Faces In The Crowd

First of all, go click this and listen to the one called "Stem Cell". Second one down on the playlist.

http://www.paulrichardsmusic.com/jukebox/index.html

Holy crap, right?? I'm in a group of 7 of us who are playing it on the clarinet studio recital...So. Freaking. Excited.

And now, to my latest brain spew. Nothing politically-charged this time, promise. Just a lot of tired, possibly incoherent feelings.

In my recent abundance of alone time, I've really had the chance to think about something I don't think about as often as I should.

Being by myself so much makes me think how truly great it is to have people in my life who care. I have no idea where I would be if it weren't for my friends and family always bringing me back to reality when I need it. I can't even express how happy I am to be surrounded by the people I know. I mean, look at my mom and dad...yeah, I'm having one of those epiphany moments when I realize how great they really are. I think it was sparked when before break, I was all ready to sign the lease on a house for next year, my first house away from home, and I had no idea how I would pay for the security deposit. I felt bad asking them to help pay for it, being unsure of the current money situation, but they made it work. Looking back at when that happened, I've realized how truly lucky I am to have parents who support me in whatever I do. Not just when I need money, I mean hell no, they're there for all of it. When I need a hug, when I'm being a little shit, when I put the clean laundry on top of the dryer and forget to fold it, when I'm playing a concert in a faraway place at an inconvenient time, when we all sit down in the living room and watch Netflix together, all the little things like that. And the big ones, too. They find ways to make things work, even if the solution is ridiculous. They trust me, and they've stuck it out with me through all the second chances. They give me their best, even when I don't always reciprocate it. I love them, and I'm one lucky little turd.

The same things could also be said about all the other people I care about. Believe me...I'm thankful for all of you, even though I may not always be the best at showing it. Everyone I know is in my life for a reason, and while I may not get along with everyone, I still love knowing who I know and having the friends I have. So, here's to a new outlook on life, a better semester, and an all-around better time :)

Sorry to be all weepy all of a sudden, my emotions are all in a traffic jam in my head, fighting one another to get out, and the only one prevailing is sappiness. I'm having a moment...deal with it.

K, now I really need to go to bed...

Blah Blah Blah

Before I go ahead and publicly expose myself to all kinds of criticism, I just want to say one thing. I don't intend to hurt or piss off anyone with what I'm about to say. These are just observations I've made and couclusions I've drawn from them, that's all. Feel free to comment.

Now that I can actually vote, I feel it's my duty to stay as informed as I can about all these fools running around tryna be president. Putting my initial thoughts aside, I've been following several of the GOP canidates since the start of the campaign season, and trying not to judge too quickly. Alghough, in some cases, it wasn't hard to form an opinion. Here's a list of the ones who irk me so far and why.

Michelle Bachmann.

At first glance she already seems sketch, and after a closer look, that assessment isn't too far off. This woman is in favor of eliminating the US Department of Education and the National Endowment for the Arts, and thinks being gay can be cured. She doesnt give straight answers to voters' questions, and the answers she does give are twisted and backwards. According to Bachmann, arts education is a family matter, and doesn't deserve funding or to be taught in schools, despite its proven benefits to students. Gays can get married though, as long as a gay man marries a woman, or a lesbian marries a man. Explain to me how eliminating federal departments and cutting arts in schools (thereby eliminating jobs) helps the economy. Explain to me how not allowing gays and lesbians to marry helps "purify" the institution of marriage, when all it does is deprive people who love eachother of their rights.

Verdict: Boooooo. Glad you practically lost here in Iowa, now kindly GTFO.

Rick Perry.

The faith warrior, with a plan to "end Obama's war on religion". Excuse me, but since when has the separation between church and state been a crime? He's not ashamed to admit he's a Christian...yeah, so are millions of other Americans. Your point? Perry would support the elimination of the Department of Education, Commerce, and...what was that third one again? Oh wait, he can't think of it. Turned out to be the EPA, the government agency responsible for what little protection we give our environment in this country. He denies the widely accepted theory of global warming, going against 97% of all scientists, and also doesn't want to accept the fact that gay people have rights just like everyone else. Not to mention his less-than-good track record with the public, and sub-par performance in the debates thus far.

Verdict: Ew. Also, probably secretly gay (just won't admit it).

Rick Santorum.

Wanna know what an ancient Roman dictator was like? Look no further than Rick Santorum. This bigot not only thinks gay people should "just stop being gay", but thinks this country would be better off if governed by Judeo-Christian principles. What part of Reagan's quote don't you understand, the part about church and state being separate, or the fact that they should always remain separate? Ever think it's for good reason? The bible is a great book, no doubt about that, and I respect Christians as much as I respect Muslims, or Atheists, or Buddhists...but if we were to take biblical rules literally, thousands of years after they were written, civil rights (as well as HUMAN rights, for crap's sake) would be flushed down the toilet. This is a different time, society has changed. GET WITH IT. You won't get very far in life hating on people who are different just because you're uncomfortable with the modern world. I don't really know much more about this guy, but this alone is enough to both deter and disgust me.

Verdict: PLEASE stfu. Learn some tolerance, until then, talk to the booty 'cause the hand's off duty.

Newt Gingrich.

Seriously? The poster boy for rich old white guys waving their greed around...this is a no-brainer. I fail to understand what new and improved tactics he plans to bring to the white house. He's been around forever and managed to piss so many people off it's not even a big deal anymore. Not even worth any more of a rant.

Verdict: Bitch, please.

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At this point, no one has even remotely convinced me not to vote Obama. I've always maintained I'll vote for a person, not a party, and wouldn't you know it, the Democrats continue to win me over.

Peace out.