Commenting on your comments....

Hi everyone!

This post is going to be one giant thank you to everyone for leaving me such thoughtful comments. It is very much appreciated for I love to know how the rest of the world thinks. (This is how I judge if I am truly sane =]). Also it's nice to know it's not just me thinking these things and that people actually have opinions. Sometimes I just want to shake the people in this world and say, "HEY! WAKE UP! THIS STUFF IS HAPPENING IN YOUR LIFE! DO SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING!" But that's just me.

So besides the thank you to everyone. I'd like to take some time to reply to some comments and clear up a few things.

First on the agenda: my post about filtering.

Commenter Lucien said "Are you sure filtering isn't lying? Isn't the truth always better? What about..."Truth shall set you free."?
Along with your comment, "I'll always be there for you." Could you have pointed out examples of what you saw in the relationship that was detrimental to your friend?"

To answer that is simple. Or,er, maybe not. I do not think that filtering is lying. If you were asked what you had been doing a half hour ago and at such time you were in the shower, shaving your armpits I doubt that you would actually say shaving your armpits. You would probably just say you were in the shower. Besides, I think that the person receiving this information would probably like the general shower alibi without all the details. Although, I do think the truth is better, depending on the audience. Like I said in my first post, if you want an example of why I think it's sometimes better to filter, watch The Invention of Lying.

And I also think I use too many commas when I write. But that's a different story.

Also, about my friend's relationship, I did not want to go into too much detail just to protect her. Mostly I wasn't happy about their constant arguing and their lack of communication. After the initial shock wore off I did get to have an extensive talk with her about her future plans and how I felt.

OK. Next up is: my Facebook post.

I have to say that this one got the most feedback initially. I knew Facebook was a hot topic :).

Anyway, I received one comment I particularly enjoyed. They said "Why is it these games are so fascinating? Since when did human interaction become so dull/scary/unpleasant that we stopped seeking other people out to occupy our time? Instead, we spend hours pouring over whether our crop has whithered or feeding our virtual pet. My truth...we are too lazy/intimidated/broke to go out and make real friends. Either way, it's a sad state of affairs. But, until I hit the jackpot/get brave/drink more RockStar...will you fertilize my corn?"

This one was sent anonymously, but I do agree with you mysterious comment leaver. I think Facebook games are fascinating because I think it helps us to try things we haven't before. Not all of us are farmers, fisherman, zookeepers, mafia, vampires. So we live vicariously through Facebook. And humans became less appealing when companies could make our computers talk for us. Have you ever had your computer read emails for you? It's a little scary in my book. And if that is a true invitation to be friends on Farmville, then yes, I will fertilize your corn. (I'm still in need of more friends)

Number three: my post about sororities.

I want to preface this by saying that this is just my opinion based on what I know. Obviously I am not knowledgeable in every area (just most of them haha just kidding) so my last sentence of that post meant to clarify this. I do not claim that every sorority is how I described I was merely stating that this is what I have seen.

S.handman said "I think everyone is just so quick to judge and turn their head at any mention of the word "sorority" because of what the media has manipulated them to be. I mean you are able to make friends and often times will be able to find jobs because of the connections you have from your "brothers" and "sisters" which is extremely beneficial and helpful, especially in this day in age where finding a job is all about networking. But I'm not advocating for them either, I for one would never want to join one and still am a little "weirded out" at the thought of joining one, just because it's weird to think that you are forced into being friends with a certain group of people." and "But if you think about it sororities and fraternities are a lot like sports teams. They are exclusive to some extent, bring together kids with common interests and have a very apparent way of distinguishing them... You don't ever hear people saying 'oh my god what is that person thinking joining the soccer team...' "

I have two words for that: Well spoken. A lot of what we think is influenced by the media. I just watched the movie Josie and the Pussycats and wow there is a plethora (I love that word) of product placement just to poke fun at the sad fact that we are manipulated even through film. I have only known a couple people who were a part of sororities and they haven't had too many positive things to say so my thoughts were purely based on personal experience. I never really thought about the networking side and I think you brought up a good issue. And the sports team analogy does make sense. It is a very persuasive argument. Thanks for sharing. :)

Lucien said "Usually the philanthropic activity is REQUIRED. And there is no amount of humanitarian endeavors that can alter the way sororities are perceived. Hollywood is not that far off in its depiction. Vicious and catty are mild descriptions. The only thing Kate missed, is that you have to come from money/prestige/known family name.And lets not forget fraternities, has anyone seen the movie "The Skulls"?"

Wow. I have heard both bad and good about sororities and frats, but I do have to say more bad than good. I do agree that by just doing one good deed you cannot drastically change your reputation or how people perceive you. Also, I have not yet seen the Skulls, but if its anything how you described the sororities, do I want to?

Anonymous said "I think investigation is required before making any snap judgements about any group of people or club."

I completely agree. My points in the sorority post were simply the information that I have gathered from what I've been exposed to. Like I said before, my last sentence was supposed to clarify that.

Well that's it for tonight. I look forward to more comments in the future. You all have some spectacular ideas! :) Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. You don't know how awesome it is to actually have people read what I am thinking! Well you might know. But it still rocks. I love everyone's opinion. You don't even have to agree with me. It's just nice to know that you are there. Thanks again!

See you tomorrow with the poll results and maybe I'll do the truth of the week a bit early. We'll see.
<3 Kate

Things in my head

It is the first day of classes for me so my head does not know which way is up at the moment. Today's blog may seem a little out of the ordinary.

I am surprised I haven't thought to do this earlier, but I have decided to look up the definitions of "truth" and "lies."

