Survival of the Fittest

Having suffered through many of the usual symptoms and effects I can't help but draw the conclusion: pregnancy makes no damn sense. When you take into account all the mental effects and physical illness it's a wonder anyone is alive at all. Here are the typical signs:

*Nausea

*Morning Sickness

*Headaches

*UTIs

*Kidney Stones

*Lack of appetite

*Heartburn

*Lack of mobility

*Stiffness of limbs

*Rapid weight gain

*Breathing difficulties

*A tiny person kicking your insides..

Any number of these on a non-pregnant person would be cause for alarm or immediate hospitalization. Also, without proper access to medical care if a person in an underdeveloped nation were to get any of these their chances of dying from it would be extremely high.

So, despite this being 'normal' for pregnancy consider how the following affects the chances of an infant's survival:

*Nausea,Lack of appetite, Morning Sickness & Heartburn:

This one is pretty simple. You don't eat, you don't get the food your body needs to make a baby. You'd figure evolution would prepare you so that you can get all nutrition possible, but this is sadly not the case. Sorry baby, if I can't eat, neither can you. Add on top of that the nations that already have a food shortage, and it's a wonder there's such a mass population in those third world countries.

*Headaches & Forgetfulness:

Inflicting mental anguish on a body already under physical attack is a wonderful idea. Not.

*UTIs &Kidney Stones:

Apart from exposing your unborn fetus to painful and possibly deadly diseases near the birth canal....wait? Where was I going with this?

*Lack of mobility,Rapid weight gain & Stiffness of limbs:

Although we don't have the same worries over running away from a fanged predator in the night, any modern threats like say, a bad driver or a falling heavy object could still kill off the slow waddling pregnant lady.

*Breathing difficulties:

Like being able to eat, if the mother can't breathe, neither can the baby. Babies without oxygen are kind of a huge problem.

*A tiny person kicking your insides..

Self explanatory. Be thankful they cannot rupture organs. Maybe.

Sure, you can argue it's this way so that only the strong and healthy babies survive this ordeal. I mean, yes, we're stretchy and able to overcome many diseases thanks to modern medicine, but our ancestors had to live through all of these great pains without technology and suffered greatly compared to our pampered lives. Even in this modern world the infant mortality rate in several countries is no less a disturbing statistic. The human body is not built adequately to care for both a fetus and a mother. When thinking about all the aforementioned, it's surprising anyone is born without severe damage.

...

everyone can go away now.

As Beatles Sing..'HELP!'

That is about the most appropriate song I can think of at the moment..at least the part where the guys send out an SOS.  I'm at a very very low point emotionally currently. It seems just as things were settled and semi-calm....something new decides 'Hey....fuck you!' and kicks sand in your suit. The easiest way for me to organize this mess is, as always, short, choppy thoughts.

Thought #1:

What.The.Fuck.  Why does this have to happen now? We could have gone on, just fine, with things at their current pace

Thought#2:

Why on earth can't I decide what to do?! I've never been this weak before. If I don't decide, they're happy. If I do decide, they're unhappy. 

Thought#3:

Why can't they just let me grow up? I'm their kid, true, but I should be allowed to make a choice without feeling emotionally blackmailed!

Thought#4:

I could do it. I could just leave......but I can't. I already have no money, no job, no visible means of support. Anything I do have to help is here. I'm trapped by my position.

Thought#5:

There has to be someone else I can talk to....everyone available is related/knows us. And I always get pro-family rhetoric, anti-boyfriend talk. I want a balance of both, not the moral majority down my throat.

Thought#6:

I. AM. NOT. TOO.YOUNG. I was old enough to be 'let loose' into university on my own. Old enough to decide when to go to a party and when to study. Old enough to mess up my academic record on my own. Old enough to be let alone with *gasp* boys. Old enough to vote, be sued, pay bills, sign contracts, get sent to bill collectors. Old enough to have sex with a guy. Old enough to be allowed to 'destroy my life'....but clearly not old enough to be trusted to clean up the messes? I'm pretty sure I've done more living in one year than a lot of people can say. I am smart enough to decide these things, and young enough to fix them. So in the most plain and immature way I can think of saying it:

"LEAVE ME ALONE!"

