'Tis the Season

'Tis the season for ice climbing and hanging out with the family. And shopping I guess, I sure do seem to be doing that a lot lately. That and my computer is glitching, is that the computer or the blog's autosave? We'll say it's the autosave. I was thinking about writing a narrative of the ice climbing trip but I'm not really in the mood right now. Suffice it to say that it was a blast as usual and that the mountains are unreal gorgeous in the sunrise. This morning Santa came and gave us presents that were random items from the house that were all wrapped up. I got a pillow from our upstairs couch, my sister got a cup o' noodles, my dad got a cassette tape with the top gun soundtrack on it, my brother got a candle and my mother received a portrait that she had painted of my sister. Good times! I love Santa Claus. Why does Santa have both the name St. Nick and Kris Kringle? Both of those sound like first names. We had a Christmas that was busy of the things Christmas was meant to be busy with: Beatles Rock Band, Board Games, Card Games, Presents, Reading the biblical versions (or just the one in Luke) of the birth of Jesus. I got some super-sweet books, a Frisbee, some swords, an iTunes card, and my dad pulled out the guitar that I received on one of my first Christmas'. I have been carrying the guitar around all day playing it, even though we can't get it to tune right (and I don't know how to play the guitar). I bet that is pretty similar to the first time I received it for Christmas. We also watched a movie called "Freedom Writers" which was a lovely story about a teacher who inspired inner-city kids to live happy lives and expand themselves beyond the ghetto. I loved the movie except it ended happily ever after. Movies like that don't usually end well. Thanks everyone for Christmas whether or not you gave me presents! I probably should have said something about the true meaning of Christmas in this blog. Remember to not be scrooges, to love your families, there is more to life than gang violence, that the Saviour of mankind was born and that the British spellings of words are better than the American; that is the true meaning of Christmas.

Thanksgiving

I'm thankful to have this time of year. I need a day set apart to think about the people important to me and the things for which I am grateful. Thanksgiving gives me that time of reflection for introspection and to see if I need to shift focus. I don't consider myself to be a very thankful person, sometimes it is just hard to feel gratitude. Part of my problem is that I am fairly anti-materialistic so the things I have aren't too important to me. Really what I am thankful for this year, even though it is difficult for me to express, are the people in my life. In the next week or so [because I missed some (a lot) of people today] I am going to make a greater effort to express my thanks to those around me. I lose track of and don't keep in touch with a lot of people that I consider to be my friends. I'm sorry about that, it's really something I need to work on. Maybe I'll use this time to get back in touch. Thanks for being there for me, I hope I can repay you in kind (that's right, get ready for goods, commodities or services rather than money. You should expect a cow.). Also, I hope your thanksgiving has been a wonderful one. Thank you.

Bridges

Yesterday I walked to school and crossed a bridge and while I thinking back in fond memories of that moment I passed a bridge that goes into the second floor of the administration building SUU. That was in fact two occurrences with a bridge in one day. The word Bridge has 26 definitions. As you know it can be used as both a noun and a verb. Many people use the verb version as a way to describe a joining of two sides or a way to span a chasm. With people in our lives we may say that we are building bridges to connect with them. The question I have in mind is if we are bridging a divide what is the perspective of the person in the canyon? If the span seems less far from the top after a bridge is erected does the person under it feel like both sides are closing in? The obvious answer, and the one I will agree with, is no. Isn't it weird that the possibilities that are granted for the person at the top mean nothing for the person under the bridge? What I love about bridges is the security they provide to me, I feel safe under them. On top of the bridge I feel like any range of possibilities could bring me crashing down to the earth but under the bridge I feel like I am protected from the weather or any other object falling from the sky. A bridge is a lot like a roof except roofs usually have walls on each of their sides. Under a roof I feel trapped because to get out I usually have to exit through a door, window or some other opening. Bridges usually have only two sides blocked which leaves just as many sides open (we are going to operate in the typical four side situation). I feel like if I need to get out from under the bridge it would be much easier than if I were inside a building but I still have the additional benefit of having protection from above. That and being under a bridge is much breezier than inside of a house. Isn't it odd that the possibilities that a bridge grants to the person under it aren't even considered by the people going over it? I sure like being under bridges, maybe I should become a troll.

Lucky Laundry

Today was a lucky laundry day. It was particularly lucky because a good person encountered my clothes in the dryer and decided to fold them up and put them in my basket. In fact, he or she did a better job than I would have. Of course my part in the story is that I rudely left my laundry in the dryer for a good 3 or 4 hours more than necessary. I am thankful for the good people that I live by for not stealing my clothes, dumping them on the floor, throwing them outside or doing any of the nasty things that would be expected in this day and age.