According to dictionary.com the definition of truth is:

1) conformity with fact or reality
2) a verified or indisputable fact, proposition or principle
3) ideal or fundamental reality apart from and transcending perceived experience

Conversely, the definition of a lie is:

1)a false statement made with deliberate intent to deceive; an intentional untruth

Well that pretty much sums everything up. Very clearly. The dictionary and I became pretty good friends as soon as I had to start writing 10 page papers and reading things like Dante.

People always sound so knowledgeable and intelligent when they say things like "Ya I did a 10 page literary analysis on the parallels between the trips through hell of Dante and The Kite Runner." or "Ya Catcher in the Rye and the Odyssey were great books of scholarly merit." In reality we all just retained enough of the information to pass whatever tests were handed to us. We keep the title in a tiny file cabinet in the back of our minds, ready to be pulled out when we can use it to our advantage.

I'm in a writing class called "Getting emotional in 19th century literature." That is sure to give me a few more book titles to add to my little filing cabinet.

Speaking of classes...is it just me or are philosophy professors a special type of person? My roommate's philosophy prof, lets call him Dr.Fancy Pants, is just a little...i don't know...off? At least one time in the semester he will feign receiving hate emails and death threats. Dr. Fancy Pants will also, at least one time in the semester, threaten to quit. I do not know exactly how long he has been working at the university, but it has at least been since 1993. I have given him the name Dr. Fancy Pants for two reasons. 1-just for the sake of anonymity and 2-because he has a rather large ego and insists on reiterating the fact that he is French. Most people generally get along with him though. I also heard he has fantastically unique lectures. So he is an odd creature, but still essential to this world.

The next philosophy professor I had the pleasure to encounter I shall name Surfer Jim. Surfer Jim is my academic advisor. He is very laid back and knows a little bit about everything, but sadly doesn't know enough to help. I do find him very encouraging and supportive which is a good quality in an advisor. I imagine Surfer Jim saying something like "what up dude?" in his younger days. Maybe even now except his education is probably filtering his thoughts. Sometimes when I talk to him, he gets that vacant expression on his face as though he's thinking deep thoughts somewhere in the recesses of his brain that are just too complex to share. Surfer Jim is the modern Aristotle without being so loquacious. And has a haircut that would make any California boy jealous.

The third and last philosophy professor I have met is quite interesting as well. Picture this: He is Santa Claus meets actor Seth Rogan. And no, I'm not lying. =] He both speaks and looks like the lovechild of the aforementioned persons. Because of this, I don't even have the right words to give him a proper nickname. He thinks he is the greatest comedian, although his voice puts me straight into a coma. I don't have quite a good handle on his persona yet, but we will see how the rest of the semester plays out.

I would like to meet a philosophy professor that breaks the perceptions I have created from the three I have met thus far. Honestly they kind of weird me out.

So I'm sorry about the randomness of this blog today. I had no other way to be honest. The first day of classes just go over the syllabus. Stimulating stuff.

Until next time,
Kate

So you think you know sororities?

It's rush season here at school and I was just musing over the idea of sororities. My roommate's sister suggested we think about it so we become more involved. And maybe have a sense of purpose and something else to focus on besides school and homework.

So here's everything I know about sororities:

1)Girls are vicious and catty and will stab you in the back if you aren't on their good side.

2)Everyone finds out everything about everyone in the house. You have no secrets.

3)You will only get in if you are preppy, pretty or have family currently in or who were once apart of that sorority.

4)After you join you are immediately surrounded by drama and will become a part of the drama.

5)Sororities are full of traditions. Some bad, some good.

6)At least they always do one philanthropic thing together.

7)Sorority girls only want Frat boys. And vice versa.

8)Sororities have formal parties.

9)Its a good way to make friends, but it's too much trouble to keep them.

10)Sorority sisters are "forever."

11)Hazing is a sport to some sororities.

12)You get assigned a "big" to mentor you in the ways of that particular sorority and in the ways of that particular school.

13)Sororities are expensive because you all have to look alike.




Truth is....I don't know anything about sororities.
<3 Kate

I'm Back!

Hey everyone.

I haven't been writing because I have been traveling. I am now situated back in my dorm at school and mapping out my class schedule so I do not get lost on Wednesday. Truth of the week: Sometimes campus is a bit overwhelming.

Oh well.

The real Truth of the Week is this:


College, besides the education part, is a really really bad idea. If you think about it, when is it ever a smart move to contain hundreds of rambunctious teenagers in a relatively small area with zero adult supervision? The answer is probably never. Isn't this moving away to college business just opening the door to all the possible shenanigans we youngsters could get into? There is no one there telling us to eat our vegetables, make our bed, finally throw away that piece of leftover pizza from a few weeks ago. We are our own people now. It goes without saying that there will NEVER be a moment when everyone in the dorm is asleep at the same time. And for that matter there probably will NEVER even be a time where everyone is just quiet. You're roommate will probably have a different sleep schedule/study habits/music preference than you. There will always be that one room that insists on blaring their sub-par techno.

But, honestly, I probably wouldn't trade it for anything. Being here makes a person stronger, more independent, related to MacGyver, and some how magically turns you into an adult one day. (I threw in the MacGyver part for fun :D It takes a lot of ingenuity to make the same dorm food taste different every day.)


Happy MLK Day!
Kate

PS: still waiting to hear what people thing about my questions in the last post. Comments would be very much appreciated. Please & Thank you :)

PPS: I just got reminded that QK looks a little like a sideways ninja. Just thought you should know.