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Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Don't Steal in California!

     Last night in Crim class, we watched a movie about the prisons in Susanville CA. The idea is that they're taking over the county, supposedly providing jobs, but actually taking away business (which loses jobs) and imports products instead of buying locally. The film followed a few peoples' stories, and one in particular I found quite amazing.

     This couple (Lonnie and Jennifer) and their two sons were living in their car, and Lonnie had a job interview somewhere near Susanville. They literally had just enough money to fill the gas tank to get there. The kids were sitting in the back screaming and crying out of starvation because they hadn't been able to afford food for a few days. So they stopped in Susanville, and Lonnie went in to a depanneur (aka: variety store for all you crazy non-Quebeckers) and stole a loaf of bread, some noodles and juice, basically just a bit of food for his kids, and the groceries were worth only $28. He was caught and sent to prison for sixteen months! That's almost a year and a half. For feeding his kids by stealing $30. I feel like I have that much money in change in my couch cushions; it's basically nothing! What the crap is the big deal?! It was so depressing to hear him talk about how useless he felt when he couldn't feed his kids, and of course he was on probation for a year, and couldn't leave Susanville. Catch-22 here: all the jobs in Susanville have been wiped out because of the prison, so you're limited to prison guard or unemployed. Being an "ex-con" he isn't allowed to work in the prison. And he needs a job to support his family and be eligible for release from parole. What bullshit.

     I have a quilter's workshop on Saturday to make a Celtic table runner. I'm so excited! It's going to be my first workshop, and I am actually a little worried how I'm supposed to get all my stuff there: machine, rotary mat, fabric, iron, accessories and supplies...and I have to take the bus. I'll post a picture when I get home on Saturday. The fabric I picked is gorgeous, but so not me! I'm so excited to see how it will turn out!

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Chris Brown: to like or not to like?

     So I'm on the bus on the way to my three hour Crim class. I don't want to go, but I have to hand in my paper that's half done and a week late. I'm sitting here listening to my Spring 2011 playlist, and the song Yeah3x by Chris Brown is playing. Because I try to rate most of my music, I was deciding between 3 stars (I like it) and 4 stars (I really like it, and want to add it to my playlist of favourites). I decided on 4 stars because as it turns out, I really did want it to be rotated in with my other favourite songs.

     My train of through went like this: I started thinking what's in my playlist of favourites, and I realized Chris Brown's song Forever is like a 6/5 and definitely on that list. Since I just saw his interview with Good Morning America, I was thinking about that situation. He's totally cracked. I understand that he wants to talk about his album, but you're in the wrong and you're in the spotlight, you can't exactly tell the world when the situation is over. Rihanna can, as the victim, but Chris Brown cannot.

     Insert: in all honestly i dont even know if i believe the whole situation. i admit i was out of the know at the time, but for some reason I didn't really feel like following it. I'm not very star-obsessed, I really just like the music. Please don't anyone take this the wrong way, I am not belitling the situation.

     Musically I am so on Chris' side. I said musically, people, I don't endorse domestic violence! I was thinking about all their music, and I really hate a lot of Rihanna's music (well, really dislike). Umbrella, Don't Stop The Music, Rude Boy, Only Girl In The World. (I do like some songs, like Love The Way You Lie and Rehab♥). And Chris Brown's music I love: Yeah3x, With You, Forever♥. I just realized how odd that was.

     BTW: Forever is ♥♥♥

Monday, March 28, 2011

What's Going On?

     Is there something in the air? Did Holly and I awaken spirits on Saturday when we played boardgames by candles? (Pope John Paul ... best guess/luck ever).

     Today makes it the second day in, oh I guess a week, that I am being haunted by my past. You know when something happens and you get over it, you write it off, get over it, believe that it's in the past and move on? Yah, well I did that. And now that wall I put up is being bombed down. And I am in too much shock to do anything.

     Sometimes you force yourself to forget things because they are too confusing or painful to constantly dwell on. A lot of people repress their childhoods, or certain relationships. Why do those memories seem to always jump back when you finally believe you're over them?

     I don't even know if this makes sense, I am still so confused. Also, considering, I am too scared to say anything concrete for fear of scaring it away.

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Criminology Paper = Prison!

"Prison is not only a place for the incarcerated."

     Definitely. Prison takes the form of Criminology papers and is out to get me.

     Okay, I will admit that the article I am (almost) finished reading is moderately interesting. It's a 40 page story describing inch by inch the experiences of family who want to visit their incarcerated loved ones at the San Quentin prison. It really opens the eyes of yours truly; an upper-middle class young adult who really doesn't know the first thing about imprisonment (other than what I learn in my classes of course). I have come to the conclusion that while being imprisoned is no walk in the park, it sucks just as much to be the wife or child who is attempting to visit their criminal kin. Okay, lesson learned, can I go play Mario Kart now?!

     Yes, I am full aware that I am procrastinating. But somehow I got suckered in to telling my teacher that I would be finished this monstrous creation by tonight, and now I'm going back and kicking my yesterday's dumb-ass behind. I am in the frame of mind right now that it is a completely hopeless task, and I may as well give up before I waste my time trying to write a good paper; it will probably get an F anyway, seeing as it's so late.