Okay...those are pretty accurate. And, I can say I feel better. I'm sure I'll think of other things but for now...this is exactly how I feel.

Cue Mood Swing #5,000,000,000

Do you know what's fun? Going back through old email accounts and web pages you had forgotten you created.  After searching through your memory, you foggily recover all the details to access your account.  Unlocking that password is like looking into a forgotten vault. The treasures of your past are all there, just a bit dusty, a bit rusty, and still as solid as ever.

Do you know what's painful? Going back through old email accounts and web pages you had forgotten you created. :(

I have such an internet attention deficit, it's a wonder I don't have more junk scattered throughout than I already do.

It is also a wonder that pregnancy brain, where I'm supposed to forget things, actually makes me remember more vividly all the past. The only difference I guess is the inability to form a coherent thought. At least for very long.

Sure, high school pretty much blows. Unless you have a stick-to-it group of friends who understand you and are just as wacked out as you....college will be your savior :P

I think, the best parts of anything are the first year. Some may be inclined to disagree, but for me personally my best years were Freshman year of high school, Freshman year of college, the first year I did POTP, the first year in choir....all firsts. All untainted by the suckage of time.

You don't really think of your friends as having last names unless the name is part of a nickname or joke. All my college friends I know only by their last names.  But they're brand new. And they're all army friends, so the last name thing makes sense.

I almost cried when I realized I had forgotten my  old friend's last name. I had seen her only a year and a half ago.  We had graduated only a year and a half ago, nearly 2 years now.

I honestly forgot her last name. That is the strangest thing in the whole world. 

I feel so awful for it. I know we were all supposed to be long time buddies but now it's not like that at all. Not that I expected perfect communication, oh no. College was sure to erase some of the ties between us, but I don't want to forget them already. I can't forget their names.

Once Upon a Time...

Any story that starts like that has got to be good, right? Ha, not always true. This has been for the most part, a blog about my observations of the people on my campus. Things have shifted directions.....drastically. Let's see, where shall I begin? I guess the best idea would be to list all my 'specs.' Here goes...

I'm 19 years old.

This is baby numero uno.

I'm at about 23-24 weeks (though they say 26, I think it's just the growth is so rapid.)

What else,what else?....oh yeah. I was a virgin when I got pregnant. Literally. Still 'intact' and all that jazz. Science is a funny thing.

[Har-har. I'm science....] 

Currently, I've been yanked out of my old university, stuck attending school at the community college, and I'm quite possibly as miserable and misdirected as can be.

The only thing keeping me from going absolutely ga-ga (as in insane, not dressing in leotards) is getting to talk to my wonderful and understanding boyfriend, and you, internet! :)

I think the best way to keep on top of things for now will be to record my thoughts in this blog, formerly employed to record my snarky and sarcastic observations of my *ugh*peers. No guarantee on it lacking any of the aformentioned sarcasm.

I'm certain, at any point various people who may be reading this will become alarmed at the tone I take on certain topics such as:

*Fun with various illnesses

*Fear and Loathing in La Familia

*Wonder what this food does....

And, my personal favorite,

* How late is too late for abortion?

So, regardless of your persuasions this is about me. This is mine all mine, the one thing I can complain to that doesn't try to give me advice or get personally offended. And, like most blogs, audience participation is encouraged!*cue laugh track*

..............................

.....but seriously, it would be nice every so often to get an opinion from someone who doesn't live in the same house. People get kind of testy after you empty their fridge for the third night in a row. You get the pleasure of an entertaining, hormonal, pregnant trainwreck without the burden of a massive food bill and a water logged couch after crying over puppy commercials(seriously, that's what they WANT you to do). 

Potpourri

Sometimes.....it's easier to process what I'm thinking in a series of images and sounds....that, and I'm currently at a loss considering how little time I've had lately to come up with something worthwhile. Instead, here is a glimpse into my mind. Don't you feel powerful?

