As the dust settles, One Direction’s “What Makes you Beautiful” rings on in my head, and vivid images of the previous night fade to memories, I, and many others, say so long to Prom 2012. A night that remains in our memories forever no doubt-prom is a stereotypical high school phenomenon that replicates the images of slightly awkward dancing and partying found only in movies on the topic. But, ya’ know what? I love it.
Prom was fun and wonderful, but it’s the greater implications of the day after that scare me the most. With months of hype and hours of discussion from shoes and hair to dates and dinner, prom is undoubtedly something that impacts report cards for the worse. These greater implications are that in just four weeks, this fast-based time period, between junior and senior year of high school come to a screeching halt and abruptly ends. It scares the living crap out of me, and for those that it does not, that is simply disturbing.
Whether you are extremely close with the departing grade above you, or you struggle to name them with a yearbook in front of you-there is no questioning the degree of reality that is introduced when you become a senior and your older friends depart your lives, hopefully, oh so hopefully, for just a short time. Prom 2012 is an event that I, and many others of my kind (we shall reference them as upper classmen (and women)) will forever include in their high school memories; unless it goes as far as to define their high school experience, as many Proms, likely, inadvertently do.
I guess I don’t know what the theme of this post is. Essentially I’m trying to convey that Prom went by far too fast. I find myself wishing that it was a Prom convention of sorts, a week long time period of dancing, partying, and enjoying a good time with close friends. Unfortunately, I understand that in order to maintain the special, almost mystical quality that Prom is surrounded by, it cannot be more than that one night. All that I can hope for is to cling to the remaining shreds of my junior year that have come down to these four weeks.
Don’t get me wrong, this moment should not be defined by sadness, but rather by happiness. With the end of my junior year comes the start of my senior year and a whole other set of journeys. But for now, I’m going to enjoy the next four weeks, a lot. Happy Prom everyone.
-joe
Small lines of sweat glimmer in the creases of my palm as I slowly open my fist that formerly clenched my pencil within. I had finished the first test and with it a day of hell had only just begun. You move through the day absent minded between classes—no between tests, only to have four minutes that can be used to refuel your tired head. By the time the next test comes, then the next, and the last- I’m fried and my brain can only take so much, the only saving grace that in 24 hours my mind would be at ease on the plane to Arizona.
Luckily I make it through the day and get to experience the final bell—a sweet salvation that only comes from the prize that is Spring Break.
Arizona flies by, sadly. In fact, I’m writing this post from home- a bittersweet moment. Now I’m left with fond memories and ideas about how I feel regarding spring break. It is a fantastic opportunity to relax and unwind from some of the most stressful weeks of all time. I suppose there are things that could be different, but all in all the trip was awesome. With passover looming all I can pray is that the following carb-less week will make up for the embarrassment that is what I filled my body with over the past six days. But my god-did my taste buds enjoy the break from flavorless lettuce and turkey sandwiches (although not flavorless, in fact quite good, the leave something to be desired).
Back to the point, spring break is needed. When your brain is going a million miles an hour and you can’t think straight at the end of the day, maybe it is time for a break. But I can’t honestly say that I hope for this all the time. What’s the point? Vacation flies so damn fast and I find myself constantly wishing for more. Until I come to the realization that with more would come a loss of merit for hard work and what it means to take vacation. Anyway, that’s all. Compared to my last post, I think this one is a nice improvement. And as much as I love smelling of cab driver feet, I’m going to change and hop into bed, it’s tough being back on central time.
-joe
It’s a matter of trust. I often find myself wondering what it is that prevents people form abusing the carpool lane. Everyday that I pass these prestigious highway entrances I gaze at the sign and watch as no one enters the right side of the entrance. It shocks me and amazes me. It’s a matter of trust.
The principle itself is very interesting-who decided that those who carpool would receive a benefit, however small it may be. I’m fascinated by this. How does society learn to trust people for such a simple thing when day in and day out people continuously prove that they cannot be trusted in government and politics, in life, and in social situations. Lying is so common that perhaps the idea of a sane lane scares me.
I haven’t posted in forever it seems like and I believe that this is quite the weird post on which to return to the habit. It interests me, however, that we instill such trust in people and in driving of all things. A medium, which I find people are most likely to not take the time to be selfless.
Next time you pass a carpool lane, just take a second to realize that no one seems to enter the white diamond adorned lane- is it fear or respect? There will be more later, fear not… this is not the best I have.
-joe
It seems as though it has been forever since I last posted, when it’s really been 26 days.
This post is very likely going to ramble and be about whatever happens to pop into my head as I type.
A lot has been going on lately, you’d be amazed at the amount of activity that occurs in a month. But I am officially half way through my Junior year. Who cares right? Well I don’t, what I care about is the fact that at this time next year, I’ll be halfway through my Senior year in high school. Life can get stressful, my oh my can it get stressful. There are so many things that seem to merely fly by your eyes and you never get a chance to savor each moment.
