Hope It Don't Fall in the Sea...It Ain't Like Anywhere Else
I arrived back in Madison the other day after a splendid spring break in California. The journey much like the eclectic blend that she, herself is, a perfected balance.
The first few days I spent at my sister's house in Sebastopol, about an hour north of San Francisco. Her house is like something straight out of a Norah Jones song: crooked, gravel driveway making its way up to the top of a hill, orchard on oneside, vineyard on the other, until it reaches a quaint little house with a tin roofed carport, majestic redwood tree in the front yard. She lives ten miles from the coast, so I'd walk down nearly everyday and climb down the cliffs to the beaches, or remain pearched atop, enjoying the heavy air of the sea and the hypnotizing lull of sea caps crashing against the rocks.
The latter part saw me wandering the streets of old San Francisco, following the crazy footsteps of the gone beatnik cats. Swinging in and out of dusty, little bookstores; cluttered record shops; sleepy, evening cafes. The sunset brought streets painted with colors and crowds, live jazz poured thick from open back alley doors like fog through a valley, and the wine flowed freely.
A little landscape, a little city-scape...
---"The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to talk, mad to live, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding..."---
The Sound of Silence
I realized something obvious today, silence can be awkward othertimes it is not. I've known for a while now that silence can be more meaningful than anything words can express, but today I realized that you are really only comfortable in silence with your close friends. Put yourself in a similar situation with a different person and things are awkward, but with a close friend turn the radio up, smile, and enjoy the miles rolling past.
Paint It Black
I think I witnessed the gathering of the biggest group of rude, inconsiderate individuals I have seen in quite sometime while at work today. I work at the state capitol, where a three-day hunger strike by some students to oppose tuition hikes is currently going on. The College Republicans (a student organization) apparently felt that these were some crazy liberals that needed to be put in their place. So today, the final day of the hunger strike, they marched into the capitol armed with Taco Bell, McDonald's, and Subway stood in front of those participating in the hunger strike and made sure to let them know how much they were enjoying their food, not to mention the delicious smells. This was encouraged by the president of the College Republicans and thought of as a great idea by most of the members I had talked to about it.
I was enraged when I witnessed this act. There was no constructive goal attached with these actions. The only point was to harass people. I saw an email from the CR president that said "let's taunt some hungry liberals". I agree that a hunger strike may not be the most effective means to bring about change in something like tuition hikes, but at least those people are doing something constructive representing their ideas, not just antagonizing someone for the sake of making people feel bad. If the College Republicans disagree with those holding the hunger strike, then order a constructive response.
Which brings me to yet another absurd part of this event. Tuition hikes aren't even a partisan issue! Governor Doyle, a Democrat, is proposing the increases in tuition, it's not as if the people doing the hunger strike were condemning Republicans. So for the CR pres to say "let's taunt some hungry liberals" is just ignorant.
Finally, even though I have largely liberal ideals, my thoughts have nothing to do with Democrats vs. Republicans. I'd call out anyone who performed actions like these. If Russ Feingold or Senator Baxter had done this I'd call them incosiderate too.
I think the overall issue, is respect. Even if you don't agree with someone's ideas at least be willing to let them present their thoughts without interference and hear them out. You might even learn something.
And It Looks Like the Old Man Is Getting On
And here's what you've won...
A self-paid trip to bodacious Kenya from September 2005 to June 2006. Such activities include studying in Nairobi, internship, and self-designed research project! A conquering of Kilimanjaro is a must.
It's official kids
Game on!
Oh Very Young, What Will You Leave Us this Time
Today as I was walking home I came upon a child exiting a store. It was snowing outside and he began to try to catch flakes on his tongue. I took this as a challenge and say to him, "I bet I can catch more!" So right there on State Street, this 10 year old kid and I start running around and jumping in a fierce competition to catch the most flakes. After a while, we laughed, I gave him a high five, and I continued on my way (I'm sure I won). It reminded me though that I haven't been as spontaneous and "crazy" as I normally am. I think it has something to do with my schedule, but whatever the reason, I'm going to get back into that step again.
