Why is it?

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     While pondering life, and the greatness of it, I realized something.  It must be one of the greatest common ironies of life.  This irony being, that the people closest to us, are often the ones we express ourselves the least to.

     When I say express ourselves... I don't just mean by talking, I mean, simply making things known in a straightforward way.  Often, I will express to a perfect stranger, "Hey, I really like your hair."  Sometimes, I will even praise a person's choice of book or music.  However, how often do I tell my own family that I like how they’re dressed, or say, "I love that TV show! I am glad we can like it together."?

     I think that sometimes, we forget to not take those close to us for granted.  I will often get caught up in something, and forget to mention things because it seems 'obvious.'  Such as, I obviously liked the present I gave this kid, so why should I mention that I think he looks dashing wearing it?  Well, sometimes, the things that seem simple, and not necessary, can be the things that might bring the most pleasure to someone.

     I just go around assuming that my friends know how much I love hanging with them, because I try to make it happen regularly.  But, why don't I ever just take 5 seconds and tell them?  It can't be because I'm "too busy" because who is too busy to take a moment to say something?  However, the fact is that I don't mention the little things that make me happy.

     A friend told me that I should write a list of things that make me happy.  At first, I was going to list blessings, however, then I thought about it, and I decided to write about things that are simply... nice.  It is very strange to look at it and realize that many of these 'nice' things are things that I could say thanks to people for... Such as when somebody saves me a seat in class, or has a place they want me to sit; being invited over to somebody's house to hangout; and being asked to dance, even if they felt like it was a little late to ask.

     There are SO many things I could say that make me happy, and that I've never even thought to thank my family, or friends for... So, I'd like to take a moment to tell everyone who has touched my life in some way: Thank you!  My parents, my siblings, my extended family, and my friends.... you all deserve to be thanked.  Maybe someday I will get better at voicing myself to those who matter.  Starting now, I am going to try and get better at it.

My Belief in Realism

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    Recently I watched a video that presented the Realism Theory.  You can watch this video by clicking here.

    In case you are like I usually am (and didn't watch the video) let me explain briefly what the video was about.  Pretty much it simply presents the fact that we don't know for sure that anything is real.  We can feel what's around us, and we can hear things...  but no one can know that it is in fact real, and not made up by our own mind.  The idea that what we can touch, see, hear, taste, and smell are in fact a part of reality is called the Realism Theory.  The idea that we can, in fact, see reality and are currently experiencing it is only, in all reality, a theory.

    In the video it presents a case where a woman got out of serving time in jail because she was convinced that she was living in the matrix and that her actions didn't matter or hurt anyone.  Obviously she was labeled as crazy.  But the strange thought is that maybe she isn't crazy and those, including myself, who believe in reality as we see and feel it are truly the 'crazy' ones.  In that case most of humanity would be crazy. 

    This leads me to discuss the question my mind presented to myself:  "Why should I continue to believe in Realism if I don't know its true?"  This question is one that is very simple for me to answer.  I answer it like I answer myself when I am logically picking apart religion. 

    My answer is:  "Why not?"

    Now this may seem to not be a very satisfactory answer, however for me it is sufficient.  I come to it by putting aside the fact that I may be a disembodied spirit in a trancelike state somewhere in a real person's pocket, and by realizing that even though I don't know what exactly is going on outside of my own head...  what I choose to believe may actually be the truth. 

    Thus, what I choose to believe is chosen because I want to be happy and as good of a person as I can.  I choose to believe in the Realism Theory because if it is in fact real then I can live through my life being a good person and not hurting people.  What I do will actually matter and effect others.  If I chose not to believe in the Realism Theory then what would keep me from hurting others?  If none of what I experience is real, then why should I treat others kindly? 

    Because I do choose to believe in the idea that what I sense is in fact real, and I wish to be the best person I can be...  I do in fact care about how I act, and how my actions affect others.

