Choice vs. Destiny

    In class we have been discussing different peoples' lives. I have noticed that their is a vast difference between each person. Obviously everyone has their own unique life, but the difference between someone who lives a life working at a fast food restaurant everyday and another person who gives up all their possessions and moves away to a live with monks in the mountains is almost too different. Thinking of the differences in these lives made me ask the question do we really have a choice in our lives or is our life planned out from birth by something/someone else? Their are many books and movies where people living the first life, the one with the same job forever, dream about doing something more, like living with monks. However, if they really wanted to have that life, don't you think they would? This brings up the argument choice vs. destiny. Do you really have control of our lives? Are there some things we can control and others that we can't? For me I believe that that we don't have total control over our lives. The stuff in our lives we can't control I think is from the effects of the choices other people make. It would be really cool if we could know how our lives end up, but I don't believe that our lives are predestined. What are your thoughts?

Brad Schneider's Bold Move

     While watching TV the other night a commercial came on for Brad Schneider, who is running for Congress this year. In the commercial he promised to work with both Republicans and Democrats, "as long as they have a good idea". A week or two ago we talked about how careful politicians had to be about what they say in their speeches. Even though what Schneider says sounds like a good idea, I don't know if people who actually know about politics will agree with me. Brad could have just shot himself in the foot with this commercial. Although I think that Brad's idea sounds like it makes sense I can see why people who are very into politics would not like it. Brad lists himself as a democrat but what does it mean if he thinks the Republicans have good ideas too? If he is willing to work with both Democrats and Republicans does that mean that he does not fully believe in Democratic values? People want to fix our nations problems, but will they want a solution from someone with different political values than the ones they have? Do you think this will help or hurt Brad's campaign?

READ THIS POST AND GET FREE STUFF

     I was at a Northwestern University football game and at the end i was walking out and saw a huge group of people by the locker rooms. I asked what they were there for and found out that they were all waiting for the visiting football team to leave, because then they would get to go in the locker room and keep anything the team had left behind. Used socks, dirty football gloves, and sweaty towels, why would people want to keep these things. Then I thought about why so many people were waiting, FREE STUFF. People, I think especially Americans, are obsessed with getting free things. Think about it, at a business fair what is the most appealing booth? I know for me and others that I have seen we love the place giving out free pens or free candy. Even when we don't need a pen or the calories from the candy, we still pick one up.

Picture from Google 

    I think this highlights how Americans just want more stuff. We think subconsciously that the more possessions we have the happier we will be. When we don't have to pay to add to our collections its even better. Americans need to take a step back and stop focusing on material possessions and wanting more and more. Instead they should focus on what they have and how fortunate they are.
    By the way the free stuff you get from this post is some perspective and a chance to read my thoughts. You are welcome.

Is Reality Television Realistic?

        On a usual monday night, you can find me at the television watching the reality television series Bachelor Pad. Three nights later on thursday, you can find me watching Awkward, a scripted show on MTV about a girl in high school. Why is it that I find more in common with a scripted show compared to one that is supposed to be about the real lives of people? Now, I'm not saying this is true in every case but shows like Glee, Grey's Anatomy, Friends, Friday Night Lights, and How I Met Your Mother seem to be more like real life than reality television. Reality TV shows like Keeping Up With the Kardashians, The Bachelorette, The Real World, and Desperate house wives are very entertaining but are they for real? I think that if reality TV was more like our real lives it would be boring. Just imagine if a camera followed you around would people be entertained? So, this lead me to believe that reality television is somewhat staged to be more entertaining. After doing a little research I found that even the producer of a popular reality TV series had said that "seventy to eighty percent of reality TV is b.s." (For the article click here). When it comes down to it people just want to be entertained. Americans that watch reality television like the drama and the emotions no matter if it is real or not.

Red, White, and Blue is Cool, but Everyday at School?

American flag shorts via google and thefashionpolice.net

      The other day at school a girl in my spanish class was wearing a tank top with an american flag printed on it. The next day a different girl in my math class had jean shorts on with stars and stripes on them as well. I am all in for showing U.S.A. pride on the Fourth of july or during the olympics. However, for just an everyday look I am confused as to why girls were suddenly so excited to show there pride. When a lot of people are wearing a certain item of clothing it is called a fad. Some examples from the past couple of years are UGG boots, combat boots, and skinny jeans. Although I would have never thought that wearing our country's flag around could be considered as just another fad, American girls have proved me wrong. As americans, most of us like to follow the leader. By doing this we stay with the group and don't draw attention to ourselves. What some people call American flag couture was originally made famous by pop icons Ke$ha and Katy Perry. People buy into fads that celebrities start because then it makes the person feel like they somehow are a part of the celebrity life. Even though I buy into fads just like the next person, I think we as Americans should start marching to our own  drums of fashion and not make fads anymore.