     It doesn't help that Dublin is sitting on the chair staring at me. Taunting me is more like it. He's communicating that he may shit in a box but he can sleep and play and eat whenever he wants, and that to him, right now I look pathetic.

"Suck an elf!"

Um little insert: apparently in the UK, wives of prisoners are subject to strip searches due to increased security measures, and are considered "humiliating, especially, for example for women, who ... might be asked to remove [tampons] (Codd 2008, p. 61)". So what do the wardens say: "Um, excuse me miss, would you mind removing your tampon, I need to check your vagina to see if you're smuggling in heroin." Sexual harassment much? WTF?!!


Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Blow Blows

     I hate watching music videos. All of them. I hate them on principle, and while that usually is ignorant, I believe that my reasons for this case are valid. When I listen to music, I let my imagination run free. Sometimes I picture a story, sometimes I am reminded of a memory, good or bad, and sometimes I don't imagine anything. But I like it that way. I have seen only a few videos over the years that have not angered and annoyed me; if the song tells a story, the music video should tell the same story.

     Allow me to clarify. For those of you who haven't seen the music video for California Girls by Katy Perry, what does the song make you think of? For me, it was a perfect summer song, about how the girls in California are so hot and fun and life is such a party, nothing bothers them, all the guys want these girls and California is amazing. Yah. Now go watch the video. See what I mean? Now you won't be able to listen to the song anymore ever again without picturing Katy Perry prancing around candy land like it's the next Willy Wonka's Factory, lying naked in the marshmallow clouds and lactating whipped cream. Please oh please explain to me why this is a)entertaining, b)appealing c)relates at all to California and the summertime. You see, the song is ruined forever.

     Songs which have good videos: Taylor Swift's You Belong With Me (I think this is a perfect example), Hedley's Don't Talk To Strangers or Dierks Bentley's Settle for a Slowdown. See what I mean?

     Back to the matter at hand. Ke$ha. Need I say more? (or does the dollar sign in her name speak for itself) On the docket tonight: Blow.

     In all honesty, I didn't really have much of a picture in my head with regards to this song. Just some major partying, perhaps some exploding fireworks. She and her posse of crazy people get in the back door, everyone is so excited to see them, and they take over the club with their music, dancing on the tables and DJ booth and whatever. Of course that is far from the truth.

     Observe. Seriously, seriously creepy unicorn headed people drinking champagne with Kesha. Oh, and enter James Van Der Beek. Yup, Dawson from Dawson's Creek. Okay buddy, maybe you feel the need to re-enter the spotlight, but in a Kesha video? Bad idea. So Kesha and Dawson are eye-fucking each other across the room, interrupted only by Kesha making out with a unicorn. No biggie. Glance away for a second, and when you look back, you get a juicy shot of JVDB air humping. Then they each take off their black lacy bras, and come together in a sexually charged, creepy confrontation. Oh, my bad, James van der Douche. Then they have a laser gun fight, ending in the beheading of Dawson, who is now James van der Dead. Sooo clever.

    I sentence you to Blow Chunks.

Chugging Along

     I have to say, as much as I was dreading today's work load, I do admit that I am mildly impressed at my writing so far. I do, however, wonder where this creative streak has returned from ... probably been in hiding since 2008, too scared to make the transition from CEGEP to University by my side. I suppose I should be frustrated, but in all honesty, I don't want to scare it away, so I'll appreciate it for now. It's actually quite refreshing; this is the first time in years that I have sit down to write, and the words, ideas and creativity just come pouring out.

     Of course I'm wasting them on my blog. Typical though; can you honestly say you're surprised? I didn't think so.

     On the docket for today: finish my historical psychology paper on Masters and Johnson. Their work is very interesting, but looking at it from a historical point of view really ruins the whole thing. Need I reiterate how much I hate history?

     Hmm all of a sudden I really want to watch Twilight. Mmm or play Wii...

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Long, Long Time...

     Does that sound like the title or bridge of a country song?

     Anyway, I know it has been a really long time. Shame on me! I know. Perhaps I have no legitimate excuse, but I will attempt to offer one nonetheless; I have been so busy!! There were midterms, then I got sick, and now I have finals, and Matt is sick.

     When was the last time I went to class? Why are none of my papers done? Counting down two hours until my ten page Criminology paper is due. I have to write five pages on each topic, one of which is how families of prisoners are forced into their own version of incarceration due to the stigma of association. I feel that that topic is fairly easy to BS my way through, I think I can come up with enough information to fill hopefully four pages. The other topic is about how prisoners lose their self identity from the outside when they serve time, and how they are prisonized and form a new identity. I don't know how to crap that. There's only like half the necessary readings in my course pack, and it's soooo looong. I also have an eight page paper due tomorrow night on Masters and Johnson. While the topic is interesting at least, I need twenty articles and they're so long too.

     Why can't I just sleep as much as I want, take a bubble bath, read, and play computer games? Why do I have to have responsibilities :(
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