Sweet Tea and a Cloudy Sky

I’m not sure I know myself very well at all. In the movie Juno, Mac MacGuff says, “I thought you were the kind of girl who knew when to say when,” to which Juno responds, “I don’t know what kind of girl I am.” This statement speaks to me, and I feel much the same sentiment. Often people make statements about me, or are surprised when I say certain things or act certain ways. I am often confused, frustrated, and occasionally hurt by these statements, because I don’t usually think of myself the same way other people are making me seem. This feeling is described and explained very well in this video by Ze Frank, specifically starting around 2:30:

“Lots of things can stand in your way, especially the people who are closest to you. Your family, your closest friends, think they know you and sometimes can have a very rigid definition of your theme: “You were never athletic.” “You always start things and never finish them.” “You’re not a naughty boy.” “You’re artsy.” “Your theme isn’t just made up by you.” Robert Putnam, in a book called ‘Bowling Alone’ says this inner circle is very good at supporting you in times of crisis. When you’re emotionally severed, they can remind you who you are. But if you wanna change who you are, you might need other people. People who know you but don’t know you so well. Putnam says that that’s what knitting circles and bowling leagues and clubs supplied in the middle of last century. People who would surprise you by saying, “Wow, you’re athletic.” “You do have a way with words.” “You seem like a naughty boy.” These are the people who seem like they can lead you to a new, interesting job. These are the people who provide you with new themes and new perspectives, away from the burden of history of your inner circle.”

I realize that I so often ignore as much of the world as I can and just let things happen to me. I choose ignorance over knowledge because I am afraid of things such as failure or rejection. This fear drives me to hide within my own inner circle, to keep to myself and stay around what I know to be ‘safe’. This is what causes me to stay within the same activities, as well as avoid taking risks of any sort. I’m afraid to start anything because I’m afraid of doing it poorly. I stay stuck within my own theme, never venture outside my inner circle, and never explore new things. I’m forcing the same old theme upon myself.

This is the first article in the series on normalcy! Article written by Bes.

Recently, while pondering over the idea of what the society dictates for others to follow, Marie Lianne and myself were discussing the idea of what “normal” means in the society. The concept of normal applies to most of the things in our daily lives, even when we do not use that word. If people consider something to be acceptable by the majority, it seems like a normal thing to do, or a normal phenomenon. If there is anything that many people would consider irregular, or not a naturally recurring phenomenon that can be accepted easily, people consider it to be something far from normal.

Look at the picture in this paragraph for a very gentle example. Would you consider what the guy in the picture is doing a “normal” thing that guys his age and size do? I do, because I would want to do that and more myself. How about you? What do you consider normal about this picture? What do you consider abnormal about this picture?

This is the first in a series of articles revolving around the concept of normality, and what “normal” is considered to be. Today, this article will briefly focus on thoughts that revolve around the meaning of the word “Normal.”

Please continue reading this article at TheReasoner.com!

I will be writing an article in response/bouncing off of these ideas that should be published in a while! Please leave your comments, as input will be considered when writing future articles!

Can we seriously just talk for a minute about how angry this article makes me?

Gar-Field: Graduation ceremony remembers late principal

If you didn’t read it, at least pull it up in another tab for reference.
Now. Look at the picture. Look at the title. How are these two things related, except for the event around which they are centered? Why is there a picture of a couple kissing for an article about commemorating the dead principal?

Now. The people who wrote this article presumably do not know the couple pictured. There’s mention of their names in the caption. I, however do know these people. I found this article because of a link on Angela’s facebook page. The people that are being linked to this article do not care about the content, just the fact that “Oh wow my friends’ picture was in the paper!”

From a photojournalistic standpoint. I used to be on the yearbook staff in my high school. The same high school featured in this article actually. What we learned was not to include photos of couples, since there’s no guarantee that they’ll still be together. Well….more that, if the pictures are used, they have to be ‘innocent’ photos and the caption says something along the lines of ‘friends.’
It’s high school. There is nothing saying this is a good solid relationship. What if the inclusion of this photo caused drama and messed things up?

Now. The rest of the article. Why does it jump around so much? One minute we’re reading about Dr. Aiken, the next we find out who the valedictorian and salutatorian were, and then we’re hearing advice from Tara Wheeler.

I’ll admit, I didn’t go to the ceremony this year. I’m kind of glad, being around all those red robes would have made me mad. They were blue for so long…-sigh-. As someone who didn’t go to the ceremony, I would have enjoyed at least being able to read proper coverage about it. Where is the cliche copy about how parents eyes were moist, friends ran off celebrating, basically all the stuff that I didn’t get to experience at mine? WHERE IS THIS SAPPY STUFF?

I’m so mad about this. I bet it’s probably not a big deal to anyone else in the world. Just me.

Should I let my imagination go and think up futures? Should I allow myself to create my perfect world and think out how I want my life to be? Is it wise to let myself daydream and possibly be hurt if/when things don’t go my way? Is the risk of disappointment worth the satisfaction of getting my thoughts, desires and silly wishes down on paper?

I guess even when it seems like life is handed to you on a silver platter, you still have to find something to complain about.