This is a tumblelog, kinda like a blog but with short-form, mixed-media posts with stuff I like. Scroll down a bit to start reading, or a bit more to read more about me.
Thoughts on KONY 2012
Like many people out there on Facebook, I have watched the viral video KONY 2012. I believe that the narrator and creator of the video is very intelligent and efficient at getting his concerns about the Rebels in Uganda out into the public through social media. It was an inspiring movement— it got millions and millions of viewers after just a few days of its release. I watched this video kind of late, but the good thing about watching this late was seeing all the various responses of friends and bloggers on the internet.
Unlike a few haters, I don’t think that the narrator of the viral video was trying to trick people into donating to the Invisible Children. Yes, some people actually believe that, without stating ANY proof that Invisible Children is taking in donations for themselves. I’ve been reading blogs and random posts tagged with “KONY 2012,” and I just get so annoyed at posts that stupidly bash on the video, saying that it is “bullshit” when they have NO PROOF whatsoever of it being “bullshit.” It is irritating when I see posts with “Oh, I’m not jumping on this ‘bandwagon’.” This is NOT a bandwagon to be jumped on— this is a good cause, this is for AWARENESS, not your opinion on whether or not you should decide to jump on the bandwagon.
It is true that this video lacks many strategies and plans for capturing Joseph Kony. There might not even be proof that he is alive or WHERE he is (I keep hearing random rumors of his location and whether or not he is dead or alive).
As one reporter writes,
“Kony 2012 peddles a simplistic narrative, devoid of nuance. It offers no concrete plan other than to “stop Kony.” It doesn’t explain what will happen if he is caught (nor the means by which he will be caught), whether the child-soldiers he recruited should be punished along with him or whether government troops, who were also responsible for countless atrocities, should too be brought to justice.”
(Source: http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1632821/Blog-Kony-2012-Hype-over-substance)
I do believe that most people are supporting something they do not know the background to and are basing most of their beliefs off of a video, but for people to the judge its validity without backing themselves up with proof of HOW and WHY it is “bullshit” just pisses me off. This video was very moving— very efficient at covering the facts and simplicity of the things we citizens may do to help the cause. But give it a break— it is a 30 minute long video condensed to display facts and start a movement, it isn’t going to be very detailed.
What is Sleep Paralysis?
During sleep, a part of the brain in the pons releases chemical substances that cause paralysis of the body. This paralysis causes us to not be able to move. When we are about to wake up, these chemicals start to disappear and disinhibit our muscles so we can move them. But if we wake up before this, we get sleep paralysis where we are awake but not able to move our bodies.
College, if you’re lucky enough to get there, is really about figuring out your friends and your values as well as your dreams for the future. Nobody — well, almost nobody — finds a top-paying position right out of college. Most of us have to pay our dues and climb a dozen different career ladders before we find one that has rungs we can reach — and a place at the top with a view that suits us. If you land that seemingly “perfect” job with a salary worth boasting about, but then you hate it and are afraid to quit, your wings are clipped. That “safe” job will kill your creativity, drown your enthusiasm, and smother your ability to get up in the morning with a bounce in your step. Why stay?
The answer most people give is “fear.” We’ve all heard the unemployment statistics.
But let’s turn those around. The unemployment rate is high — even upwards of 12 percent in certain U.S. cities. But that means that 88 percent of people have jobs. Can they make a living on their wages? That depends on how you define a “living.” Maybe you don’t need a new car, or a car at all. Maybe you can find a seasonal rental or roommates.
Jobs are like college courses. Each one you take teaches you a set of new skills and offers a fresh perspective on life. They aren’t meant to be permanent, most of them. They are only stepping stones.
Cleaning Out the Closet.
I realized that amongst my many posts on Tumblr, nearly 5% of them are written, diary-like posts with texts. Otherwise, they are simply quotes, pictures, and other bullshit that I find interesting. However, I recently have been digging through the past and finding all these privated, unfinished, and very personal/ emotional posts that I never dared share with the internet, or even with friends. But today, I realize that I am unafraid of revealing the real emotions felt during those times of stifled chaos.
January 12th, 2011— About a year ago.
Strange how throughout the last few months I dug into a dusty box and tried to revive you. You seemed so cozy there in your spot, doing nothing— collecting dust. I can’t stand not being able to see you as that once animated, favorite object of affection. You used to stand on your own to show me a good time, and show me all the things in life I am missing when you are not there. You captivated me from my already desirable position, and drew me away from comfort. My curiosity for your mysteriousness took control, and now I cannot seem to let you go. In the beginning you were exciting and generous at letting yourself amaze me whenever I needed the entertainment. Now it seems as if you are old and out of ideas. Not only that, you seemed to have left your matter to me while you drifted away to other engagements. Now I pick you up, constantly, hoping you’d do something to capture my heart again. But it never works because it is always predictable since I am the wielder.
When should objects be thrown away?
AFTERTHOUGHTS: I can’t believe it took 9 months after this to realize when certain “objects should be thrown away” as in, making smart decisions to leave your ass and be happy.
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Now this was sometime in October 2011 I believe. This still scares the shit out of me:
Shedding
It’s time to peel off the inebriated-college-undergrad identity that I’ve been sporting for a good 4.5 years now. Graduation is just around this upcoming quarter, and after grinding through years of finals weeks for my Psychology major, and Art and Law minors, I am definitely sure that graduate school is not the next step for me.. yet.
But producing mass applications for salary-based slave work as a brand new college graduate gets dull. “Self-starting,” “Seeks new responsibilities”,”Leadership Skills,” ETC ETC— these are the kinds of ambiguous fillers employers stuff in their little “Qualifications” sections of their job postings. I sit there are stare at these useless descriptions and cry because I do not think I qualify. How do you make these little phrases define you? To what extent do they mean you must possess when they list these generic abilities?
AFTERTHOUGHTS: I am still scared shitless. But nothing like a little exaggeration and confidence can’t do.
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Through these emotions felt and expressed by these ridiculous privated posts, I have come a long way from these insecurities and low confidence levels. Change is something that comes very slowly, and influenced by very large pushes and impacts of life-altering decisions. I personally do not regret things anymore because they contribute to change and how you appreciate life’s changes. Despite how dark and ugly some of our histories and mistakes might be, it just might be the reason why one stands with fortitude at the moment.