Which leads me to my first segway, childhood. I find myself, more frequently than ever, thinking about my childhood and what I’ve made of it. I look back towards elementary school and wonder why life can’t be as simple as it was back then? I find that as people we never take the moment to stop and look around as Ferris Bueler may do. Because after all,
“Life isn’t about the number of breathes you take, but rather the moments that take your breath away” -Maya Angelou
So I’ve been working on two things lately, one is the above, working on the ability to notice things, to pay attention to others and pay attention to what is going on around me because not until now, as my childhood wooshes by have I realized what I may have missed. It’s not that I’ve become forgetful, or that my childhood hasn’t been amazing, because it has. It’s that these are things that I feel can really make my life better because it has been said that, “When you look back on your life, you will regret the things you never did more than the things you did”
This is an excellent transition into my next goal, to take more risks, and subsequently not be afraid to fail. Because I will, a lot. I want to start taking risks, this doesn’t mean become stupid and do stupid things, such as drugs and alcohol, but rather analyze situations and as myself what is the right thing to be doing right now, or if not that, which will be the most fun. Who knows, I might fail with these ventures, but that’s the point.
-joe
1. Lose Weight.
2. Stop Swearing.
3. Be Nicer.
4. Hug more.
5. Smile more.
6. Stop procrastinating (I’ll do that one next year).
7. Mediate the crap out of fights.
8. Make Friends.
9. Keep Friends.
10. Have an amazing year.
Perhaps it’s a bit late, but here is my Christmas Blog. You may notice, that the word Christmas is backward in the title of this blog. That is because I believe Christmas and really all winter holidays are so backwards now that they are practically unrecognizable.
Most often in movies about Christmas, the movie itself is about figuring out a way to be together, or the meal, or the lights, or the town, or Santa Clause himself. But rarely is the direct purpose about presents. How unrealistic!
While going into target on Christmas Eve day, for some last minute present shopping (yes, I too am guilty) I saw something that prompted me to write this blog the way I am. I saw a woman, likely mid-fifties rushing in with two shopping carts. My first thought was, naturally, this woman had forgotten to get presents, or had not had time and was stressing about this. I was wrong. What she did do instead, was rush to the grocery section and start filling the carts.
That was awesome.
So, no, maybe the true spirit isn’t stuffing our faces so full that we vomit and wake up the next morning ready to dive into presents. But it is certainly closer than what it has become. Christmas has become completely materialistic. This is why I love Thanksgiving, it has all the warmth of Christmas without any of the BS excitement brought on by receiving some gift. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy receiving gifts, and I am very grateful for those which I received, but I think we have lost the true holiday spirit.
Maybe I’m a poor judge, after all, Santa isn’t supposed to bring me presents. I’m going to go spin a dreidel.
-joe
How great is music?
It can make us laugh, make us cry, make us smile, frown, happy, and sad. It makes you feel pain and joy in ways that can never be felt except for when the artist vocalizes the exact thoughts and feelings running through your head. And we’ve all had this experience. Say for example something awful occurred when you were listening to a particular song—this song is now unbearable. Or perhaps a song explains the exact feelings you have about a situation. Nothing is more reassuring when you realize that someone else has felt the same way.
But more important is the opposite, when you feel on top of the world and nothing can bring you down and it seems like every song that is played just reinforces this feeling and makes you think that not only will everything be okay, everything will be great!
This, among other reasons, is why I love music, perhaps I am a bit, no WAY to cliche and cinematic about these posts, but think about it. Next time a song comes on that makes you smile, or makes you think of some sad event, realize the true weight that this song carries with you because either way it is important to you, so who cares if it’s any good?
-joe
It has been quite a while since I have blogged and the last time I did I began to follow a list that explains some things that can make you a better person, more or less.
This is surprisingly difficult, avoiding sarcastic remarks and whistling for example are far harder to constantly do than one may think. But this lead me to make this post.
If you’ve ever seen an ad for Lexus you know that their slogan is the pursuit of perfection. Now, this seems ridiculous because as everyone knows… no one is/can be perfect. Perhaps that is a false statement though.
Starting tomorrow I am going to attempt the impossible, I am going to try to become perfect. In my mind this consists of three things, Physical ability, Mental ability, and Social ability. I will fail. I will without a doubt in my mind completely and 100% fail. (Makes you feel good doesn’t it?) That’s not even being realistic what I just said right there, I’m not going to fail because I know I can’t be perfect, which I do, I am going to fail because that’s what’s supposed to happen. No matter how many pump-up songs I play, or how many time I sit don’t ponder life, I can never be perfect. But if you learn nothing else from this post learn this. You’re only brave enough to pursue perfection if you’re brave enough to fail.
Failing is frowned upon. Why? It sounds cliche, but can you imagine if Thomas Edison had given up after merely a few tries, better yet one try? Or what if Harriet Tubman only pulled herself from slavery? The world would be different, but quite the contrary, the world IS different, because they didn’t give up. My favorite quote of all time, which those close to me can hear me saying every few days, “The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do”-Steve Jobs.
