St Patrick's day: the most pointless tradition ever

   I believe in holidays honoring those who believe in religious figures. Its what makes America the place it is. However, the tradition is dumb. There is no correlation between getting as drunk as possible and St Patrick. Fyi, he wasn't even Irish (which I'm sure is why we've adopted drinking into this holiday). This is just another reason to go out and drink. I think it's stupid. As if every holiday didn't involve drinking. This one just had to be about what most young adults already do every weekend. A tradition is usually a treasured activity that is done every so often to make it that much more special.

Guy 1: it's St Patrick's day what should we do?
Guy2: not sure. What did we do last night?
Guy1: I don't remember, I was wasted.
Guy2: awesome! Lets do that

   You're dumb and your tradition is dumb. Now I have to go out to a bar because my girlfriend is dragging me there. I'm so excited to wait 30 minutes to get a beer.

Tales of The Unavoidable

   He's a nice, generous, hard-working, loving provider for his family. He worked hard and was always their for his family. However, life had different plans for him and it proves that karma does not exist. I am speaking about my cousin who recently had a stroke. Before he had a stroke, he had skin cancer that spread rapidly. For years he was under heavy treatment and surveillance. When I think about this, I can't believe it happened to him. His whole life he worked hard and helped out many people. Even during his stage of treatment he lent my brother a helping hand. My cousin is a lawyer and my brother got a DUI over a year ago. When these things happen of course we want to fight the system and avoid the worst possible penalties. I felt bad for both of them (then again my brother was double the limit of the legal BAC, so he deserved it). I mostly felt bad for my cousin because he wasn't going to say no in defending my brother. At this time, the radiation he was exposed to caused him to lose a lot of feeling in one side of his face. My dad rounded up a portable speaker system and microphone to project his voice since his speech wash difficult to decipher. God bless his soul, he worked hard and did his best to prevent the worst case scenario for my brother. That's the kind of person he is.

   He has a wife and two kids to provide for. The ages of the children . . . 4 and 7. The cancer has went into remission several times but came back in tumors in his intestine in January. The hospital quickly performed the surgery to get rid of the tumors. During the recovery, he had a stroke. I can't say he was lucky since all of this happened, but at least he was already in the hospital when this happened so time could not worsen the situation. Imagine these kids seeing their father in this state of incapacitation. It really just kills me to see him like that and the kids to see that as well. When I went to visit him, his speech was not present. The only communication available was the look of embarrassment and disgust in his eyes. I could tell he was grateful for everyone to always keep him company, but he didn't want pity, or sympathy. He didn't want people to go out of their way to make him feel better. He wished this had never happened as I'm sure everyone who has had a stroke feels. I wish I could do something, but what can anyone do besides the doctors?

   In the most recent news of his condition, the doctors discovered that the cancer is gone, but will have to stay like that for the next 14 months to declare him 100% cancer free. I just pray he recovers and that the cancer stays away for good. You're in my prayers and I hope to see you well soon, cousin.

Jerry! Jerry! Jerry!

   
  
   As the screen projects nasty, white-trash/ghetto outbursts caused by heart break and deceit, I laugh. These ridiculous people creating stupid problems for the whole world to see. I want to feel bad for these people, but honestly it just makes me feel better about my life. I don't know how some of the victims or heart break won't let go of the one who doesn't love them anymore. I also wonder why these people cheat in the first place. I would never even dream, or put myself in that situation. The only time I would ever do that is if my girlfriend cheated on me and I wanted to even things out. This would never happen though because once I found out, I would end it. I deserve better and never treated a girl so badly that she should be driven to cheating.

   What I am most disturbed about is why some of these participants decide to break up, or reveal awful things in front of thousands of people. It's bad enough that they are breaking up with someone who is hopelessly in love with them, now they have to experience the pain in front of America. I understand that some of them are traveling to the show without the knowledge, or reasons why. It really boggles me how these people can be so insensitive to go out of their way to embarrass their girlfriend/boyfriend in front of an audience. Do they not realize how cruel that is? Maybe I should stop watching such garbage.

Officially Jersey

   I guess I can officially call myself a hypocrite. I went to a tanning salon for the first time. I always said things to my girlfriend about her excessive tanning due to skin cancer.
Although, she finally won. Instead of getting her to stop, she dragged me along. I can't say I put up much of a fight. Besides, doing it once in a while won't be very damaging.

   I still find the idea of tanning quite pointless. You can almost compare it to smoking.  You are degrading your health for something that is not needed at all. Tan skin and black lungs are extremely unnecessary. In an ironic twist, people tan to look better. The twist? It's damaging your skin and when you get older, your skin will sag easier and age much quicker. So, when you're fifty get ready to be mistaken for sixty. Sun can be healthy, but being tan all of the time is quite the opposite.

