A Call To Action

For those of you who did not catch Obama's speech last night, take about five minutes to view this section on education. Do you feel that every American should strive for a college education?

What Makes You Happy?

Every morning as I drive to work I listen to NPR (National Public Radio). Story after story was about all of the things that make us weary of life - recession, war, foreclosures, climate change. I was waiting for something positive but it never came. So, I decided to create my own positivity...

I started thinking about last night. Monday's are always soccer night. I drive out with my husband and brother and watch them run around the field for a bit. I am the lone cheerleader/soccer mom for the team of adult men and women and I love being out there. I find the night air to be refreshing and relaxing. Yes, I do pay attention to the game, but really, the best part, is just being outside.

Then I started thinking about my upcoming weekend. An old friend from school is coming in to town this weekend. Although I could do without visitors staying at my home, it is nice to know that we can get together with old friends and enjoy each other's company. Our "crew" from college are all over the world, but we always seem to find each other and take a couple of days a year to catch up.

And finally I thought about - and don't laugh - hot chocolate. In the mornings I either have a cup of tea or hot chocolate. I limit myself to one hot chocolate per week so whatever day I choose to enjoy a cup of hot chocolate, is a good day, no matter what. I was contemplating using my hot chocolate day early this week, to combat the overt negativity of the news. Chocolate always has this kind of positive effect. Why not infuse my morning with a jolt of chocolate goodness?

I never did have that hot chocolate this morning. I guess that my positive thoughts were enough to get me through the day.

Corporatized

My hubby and I often find ourselves engaging in heated discussions about random topics. We are both highly opinionated individuals so sometimes these discussions do not end well, mainly because one of us (usually me) takes something personal and leaves the discussion angry.

But, last night, on our way home from a concert, we had a discussion about something that we actually agree upon. While discussing the show I mentioned that the older songs from the artist were much better, more "pure" in nature, and not over produced. The songs did not have a bunch of unnecessary instruments crowding the message or hooky choruses that can be easily remembered. They were, for lack of a better word, clean. There was none of the extra "stuff" that costs a pretty penny to insert into an album. On the other hand, the new music, created after popularity ensued, seemed mindless, "poppy," and definitely over-produced. Quality lyrics were replaced with hooky choruses, and background singers drowned out the gritty (and pleasant) voice of the lead.

Hubby says the music has become "corporatized" (a word he made up) - and I felt that this was an excellent way to explain the phenomenon.

So, I started thinking. Which of my favorite artists have fallen prey to making money over making quality music. Here are some of the ones that I decided upon:

Jack Johnson
Ray LaMontagne
System of a Down
Metallica
Aerosmith
Citizen Cope

And the sad thing is that I can go on and on.

Are the artists that we hail - in all art forms - letting us down?

The Great Disease

It has officially begun. I know every year that it is coming but still, the very thought, makes me cringe. You all know what I am talking about because you all have felt it. It begins when you forget a simple homework assignment and (gasp) it doesn't bother you a bit. You know the symptoms are progressing when you sit through the day in a complete daze and have no idea what you did or, even worse, what you were supposed to learn. The illness takes full effect when the alarm goes off but you don't get out of bed.

You all know what I am talking about...Schoolitis.

Yes, I have my own name for this sickness - Schoolitis. It is no longer Senioritis because the effects have spread to the younger grades at an alarming rate, prompting the creation of a new name. The disease seems to begin earlier and earlier every year. Students everywhere are confusing their job of getting an education with the task of catching up on daytime television. I am worried.

So, brave readers, don't fall prey to the effects of Schoolitis. Fight it with all of your might! Get to school on time. Do all of your homework. Study for your tests and quizzes. You will be rewarded for your perseverance during these "toughest" of times...

Think Green

I often see a collection of smirks when I comment in class about how I am trying to save the Earth, one piece of paper at a time. I can't figure out if this is because my students just don't care about saving the planet or if they think I am totally nuts (which may, in fact, be true). Regardless of the reason, it bothers me. What is wrong with wanting to improve the environment?

Many people believe that wanting to save the Earth has a direct correlation with the belief in global warming. This is not true. You can still want to improve the quality of the air you breathe without buying in to the science of climate change. You can still recycle your electronics because you don't want a poverty stricken four year old to die while salvaging toxic parts from your outdated computer. And, you can still want to preserve some natural habitat for those animals whose lives are being destroyed by your glut and greed.

It does not take much effort begin to treat Earth, your home, with a little more respect. There are garbage bins everywhere, stop throwing garbage on the ground. Most cities offer recycling services that will pick up your recyclables from your home - all you have to do is place objects in a bin - do so. Plug your electronics in to a power strip and turn off the power strip when the electronics are not in use. Get some plants for your room and your home - they improve the very air you breathe. Buy used objects whenever you can. Thrift stores have great stuff that is half the price and often, just as nice as new objects. And, most importantly, be consistent with your "green" practices. People will learn to follow your positive behaviors.

If you would like to learn more about green practices that you can incorporate in your everyday life, visit Treehugger.

I love taking pictures. I am not the "carry my camera around at all times" kind of crazy photographer but while on vacations or during special events, taking pictures is important to me.

Pictures help me remember. It is not that I cannot remember events and places without pictures, but sometimes the details elude me. Or perhaps, sometimes the details become muddled and pictures help those details become a bit more clear.

Every once in a while I sit down and take a look at my scrapbooks and reflect on times past. These are always pleasant times even if the picture is not of a pleasant experience. For example, recently I was flipping through some pictures of the destruction after hurricane Wilma - an unpleasant event. As I went through the pictures I remembered what we endured and somehow, now, looking back at the experience, I realize it was not bad at all. What was once an unpleasant event has become just something that happens during the course of my life.

So, if you choose to comment on this post, I ask that you share a picture that you look back on and learn from. Explain the picture and what you learned. Share how an image can change your perspective on life.