Let Me Speak of Valentines Day

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     Valentines Day...  I think its probably once was a really cute idea to have this day dedicated to 'love' and 'passion.'  However, now it seems like its just a day of commercialism.  Everywhere there are adds trying to make people buy something bigger and supposedly 'better' in order to express their love.  I think this idea that we almost have to 'out-do' others in expressing our love is sad.  I mean, don't get me wrong... I love the idea of getting chocolate/a present however, I don't think anybody should ever stress about how big is 'big enough.'  Personally, I think love should be shown year round, not just on one day of the year.

     That all being said, its still nice to have a day that reminds us to maybe do something a little extra special.  It is still nice to have a day that reminds you to express your appreciation of friends, family, and maybe a special someone in a way that you usually wouldn't.

     So, lets try to make today nice for those we love/appreciate, and yet remember to keep showing are appreciation even after the day ends.  Don't just keep it store bought!

     Now for some love poetry snippets just because:

"When you lose your way through your own hair, 
do not forget me, remember that I love you.
Don't let me wander lost - without your hair-"

"I say love, and the world fills with doves.
Each syllable of mine makes the spring arrive."

"so the day weaves and unweaves its heavenly net, 
with time, salt, whispers, growth, roads,
a woman, a man, and winter on the earth."

"I am because you are, 
since then you are, I am, we are, 
and through love I will be, you will be, we'll be."

"Then love knew it was called love .
And when I lifted my eyes to your name, 
suddenly your heart showed me my way." 

"I love you, on your lips I kiss happiness itself."

"there is only your glance against so much emptiness, 
only your light against extinction, 
only your love to shut out the shadows."
-All by: Pablo Neruda

     This post is dedicated to my wonderful mother and father who have taught me that love is more then just how much somebody is willing to buy for you or give you physically.

Doctor Who

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     Doctor Who... what to say... hmmmm...

     Well, how about I go with what I am thinking which is pretty much this: I NEVER thought I'd like Doctor Who... well before August that is.  Here is the thing.  I really did try, hard, to like it for awhile.  Unfortunately the first season I watched was just kinda lame.  I mean, Rose Tyler.  Come-on?  Who likes her?!  I might have just offended someone.  Sorry!  But really, the first Episodes with the 9th Doctor were truly... not my thing.  The computer graphics were strange, Rose was terrible, and I was expecting something 'scary.' 

     Somehow I got through that season though and my 'work' payed off.  I surprised myself... I don't know when, but at some point I realized that I liked the show.  I found myself laughing at the wonderful things the Doctor says, and even though I never really liked Rose, I found her bearable.  I may have even cried when she left the Doctor.

     I truly enjoy it now and would say I'm pretty much a whovian and that bow ties, converse, and Tardis Blue are some of my favorite things because of it.

     Now I think I've sufficiently said all I want to about Doctor Who.  Though I could say more... why should I?  Okay... actually... I'm just going to continue on with it.  So, here I go with a list:

Reasons I like Doctor Who:

1.   The Doctor is a gentleman, and its nice. 
2.   The Tardis is bigger on the inside, and smaller on the outside... which is just fun.  
3.   I laugh almost every episode (after that first season this definitely applies).
4.   I love a lot of the side characters.
5.   Doctor Who gives you something to talk about.  It just does.  It's a fact people. 
6.   David Tenant made me cry... a couple of times.  He was wonderful. 
7.   Even though I cried when David Tenant left (and felt like I might hate the show again) I fell in love with Matt Smith and now I can't imagine his leaving.  Well... I can imagine it.... I might cry... a lot. 
8.   Bow ties are legitimately cool in of themselves and the Doctor liking them makes it that much better.
9.   I can watch the show with my WHOLE family!!  Their aren't a lot of shows you can do that with.  Although, I still think Firefly is the best TV show still I do enjoy the Doctor's family friendly-ness. 
10.   I just like it... its funny.  Its enjoyable.  How do you explain love? I don't know.  How do you explain liking Doctor Who?  I don't know... 

I will be back with something different latter.  For now, I shall enjoy being a teenage browncoat whovian.
Let me leave you with a quote: "Wibbly wobbly timey wimey... stuff."