On Missing Bush Sunday, Mar 1 2009 

politics , , , , , , oneita 9:38 pm

Is it wrong of me to admit that I miss Bush? It’s certainly blasphemy for one such as myself, a die-hard liberal through and through, to admit that the man who wreaked havoc on America left a great void that can never be filled. No longer can I turn to the White House with eager eyes, ready for the first slew of embarrassments and hilarity, ready for the first ridiculous policies I could artfully skewer with biting phrase and sarcastic amusement. For days, in fact, I have been trying vainly to think of something political to make fun of. Yet, there is nothing. Palin has silently glided off the radar, though I’m sure she is always there… lurking. McCain is back to participating in his duties with vigor, and an utter lack of excitement. Bush seems to have gone happily back to his ranch-ownin’ ways, and my life is empty. I know that it is possible to make fun of Obama, but I just can’t find it in myself to do so yet. It is easy to satirize those you despise, but hard, very hard indeed, to do so to those you admire. I know that Obama has already made mistakes. I know that not all humans are perfect. But I simply can’t write anything biting about him or his administration. I think that the relief is still too great. The over-whelming relief that this torture, this body of lies, this corrupt administration (yes, I know all political administrations are corrupt, but I wouldn’t trust a Republican one before a Democratic) are finally GONE, that it seems blasphemy to write on the savior. Yes, I know I previously said I missed Bush. Yet, I think it is more the wistful longing you have for say, a broken arm that had become a part of you. It was painful, torturous, annoying, and generally a nuisance, but it was a part of you. And, however much we all despised him (which most of us did by the end) Bush is an American and a lovable man in his own goofy, bungling way. He was a part of us. Yes, it was a terrible part that we’d all rather forget, but that doesn’t change the fact that he was eight years of our lives (oh gosh! How long we suffered). Maybe, just maybe, Palin will serenely sweep onto the scene again, her happy bizarreness a new target for the “liberal media.” Then will the arm be broken once more, the groans will rise, and the void will be filled.

It is horrifying, but also strangely peaceful to think of- there is always another Bush to fill the void. Stupidity will always be present, and those ready to satirize it willing and waiting…

 

Education in General Friday, Feb 20 2009 

education oneita 2:28 am

Last year, when the budget was first sliced, teachers were the first victims, and many young teachers were rather unceremoniously given pink slips and, consequently, the boot. I truly do not understand why this is so, why teachers fresh out of school, with a vivacity for teaching, are the first to be thrown out, but as I am young, my opinion little matters. However, I would submit that this current policy is faulty and far too simple; in fact it is, quite honestly, the easiest way out.

Instead of attacking education, the general management of the schools must be analyzed. For instance, I have seen countless incidences of lights left on in classrooms, teachers that keep on the air conditioning despite balmy temperatures outside, computers left carelessly on, etc. The electricity bills of schools, if so many electrical entities are kept on, must be staggering. Simply by conserving electricity (through the turning off of computers, air conditioners, etc.) schools can save hundreds of thousands of dollars, which is surely enough to save at least one teacher, thereby still keeping class sizes somewhat manageable.

However, it is true that even if such environmentally/fiscally friendly policies were instituted, the schools would still be quite deficient in terms of their budgets. I am not blind to the hardships this country is going through, from an overwhelming debt to an utterly penniless state, but I do believe that not nearly enough emphasis or funding is placed on education, regardless of the times. Republicans particularly believe that the education budget should be the first to be slashed, as Schwarzenegger has so bluntly showed. In fact, education was cut in half in terms of budget, whilst the transportation budget was given allowances to build dozens of new highways, which is utterly thoughtless and foolish. Considering the environmental problems, as well as the rising costs of gas, new highways should not be built. If anything, more trains and subways should be put into use. Yet, the real issue is that highways were given more funding, while public education languishes. It is hardly surprising, therefore, that Europeans and Americans alike bemoan the stupidity of Americans and their inordinate love for their cars.

