, if not more so.
- Do fun things over breaks, including visiting people at school and something else that's fun or at least relaxing over spring break.
- Visit Sarah at Hamilton at some point during the year.
- Get a job during the year.
- Work with the CDO to figure out winter break/June internships or jobs in a field I'm actually interested in - psychology or non-profits, or something else I/we come up with.
- Continue to be there for my friends.
- Do lots of things that make me happy.
- Do lots of things that make others happy.
- Have an awsome year!
Edit: inspired by Aubree's facebook note, i'm adding some fun, more Haver-specific things to this list. i think i was in a serious mood when i wrote what's above. (and anyway, copying is the highest form of flattery, right? :P) so here are some more:
- Lots of stargazing, with everyone. also the daytime equivalent which is laying out on Gummere and Founders greens
- Taking more sunset pictures with Hannah
- Run a kick-ass group with Abby! (step 1...become a real club. *cough Jason McGraw answer my email cough*)
- Late-night trips to Wawa; pints of ice cream may be consumed
- eating too many fries at the Coop
- Adventures in Philly! more eating at Sansom Kabob
- 3/2, 3rd section, and customs cousin adventures! which will hopefully involve philly, food, and fun
- Run away to cook/bake/do work in Alex, Jake, and Alec's apartment. home-made confections are a must.
- Movie nights with Fairleigh and Emily and Alex and Josh anyone else who wants to join
- watching more 30 Rock and The Office and Fringe late at night with Fairleigh and Alex
- avoiding getting the stomach flu and/or swine flu
- creating more delicious DC concoctions
- baking pie at Swat with Hilary and Erica
- lots of tri-co visiting in general
- eating at Panera and that diner, which are driving distance but too far to walk
- other adventures with my car! (who's up for road trips? driving to the beach? anything along similar lines?)
- founders dances!!! which will inevitably include some crazy outfits
omg i smell bacon cooking downstairs...gotta run! :P i'll add more as i think of them.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Happiness in Website Form
http://dailysquee.com/
If you've never seen this website, go look at it. In fact, if you have seen this website, go look at it. It will make you happier. :D
If you've never seen this website, go look at it. In fact, if you have seen this website, go look at it. It will make you happier. :D