Distractions

  

   What is the meaning of life? What does it mean to be successful? Is it wrong to live in the moment? Should I rid myself of distractions right now to focus on my future? I have always envied both types of people. Those who can just enjoy what they have without the future problems affecting them, and those who lock themselves in a room day after day to so well in school. I believe I am at a critical point in my life. I have delayed my future to achieve my dream, but that fell through. Now, I am 24 and pretty much finishing my freshman year of college. I don't want to live a meager life any longer with my meaningless and poor paying job. I know I have to study hard and take summer courses as well to accelerate my degree. The concept does not bother, or worry me. I think about it and become determined to not let anything get in my way, but it isn't so simple.
  
   I analyze my thoughts and feelings at the current moment all the time. When my thoughts aren't the most positive because or a current circumstance, I begin to drift away from my school work. It's not that I shut down totally and do nothing, but I don't do as much as I should. Before continuing school, I planned out my future for the coming years and wondered about my leisure time. I planned on not having much because of my job and school work. Although, I was blessed with a job that allows me enough time to complete all assignments allowing me the same amount of leisure time as before. Times are now changing and I am being reverted to my previous job prohibiting any time for school while working. The thought of allotting enough time for school, work and my family, I realized my days of youth are pretty much over.
 
   With these ideas running around in my head, it has become difficult to study and focus on homework. Everything is a distraction to me, even doing nothing. My mind still drifts towards my girlfriend, but only current thoughts. I try to think about her and building a future together which will require me to do well in school. These concepts have worked well, but becomes difficult because I have become used to instant gratification. Since doing homework does not make me happy, I quickly become depressed at the idea that my life will soon only become school and work while my parents will nag me about not seeing them enough. I am already having a rough time staying happy, so what will the more difficult years bring? I worry that I may not be able to handle it.

How unfair Mr. policeman guy

(Okay, it's a little over the top, but still funny and relevant)

   I usually agree with the sides of the law if they are somewhat oppressive towards those who are completely wrong. However, other times it's pure stupidity and a clear disregard for a fair say. My friend went to New York this weekend. On his way to a show he had to use the subway as most of the population of New York does. As he arrived at the turnstile, it seemed as if his card did not work on any of the lanes. Someone else approached them, tried and also failed. As they stared at each other in confusion, the stranger jumped the turnstile so he would not miss his train. Since the subway does not wait for anybody, my friend followed along since it was obvious that they weren't working. I would say that maybe he did not have enough money on the card, but he previously added ten dollars to the balance, clearly enough to go through.

   Instantly, they were both intercepted by an undercover cop. My brother pleaded his case, but the cop wouldn't listen. He even asked to put the metrocard into the dispensers to prove he had enough money and then to try the turnstiles. Once again, the cop denied this chance for my friend to justify his actions. So, bam, $100 down the drain. What was he supposed to do? (I also failed to mention there was no one in the booths either). The cop stupidly replied "Yes, with the economy they cannot hire as many booth attendants." That was his response to what my friend should have done as to not miss his train when the turnstiles were not working. However, if my friend wants to take it to court, he has to go all the way back to New York in hopes that the judge will find pity to exert onto him and free him of the fine. Sometimes I just don't understand, but I guess that life.

Somethings are better left unsaid

   I am the most non-confrontational person in the world. I hate drama and tension and believe that they get people know where. From the years I've lived on this planet, I've learned a lot about people. One important key is that most people are stubborn and close-minded. Once you try to tell someone they are wrong, it's like a trigger is pulled and they instantly put their guard up. I don't like to be wrong, but I might not be right so I listen to others' opinions to see if I missed something. However, if you come at me like an army of words ready to attack and yell, just don't. I will not listen to any word coming out of someone's mouth who is so irrational.

   I wonder if society was always like this. I see my family and when they disagree, they usually talk it out. However, things can get out of control when there is no compromise which is understandable. But, how can people constantly have heated arguments over pretty much nothing? Now, I'm not talking about those who get on each others nerves because they are always around each other, but those who blow up at everything. When my girlfriend and I went on our cruise, the staff would make up our room and make these funny little creatures with towels. I remember she went into the bathroom and I saw the head was technically severed. We left the room and came back later that night. She joked around saying that when I went on the bed earlier that day I must have knocked it off. I said no, it was like that before (still laughing). She instantly got angry and yelled at me for blaming her for it. I said that I deliberately remember seeing it like that before. She yelled even more telling me I was wrong. So, I gave in and said she was probably right. I know that it isn't because we are sick of each other, it's because that's who she is. She has no tact when it comes to certain things and will ruin everyone's mood for dumb things like that. Sometimes, it's things that do not even involve her.

   She has gotten better than before, even if that previous example doesn't seem like it. I've pretty much left her because of her attitude and she's trying to change. Although, I have some other friends that are similar. They seem like happy and normal people, but don't tell them they are wrong unless you like to bicker about really dumb things. Maybe it's just me, but I like to get along with people and avoid senseless fights.