Yes, I am fully aware of the argument Republicans make; namely, that there are plenty of private schools for children to go to, and that education in general should be privatized. Now, there are so many issues here that I don’t know where to start. For one, many people, especially in these trying times, do not have the resources to send their child to an expensive school that studies have proven gives much the same education as a public school. For another, education should be encouraged by any society that wishes to both thrive and flourish. Every great civilization, most famously the Greeks, but also every other following or preceding them, has encouraged education to some extent. Now, it is true that many rulers in the past have discouraged education because they believed an uneducated populace to be much easier to control (an ideal that is undoubtedly, if somewhat frighteningly, true; and appears to be the current ideal of Schwarzenegger), but the populace then becomes weak, and society suffers for it. However, an educated society is one that grows quickly, stays strong, and suffers less from such ills as crime and poverty. In fact, I would submit that America’s problems, manifold as they are, will become mitigated when Americans and their leaders finally realize that education is the cornerstone of every great society.

 

10 Ridiculous and Annoying Fads that Need to Go Away Wednesday, Feb 11 2009 

Fashion and Musings oneita 2:24 am

Now, a lot of these fads can be interesting, unique, and even original if used in the right fashion (although some are just plain stupid). However, for the purposes of this editorial, I’ll primarily be attacking the “mainstream” aspects of these fads. Below are the fads arranged into order from least annoying/ridiculous to most.

#10: Wayfarers

I own a pair of (fake) Ray Ban Wayfarers myself, and will be the first to admit that they are often an attractive addition to any ensemble. Yet, when every single person on the street has some variation of the Wayfarers, it gets old. What categorizes the usually cool Wayfarers ridiculous is the fact that every 14 year-old that thinks they are “mature” and/or “popular”, owns a pair of bright neon ones, and thinks they’re unique.

#9: Skulls

Skulls aren’t necessarily bad, even though they can be somewhat depressing and are obviously rather morbid. However, it is when they are plastered over every shirt, bag, accessory, and random whatever in existence that they become annoying. Some skulls are truly unique, thought-provoking, and artistically appealing, but the cartoony, childish ones tailored to pre-teens, or the overly intense, grimacing objects adorning slightly emo male t-shirts give all skulls a bad name.

#8: Animal Print

Again, I like animal print as much as anyone, particularly leopard print. But there comes a point when it is a) too much and b) tacky. Also, it is usually utilized by anyone that is striving to be popular, or is trying to affirm their popularity. In fact, it is, in general, unoriginal, although I do think zebra print rugs in random places are somewhat awesome.

#7: MySpace

This is where everyone says “Duh.” Not to be ineloquent, but really, that sums up the general feelings about MySpace, at least among the older set. MySpace has exploded into a corporate empire of tackyness, pre-teen angst, and general idiocy. Yes, making your own profile is amusing, and comments/messages/bulletins are nice ways to keep in touch with people, but all the ads and ridiculousness aren’t worth it. Facebook is the way to go, people.

#6: Vans

As in, the shoes. I admit, some are cool. But they have gotten WAY too out of hand. There’s no way I’m going to waste forty bucks on something unoriginal that half my school has. Honestly, the artwork of Vans only manages to be unique on rare occasions, and their sheer popularity makes any sort of Vans undesirable to those who want to be distinctive.

#5: Twilight/Vampires

Even disregarding the whole “vampires aren’t real and why for the sake of humanity are we obsessed with them” argument, way too many people have jumped on the undead bandwagon. Granted, the author of Twilight (Stephanie Meyer, for those of you who haven’t been living under a rock) is a truly impressive writer, but her twisting of vampirism into something sexy and exotic has led to a mind-boggling explosion in vampire paraphernalia. This fad is mostly just annoying due to the sheer quantity of vampire stuff.

#4: iPods

My issues with iPods are manifold. First, every single person on the planet, except for me and maybe one other person, has one. Second, they are über expensive yet break constantly and are often temperamental. Third, the quality doesn’t compare to other brands, like Creative, that make excellent products with the same capabilities for half the price of iPods. Granted, iPods are cool-looking and pretty schnazzy. But really, they aren’t worth it.

