Because You Need to Know

What's up with nicknames? Why does everyone make up different names for me? Is my given name not good enough? Nicknames are kind of pet names, right? I think they should be reserved for only the very closest of friends, and even then used quite sparingly. Pet names shouldn't be replacing my real first name. If I didn't like my first name, I might encourage the instatement of a nickname for myself to be used at all times, or I would go change my name officially to something I liked better.

I like my name just the way it is. I like my first name and I just want to be called by my first name. If you have been calling me by a nickname and I seem to be okay with it, be warned. I'm really not. I may have just smiled and went along with it for some unknown reason or another. Probably because I am non-confrontational at times. Just a heads up, I really enjoy called Heather. Plain and simple. Nothing more, nothing less. I can live with a few plays off my last name though. I just dont want every person that happens to meet me casually while I'm under my pseudo name "h.b." to call me that as well. People I've met like 3 times have started to call me h.b. and I really hate it. Show some respect, you don't know me well enought to call me by that name. Just call me by my real name. Heather. Honestly, I'm not 5, I'm easy to please and best of all, it's not that hard either.

Mini Spotted Dick

So it's been pretty much forever since I've had the time to blog. It's been months. You would think that something of interest would have happend by now for me to talk about. Nope. I just got back from spring break. I went home for a week and it was pretty exciting. My family was pretty much never home, so I had to find ways of entertaining myself. I was having internet withdrawls, and I finally found free wireless. I read books, did my taxes, fafsa, cooked random food, finally picked out my classes for spring quarter... a little late I know. Nothing too exciting as far as classes go... just Astronomy, pre-calc, ministry of Jesus, and D.I. 3. Good news! I no longer have classes during lunch! I can actually have lunch with my friends w/o feeling guilty for skipping yet another class! That will be great. I also get to sleep in past 9 a.m. ! I'm excited to be back and can't wait to go to class!

Side note: In the movie Bridget Jones's Diary (one of my fav's) Her mom is really into doing what she calls gourmet meals. For her, this means everything in miniature). Bridge's mom askes if anyone someone would like a mini gurkin, and they reply, "no, the mini spotted dick put me over the edge." I always thought that part was funny, but I never knew what spotted dick was. I was shopping in World Market over break with friends, and I found a can labeled "spotted dick in a can." I thought it was hilarious. I forgot my wallet and went back to buy it later, but it was gone.

Spotted Dick is a steamed pudding, containing dried fruit, usually currants. The dessert is especially popular in the United Kingdom, usually served either with custard or with butter and brown sugar. Spotted refers to the currants (which resemble spots) and dick may be a corruption of the word dough. It is also known as Spotted Dog, Plum Bolster and Spotted Richard. (who knew?!)

ok, not that funny.

Different Worlds

Each of us have a world that we live in. I'm not talking about a physical world, like the Earth, but a figurative one. Social worlds, for example. For most of us, one social world is not enough (usually if you are somewhat sanguine like me). Thus, we end up with many good friends, scattered throughout a wide variety of social circles. The trouble lies when your worlds collide.

How do some people have so many friends, and mix them up so effortlessly? I, for one, have friends from all walks of life. I wouldn't even begin to know how to mix all of them. I'd really like to combine my so-called worlds, I just don't know where to start.

Social dynamics. I need to take a course in it.

Like an Animal

why can't people be like animals? It would be bad if they were like sloths. too lazy. bad if they were like tigers/lions/bears... too dangerous. If they were indeed animals, they'd still have all their downfalls, along with their good qualities.

One would at least be able to read them easier.

Acquaintances

Here you thought there'd be this amazing blog... and I'm just going to merely suggest that myspace should give you the choice whether to add someone as a friend or an acquaintance. That way it would be more honest. It would be fun. You could upgrade people from acquaintances to friends and it would be awesome. Maybe they should go as far as adding a category for x-friends... no wait, that's as simple as 'editing' your friends list and hitting remove selected. :)

Just a thought. Oh, Happy Valentines Day btw. Just to let the 'long line of attractive men that are waiting to ask me out on hot dates' know.... I have plans... I'll be slaving fiendishly on the Collegian.

a disclaimer

I'd like to point out that some of the prisoners have been convicted. Most are only held on suspicion of terrorist acts. Only a handful are actually active terrorists. As far as torture goes, there are suspicions that water-boarding is taking place at Guantanamo. If such techniques are used, they are most likely used only on the convicted terrorists to extract much needed information. Whether or not it is right is still up for debate.

Waterboarding consists of immobilizing an individual and pouring water over his face to simulate drowning, which produces a severe gag reflex, making the subject believe his death is imminent while ideally not causing permanent physical damage. According to Republican United States Senator John McCain, who was tortured as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam, waterboarding is "very exquisite torture" and a mock execution, which can damage the subject's psyche "in ways that may never heal." [taken from Wikipedia]

The use of this is stricktly forbidden by the U.S. millitary, but that does not apply to the C.I.A.

I'd also like to point out that all of this is ALLEGED information, supposed to be true, but not proven as fact. The only way one can see a clearer picture of what is going on is to read from many sources, on either side. Don't just take my word for any of this. If it provokes you to read more on your own and become more aware of the world around you, that is my intention.

One more question....why the HELL are we still in Cuba? The U.S. views Guantanamo Bay as a sort of lease, while the rest of the world sees it as if the U.S. occupation of Cuba never ended. Just another reason to close down Guantanamo Bay.

a.m. musings on responsibility

Early morning musings on responsibility, choice, and freedom while bidding on a particular ebay listing...

Responsible. Either you are, or you aren't. Does one become known as responsible when they take on many responsibilities? Or does one achieve the title of Responsible upon the completion of those responsibilities taken on?

People in general try to be responsible. As children, we have few responsibilities. Cleaning rooms, taking baths, brushing teeth and washing hands...the list of childhood responsibilities seems endless at the time. We have all looked up toward adulthood with wide eyes, waiting for the day when we will get to drive the car, or get the big job, or more importantly, get to do whatever we want. The freedoms of life are what we seek. The ability to make choices that form our lives, day-to-day into what we want in the long run, our goals, hopes and dreams.

I have come to one conclusion about responsibility and freedom. Freedoms that are sought can only be achieved upon the taking on of great responsibilities. It is a delicate balancing act we perform between our choices, responsibilities, and in turn, our freedoms in life. Just something to think about.

Happy New Year everyone!