One of my favorite questions has always been “why?” You can ask my parents, I was one of the most inquisitive and annoying children ever. I just love knowing why things happen and how they work. Of course, my parents, in typical parental fashion, often fell back on the standard answer of “because.”
Understandably, “because” was an infuriating answer to my beloved “why?” Even now, I hate it when a response boils down to a simple statement of ignorance and/or apathy. Please, give me an answer of substance and reality—if you don’t know, just say so.
Today I was reminded of that classic scene in which Spock asks Kirk why he is climbing a mountain. Kirk replies, “because it’s there!” Like Spock, I do not consider that cavalier response a sufficient reason. Life’s questions should not be dismissed so easily.
Not every opportunity should be taken. Each “truth” must be examined to determine its veracity. Perhaps everything can’t be explained, but that does not mean we should stop asking. I would hate to live in a world without people who challenge the status quo by asking “why?” Then, everyone would still think the world was flat.
Showing posts with label star trek. Show all posts
Showing posts with label star trek. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Guy Buttersnaps & Co.
I don’t know about you, but in this crazy world, I can only get by with a little help from my friends. Even if I do think I’m going crazy when I can’t find something because they borrowed it. I love all my friends and sometimes nicknames just happen. For instance, one of my current friends is generally referred to as Guy Buttersnaps, thanks to John Cena and James Roday.
Over the years, I’ve gotten to be good friends with Jae, Gidget, Helen, and the list goes on… Most of my best friends don’t live anywhere near me, but thank God for modern technology! Elsewise, how could I ever say my confession? Not seeing each other for a year or two at a time still stinks, though. Guy Buttersnaps, however, I usually see every day or two.
Sometimes it scares me when we order the exact same meals. We do love the same TV shows—she introduced me to Castle and Bones, and I showed her Burn Notice and Drop Dead Diva. Good friends aren’t just about fun, though. The time we banned complaining about stupid boys for a whole week was awesome. In fact, I think we may need to do that again soon.
My friends get me through the day. They think my purple Fergalicious shoes are fabulous (which they totally are) and sing Glee songs in my office. True friends also tell you the brutal truth when you need to hear it, and not just that the dress makes you look fat. Today, I’m grateful for my friends! Especially Guy Buttersnaps… even if she did “accidentally” throw out my Star Trek DVD.
Over the years, I’ve gotten to be good friends with Jae, Gidget, Helen, and the list goes on… Most of my best friends don’t live anywhere near me, but thank God for modern technology! Elsewise, how could I ever say my confession? Not seeing each other for a year or two at a time still stinks, though. Guy Buttersnaps, however, I usually see every day or two.
Sometimes it scares me when we order the exact same meals. We do love the same TV shows—she introduced me to Castle and Bones, and I showed her Burn Notice and Drop Dead Diva. Good friends aren’t just about fun, though. The time we banned complaining about stupid boys for a whole week was awesome. In fact, I think we may need to do that again soon.
My friends get me through the day. They think my purple Fergalicious shoes are fabulous (which they totally are) and sing Glee songs in my office. True friends also tell you the brutal truth when you need to hear it, and not just that the dress makes you look fat. Today, I’m grateful for my friends! Especially Guy Buttersnaps… even if she did “accidentally” throw out my Star Trek DVD.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Kobayashi Maru
I don’t believe in no-win scenarios. A situation may seem grim, but that just means that you’re overlooking something. Even dying is a form of winning. Personally, I’d take heaven over anything here on earth any day.
Sometimes all a sticky situation needs is time. Things have a way of working themselves out quite nicely when left alone. Of course, some circumstances demand action, in which case, get moving already! The trick is knowing the difference. But denying that there is a problem won't help any.
Often, the best solution is the simplest one. The facts can only be manipulated so many ways, so pick one and stick to it. Go ahead—redefine the parameters, bring in outside help, turn the whole thing upside down! And when all else fails… cheat. After all, losing a fair fight isn't much incentive to fight fair, now is it?
Sometimes all a sticky situation needs is time. Things have a way of working themselves out quite nicely when left alone. Of course, some circumstances demand action, in which case, get moving already! The trick is knowing the difference. But denying that there is a problem won't help any.
Often, the best solution is the simplest one. The facts can only be manipulated so many ways, so pick one and stick to it. Go ahead—redefine the parameters, bring in outside help, turn the whole thing upside down! And when all else fails… cheat. After all, losing a fair fight isn't much incentive to fight fair, now is it?
Friday, May 21, 2010
I Failed Kindergarten
True story: they made me repeat kindergarten. I don’t remember the exact reason, considering I was only five years old. I do remember that my teacher, Miss Stives, was the coolest person ever, with that 90s perm, giant glasses, and don’t forget the shoulder pads. The good news is that I did eventually pass the grade, finish high school a year early, and get elected class president in college.
One of the characteristics of my generation is turning out to be our individuality. While our obsession with personalization can be ridiculous, there’s a lot to be said for our confidence in ourselves. We are who we are and don’t try to change us. We have redefined failure and re-accept the challenge to “boldly go where no one has gone before.”
We don’t need good luck because we’ve never had it. Most of us have grown up in dysfunctional families, each with their own unique blend of single-parent-blended-family-step-and-half-sibling chaos. If we can survive our screwed up childhood, bring on the future! How bad could it be?
So what if you fail classes, default on loans, get evicted, lose your job, and get dumped simultaneously? We may not be the most responsible generation ever, but we are strong survivors. We don’t always know what we want, but once we know what it looks like, we go for it. I like to think that when we’re grandparents some day, we’ll each be able to tell our unique stories about the time we failed kindergarten but kept going anyway—and had fun doing it!
One of the characteristics of my generation is turning out to be our individuality. While our obsession with personalization can be ridiculous, there’s a lot to be said for our confidence in ourselves. We are who we are and don’t try to change us. We have redefined failure and re-accept the challenge to “boldly go where no one has gone before.”
We don’t need good luck because we’ve never had it. Most of us have grown up in dysfunctional families, each with their own unique blend of single-parent-blended-family-step-and-half-sibling chaos. If we can survive our screwed up childhood, bring on the future! How bad could it be?
So what if you fail classes, default on loans, get evicted, lose your job, and get dumped simultaneously? We may not be the most responsible generation ever, but we are strong survivors. We don’t always know what we want, but once we know what it looks like, we go for it. I like to think that when we’re grandparents some day, we’ll each be able to tell our unique stories about the time we failed kindergarten but kept going anyway—and had fun doing it!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)