#3: Energy Drinks

If I’m not careful I might start going into a rant about these, because I literally think they are like legal drugs, only more dangerous since they are legal for any age. They are spiked with unhealthy amounts of caffeine, are subtly addicting, and obviously designed for the sole purpose of drawing children (and especially teenagers) in. The point is, they are ridiculously bad for anyone’s health and should all be thrown away/set on fire.

#2: Ugg Boots

I have to admit, I have never, ever understood the point of these. Sure, I hear they are comfy. And I think they are totally fine for wearing around the house, and maybe, MAYBE with some skinny jeans if you have no other shoes or outfit choices or something. But wearing Uggs with short skirts/shorts? I can appreciate the irony, but that doesn’t make this fad look any less ridiculous.

#1: Rastafarianism/Drug Scene

First of all, let me explain that Bob Marley, and Rastafarianism in general, was not all about marijuana. It drives me crazy to see all of the people sporting the Rasta colors/lion/trendy Bob Marley t-shirts purely because they smoke a bit of weed and think he’s cool because he did too. What Rastafarianism is really about, and what Bob Marley lived and made incredible music for, is peace, love, and brotherhood. Marijuana is only a small part of it and not at all what Bob Marley truly fought for. So, if you sport Rasta and have no idea what Rastafarianism actually is, and I ever have the pleasure to meet you, I will literally smack you in the face for being both a poser AND a druggie.

 

Cool Architecture + Ecomania Wednesday, May 28 2008 

Musings oneita 3:34 am

Lately I’ve been really into architecture, especially stuff with big windows and open floor plans. I’ve always thought it would be freaking expensive, but I’ve seen all sorts of cool eco-conscious houses, like the ones made out of tires in New Mexico, or my new loves- houses made out of recycled cargo containers. Crazy, right?

My personal opinion doesn’t amount to much, but I think it would be awesome to design one of those houses and, obviously, use it. In fact, I love this new green fad. As a lifelong tree hugger and vegetarian I naturally get upset when I start talking about eco stuff and people look at me like I’m just jumping on the bandwagon, but other than that minor annoyance I love this whole mentality. Now if only all those oil magnates would become fashionable…..

 

I’m Not Humorous Thursday, May 15 2008 

Musings oneita 1:58 am

As the title suggests, I shall be chatting today about why exactly I’m just not funny. Actually, it won’t be why, but rather, how depressing it is. Really, it is very disheartening to know that people are just counting down the seconds until you are out of their sight. It’s depressing to know that my friends probably don’t really know what I look like, too busy are they scanning the horizon for some newer, more interesting person. I think that in essence it is nothing more than a genetic failing, but it certainly feels like a personal failing. Actually, to add insult to injury it seems that it is in fact both- basically, you’re screwed no matter what. I can’t tell you how amazing it would be to be the sort of person people flock to, the sort of person who has people hanging on their every word. Yet, I know that this can never be. My tongue will never spin wondrous tales nor say something witty and relevant; it is far more likely to stumble around and trip over itself like the floppy wet apparatus it is.

Maybe though, this is all just something in the mind. Maybe this lack of self esteem can be remedied by being confident, by striking out with the knowledge that I am loved. Yet I am crippled by cowardice, which cripples my humor, and in turn leads me to be waved aside like so many fumbling conversationalists. Humor, it seems, shall never be a part of me, however much I yearn for it to be so.

 

Concious in a Lonely World Friday, May 9 2008 

Uncategorized oneita 2:17 am

I suppose, for formalities sake, I should start off with a thoughtful explanation of why exactly I’m writing a blog. Sadly, although I do have an explanation, it’s not very thoughtful. It was a simple decision decided on the spur of the moment, so….here I am.

That boring prologue aside, I’ll plunge straight into the murky world of myself. I am an artist, but a bad one. I am a lover of culture, yet I myself have little. I am a writer, yet I am nothing compared to so many talented others. I love to travel, but I have so many insecurities and petty fears that going on an airplane makes my heart thump. I love our great and diverse world, yet I hate the horrors within it.

Simple, unoriginal, right?