It is such a great quote, it inspires even the most remedial of tasks because they will advance you to the person you will become. Maybe I’m trying to be more philosophical than I should be, but tomorrow I am going start something that I will fail. And boy am I excited.
-joe
Tomorrow I will begin what I am going to call the nice project. I like to think of myself as a generally nice guy, however, I fear that my sarcasm is transferred from all around laughter to insulting certain people and I feel down right bad about that. So here is the deal, I am now going to follow the following 50 rules (which I stumbledupon): (PS… don’t read them all)(The bolded ones are one I plan to focus on more) Scroll to bottom to see continued post…
Life’s Instructions
- Have a firm handshake.
- Look people in the eye.
- Sing in the shower.
- Own a great stereo system.
- If in a fight, hit first and hit hard.
- Keep secrets.
- Never give up on anybody. Miracles happen everyday.
- Always accept an outstretched hand.
- Be brave. Even if you’re not, pretend to be. No one can tell the difference.
- Whistle.
- Avoid sarcastic remarks.
- Choose your life’s mate carefully. From this one decision will come 90 per cent of all your happiness or misery.
- Make it a habit to do nice things for people who will never find out.
- Lend only those books you never care to see again.
- Never deprive someone of hope; it might be all that they have.
- When playing games with ! children, let them win.
- Give people a second chance, but not a third.
- Be romantic.
- Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know.
- Loosen up. Relax. Except for rare life-and-death matters, nothing is as important as it first seems.
- Don’t allow the phone to interrupt important moments. It’s there for our convenience, not the caller’s.
- Be a good loser.
- Be a good winner.
- Think twice before burdening a friend with a secret.
- When someone hugs you, let them be the first to let go.
- Be modest. A lot was accomplished before you were born.
- Keep it simple.
- Beware of the person who has nothing to lose.
- Don’t burn bridges. You’ll be surprised how many times you have to cross the same river.
- Live your life so that your epitaph could read, No Regrets
- Be bold and courageous. When you look back on life, you’ll regret the things you didn’t do more than the one’s you did.
- Never waste an opportunity to tell someone you love them.
- Remember no one makes it alone. Have a grateful heart and be quick to acknowledge those who helped you.
- Take charge of your attitude. Don’t let someone else choose it for you.
- Visit friends and relatives when they are in hospital; you need only stay a few minutes.
- Begin each day with some of your favorite music.
- Once in a while, take the scenic route.
- Send a lot of Valentine cards. Sign them, ‘Someone who thinks you’re terrific.’
- Answer the phone with enthusiasm and energy in your voice.
- Keep a note pad and pencil on your bed-side table. Million-dollar ideas sometimes strike at 3 a.m.
- Show respect for everyone who works for a living, regardless of how trivial their job.
- Send your loved ones flowers. Think of a reason later.
- Make someone’s day by paying the toll for the person in the car behind you.
- Become someone’s hero.
- Marry only for love.
- Count your blessings.
- Compliment the meal when you’re a guest in someone’s home.
- Wave at the children on a school bus.
- Remember that 80 percent of the success in any job is based on your ability to deal with people.
- Don’t expect life to be fair.
Wow. I kind of bolded the bajesus out of that didn’t I? I guess that’s why the list is there.
In my quest to become a better person, and my odd newly developed love of philosophy, I have discovered that the most important thing you can do with your life is care for others. So here I am, I’m going to do it.
Here goes nothing.
-joe
So, I’ve never told anyone this, but I suppose now I’m telling everyone. Every time I check a new voicemail the woman with the soothing voice over the phone exclaims, “you have… one new message and… two saved messages” sometimes I have more saved messages, but I always have two. Why? Here’s why.
Ever since I got my first phone I have saved one message from each of my parents on it, generally it’s something simple, along the lines of be home soon, call me when you get home, etc. The idea, however, is a safety blanket, something that I know will be there, I intend to do this during college, med school, and in my life always.
The stereotypical relationship between a child and their parents as seen on television is BS. Yes the ridicule you, yes they make you do work, yes they show favoritism sometimes. BUT, they also make you dinner, make you breakfast, make you lunch, do your laundry, drive you to school, practices, and rehearsals, they make your bed, they tuck you in, they kiss you goodnight, goodbye and everything in between, they provide for you in every way possible to name few things they do for you. And I know, that some of this stuff is childish, and some of the very same things are the things we kids love the most. I may speak for myself here, but I don’t think so. If you’ve ever been a kid you probably know what I mean, and please forgive me because for those of you that do not know the feeling, I apologize and this is in no way meant to insult or harm your feelings.
Anyway, speaking of which, here one of them comes now, I’ll let her read it later. You too dad.
I hope I don’t sound too outrageously sentimental, but it’s important. Don’t take it for granted.
-love joe