Though the laundry story had the most impact on my view of my neighbors today it isn't the only nice thing that they did for me. Last night Alex and I ate dinner and stayed up talking and listening to music pretty late into the night. I almost never hear my neighbor make even the slightest sound so I usually don't worry about him hearing me. I guess I should change that policy because near the end of our evening we started hearing some knocking on the wall every time I would say something (I guess I talk loud). We decided that we were keeping my neighbor up so we turned the music off and finished our conversation in whispers. This morning (it was about noon but for some of us it was still morning) my neighbor came over to give me a note, which I never received because I answered the door and we just spoke face to face. What he said to me was that he was sorry that he was knocking on the wall but it is just a reflex when something wakes him up. He pretty much apologized to me and any time I told him that I was sorry and will try not to do it again he just would become more conciliatory. I really like my neighbor, he seems like a good fellow. I am really glad to have finally met him and that he is such a nice man. I am grateful for the awesome people in my apartment complex and hope that they are having a great night tonight.

I find it odd that sometimes I don't come out as a very likable character in my stories, especially next to the other people. It's kind of like the T.V. show "The Wonder Years" where Kevin (the protagonist) is sometimes a jerk but you like him anyway. What I love about that show is that everyone is that way in real life, we are all jerks sometimes but we just press forward, learn and try better next time. Just like Kevin, I am a flawed hero in the epic which is my life.

Music

I love music which may surprise people because I spent a large portion of my childhood abhorring it. I really didn't like how it could change my feelings and emotions. Now I enjoy how it can augment my feelings and inspire me if I control the music I decide to listen to. I saw a PBS broadcast a while back that said that not only listening to good music (typically classical) is good for the brain but that interacting with it, especially by playing the instrument, "lights up" your brain more than any other activity. I have wanted to get back into playing an instrument for quite some time now but I think I have found the motivation to do so. There is a certain youtube channel that not only has amazing music but the videos are stimulating and the musicians seem to be having the time of their lives. I suggest that you look at more of those videos than just the one that I put a link to. There seems to be magic in the process of creation. I want that in my life. I want to make music. It's time that I sacrifice a little to do so. Maybe this will be my opportunity to help myself live earnestly. Wish me luck!

Who am I?

So, I am in waste time mode because I am tired. Now I have this hooked up to my facebook so if you are reading this from that website then it won't make sense and you need to visit my blog at www.alexintrospections.blogspot.com. Really I just wanted to post something because it has been months. I can't let October sneak up on me without posting a blog. SO, after that long intro this is my point: I will bake cookies for the first person that can guess who is represented as my profile picture (yet again, on facebook that doesn't count because it is a picture of me). Hint: I am related to him. Good Luck!

Independence Day

July 4th 1776 really was not the USA's first day of being Independent or as some would classify it "America's birthday." The United States of America was not officially Independent until September 3rd 1783, with a lot of steps that led up to that point. I believe we celebrate our Independence on the 4th because it was our first major step into becoming an independent and free nation. Really this was the day that a handful of aristocratic intellectuals decided to come down from their positions of prestige and power and plunge into the unknown world of rebellion and treason. They decided to put their lives on the line for philosophical beliefs. This was the moment that they decided that their ideas were too great to remain in their minds but it was time to bring them into being. These men sacrificed their security for their values. This is why on this day we do not celebrate the fact that we are not British; we celebrate the sacrifice of those before us who decided that they would rather be tortured and die than be under unlawful subjugation. This is the day that we should all ask ourselves, "Am I willing to sacrifice everything for what is true and what is right?" "Am I willing to do everything necessary for the betterment of society as a whole rather than sit upon my throne of meaningless monetary accumulation?" This is why we celebrate those who fight for our country on the fourth of July. But these men and women have not fought for our independence and freedom in many years, they are now fighting for the liberty and future sovereignty of the oppressed and enslaved of other nations. On this day it is not our only obligation to be grateful to those who have provided us our liberties and independence but we should turn to those who are currently fighting for their own.

Even though there are many people in this world giving their lives for the freedom of their friends and family there is one country in particular I want to draw attention to. The current political situation in Iran is not much different than ours in 1776. In fact the biggest difference is the fact that their need for freedom and a voice is greater than ours was. It is undeniable that their recent election was fraudulent and that their government no longer listens to the voice of the people. There have been people who have already given their lives for the hope of future independence from tyranny. People are being shot in the streets, terrorized in their homes and abducted by night. The ability for the citizens to communicate with each other and the world is being systematically shut down. Though the protests are slowing down there are still cries from the rooftops, "Allāhu Akbar." This is their pivotal moment in history when they can secure their independence. This is their time to sacrifice everything for the betterment of society and to have a voice in their country. This is when they must choose to die for their future liberties and freedom. Let us not be selfish in our thoughts of independence but use this day to celebrate the lives of all of those people throughout the world who are giving their lives for freedom. I hope that we can share our thoughts and prayers with those who are now fighting the same battle for their people that our forefathers began for ours on July 4th 1776.