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As a college student, I am taking basic classes; eng101, ma07, and among them, intro to human communications. I recieved an assignment from my professor which instructed me to watch a speech sometime a few weeks ago by president Obama, and then write a response on it. I didn't watch the speech, and contemplated on what I should write for my assignment. This is what I ended up turning in. I will update when I recieve a grade and or response.



I am going to take a very honest approach in writing this response. I find that lying makes me rather anxious and nervous- in addition the simple fact that I am simply not a good liar. But moving along, two things that provoke serious irritation within me include; 1.) television, and 2.) politics. Although I was at my place of employment the night Obama’s speech was aired, I am going to be honest in saying that even if I had the day off, I probably would have not watched it anyway.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I am not a Mormon, nor do I live under a rock. I am fully aware of the basic logistics concerning the United States politics. I also know how to operate a remote control. However, I feel that I simply have better things to do; such as completing schoolwork, meditating, and creating an artistic masterpiece; rather than sitting in front of an animated box for an hour, listening to someone speak about the demise of our government.

I am a firm believer in the notion that actions speak louder than words. President Obama is a very educated man and articulate speaker. He conveys a strong message and he does it while looking rather stylish. I, however, can say the same for myself. Give me a freshly starched oxford shirt and about half an hour with a thesaurus, and I could sell water to a fish. I respect Obama, and the change that he wants to promote within our country. I feel that his motives are genuine, and his concern is for the people. However, like I previously stated, I become irritated when so much time, money, and effort is placed into the broadcasting of TALKING about change, rather than BEING about it. Perhaps if a lot of our politicians stepped away from their mirrors for a minute, and just put their speeches into a course of action, this reform may happen a bit sooner. Personally, I am rubbed the wrong way by people- civilians- that sit there and complain about all of the corruption within our government. These same people, that when you ask them what they are doing personally to change what has gone wrong, just give you a death look. I mean, come on. Me, myself- I have a little issue about some weight that I would like to lose. However, I am currently not following a course of action to lose the weight, and therefore, there is no one to blame but myself. In jest, there is also no reason to complain. Unless I do something about it, and fail- there is nothing I can say. Like the old saying goes, if nothing changes, then nothing changes. It is up to me to change the things around me that I am not happy with, and not necessarily broadcasting it to the public while in the process.

To me, politics is like socially acceptable doses of drama for the adult population. Politicians, in my eyes, are just attention seeking control freaks who maybe didn’t get hugged enough as a child. Maybe, in middle school, they didn’t get elected for class president and this is their quest for revenge. Or perhaps their parents never allowed them to get that cool new haircut back in high school, and they never recovered from the emotional trauma.

But anyway, I realize that this didn’t exactly follow the guidelines of the assignment. However, I hope that my heartfelt account of personal honesty regarding politics and humanity in general will be sufficient. You can’t win them all, after all.

Toilet Epiphany

Recovery is such a strange experience... it makes you think about things way out of the realms that even under the influence, most people would never think about. Take for instance, just a few moments ago. I got out of work and I went out to get coffee and discuss my life with a fellow friend. And so I come home, and because of the caffeine, I have to pee. So, I go into my bathroom, sit down on the toilet, and relieve my bladder. And mid-stream, I began to think. Going to the bathroom in my old life was such a different experience. Because rarely would I ever enter the bathroom with pure intentions of just relieving my excretory system. I mean, that would usually happen during the process; but going to the bathroom was like a ritual. I had my using supplies stashed among my toiletries and personal items, and upon entering the bathroom I would always lock the door. Now, I’m not a very shameful person. I will pee with the stall door open in a public bathroom. Call it laziness; call it a lack of humility. I just call it being comfortable with myself. But anyway, while sitting on my toilet before, I realized that rarely do I ever lock doors. Because I have nothing to hide anymore! Sure, maybe someone might walk in while I am peeing or excreting, but the worst that will happen is that we will share an awkward moment- perhaps even a stifled giggle, and then forget about it later. The reason behind all the locked doors was not that of a desire for privacy, but needing to hide the things I was doing. Because even if someone walked in on me in the bathroom, I would not have a tourniquet around my arm and be poking around my veins with a needle. So when all was said and done, I briefly considered taking all of the locks out of my doors, because no longer do I need to hide. My family, however... I don't know how they would feel about that. Just because you change, and can pee with the door open, doesn't necessarily mean your family can, too.

Just food for thought...

The art of silence

Why do we as humans have a constant need to fill the atmosphere with wasteful words? I mean, what is so wrong with sitting in silence for a prolonged period of time? Have you ever thought of the real purpose of magazines in doctors’ waiting rooms? It’s not because we wait for such long periods of time before we see the doctor. I mean, maybe on a very busy day if the doctor is caught up with a terrible case of scabies, or maybe a bad whooping cough. But the real underlying reason for those outdated magazines that no one would be caught dead paying for at the grocery store, is for people to have something to distract themselves from the silence that lingers.

Someone once said that the way you know if you're in a good relationship with another person is if the two of you can sit side by side, enjoying each other's company and yet not saying anything. The fact that meaningless conversation does not have to take place in order to maintain a sense of comfortability is a key factor in compatibility.

So, the next time you are able to enjoy a comfortable silence with another person, tell them how much you appreciate it! It’s a rare occurance, so relish in it.

ENJOY THE SILENCE.