An Honest Mistake-The Bravery

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8vzbezVru4

Lolita-Elefant

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UC8q_1ud7tA

Ride on Shooting Star- The Pillows

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9rrVZIlpJA

The Real Folk Blues- The Seatbelts

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BQs9onayvU

Lithium Flower- Scott Matthew

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znoIgkRxCwU

Gold Lion- Yeah Yeah Yeahs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMMkP_ofpXg

Smile Like You Mean It- The Killers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1p_NHFd8jM

Mixtape-Jack's Mannequin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXkYFkTIEXw

Crooked Teeth- Death Cab for Cutie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CydL91xZak

Ta-Da.

Here Comes the Sun...

{WARNING: SOME CONTENT NSFW (Not Safe for Work) A.K.A some photos are a little 'revealing' }


*I suppose at some point what  I post has to become more positive, less caustic, less of a critique of what I see. I mean, you can't be judgmental all the time, can you? Seems that's the direction I'm headed towards. Best of luck to those of you willing to follow me. :P*

At any rate, spring has come to campus, and with it all the vestiges of warmth, sunlight, and people with a serious lack of clothing.  I for one can appreciate the sunny skies and lack of heavy sweaters as much as the next person. However, I believe the sort of apparel as shown in beach photos or the one above are good for just that, the beach, not a college campus. 

"Yes, I understand you have an urgency in getting the most tan the fastest, after all, summer is only 2 and 1/2 months away."

"No, I don't think wearing a bathing suit you'd be afraid to show in front of your gynecologist is exactly proper attire for a campus lawn."

While I merrily type away, at this very moment, some girl, somewhere on campus is contemplating if the suit she bought online is too 'Brazilian' for the laying out on the green or if it will give her awkward tan lines. Not thinking about the possibility of perverts. Not thinking about how skin damage probability increases exponentially in relation to relative size of suit

EXHIBIT A:

"The One Piece"

This is cute, safe, and fun.

EXHIBIT B:

"The tankini"

A little more revealing, however still very tasteful and adorable

EXHIBIT C:

"The bikini" 

This, ladies, is better for  the beach. I understand you think wearing just the top with shorts is fine, but please keep in mind that for every girl thinking, "Cute suit" there are at least three guys thinking, "Cute suit...looks better on the ground." Be careful :P

EXHIBIT D:

" Pay-per-view"

Or, more fondly referred to as 'stripper ware'

*These may not represent all the possible ranges of suits, however they certainly have been seen in all sizes and colors on my campus. (Yes. Every. Single. One. Pity me.)*

The point I'm trying to make is perhaps, even if you are a young college person and it's a nice day, that's no excuse for not practicing a little discretion and respecting yourself and those around you.It's not always just us kids on campus, it's walked by teachers, family members, moms and dads, little siblings, government workers, religious personnel, people of community importance. They all care about us, and want us to succeed and not give off an appearance that suggests otherwise.

*Enjoy the day, lay out in the sun, but don't put yourself at health or severe social image risk by what you wear. Prove who you are and what you stand for by what you say or how you act (hopefully, a little less Jenna Jameson).*

Wonderboy

Oh, you....

Boys with guitars. Is there some rule somewhere that says no matter how dorky the boy (or the song) some girl, somewhere will swoon over him? I mean, yes, at times it can be very annoying to see that same kid in the tattered hoodie sitting on the lawn outside your dorm, singing like a parrot in a blender. But it's not always like that, there are some real gems of male musicians on every campus.

In my experience there are four classifications of what my male friends lovingly refer to as "acoustic guitar douches" or the "acoustadouche" (ah-coo-stah-doosh) if you will.

1) The guy who looks like Mclovin' and sounds like the aforementioned parrot: squawking, flat, and often painful to watch .

2) The guy who is a little more homely than the rest, but he actually has a semi-decent voice. The only reason he hasn't cut a record deal is he looks more like Glen Hansard than John Mayer.

(see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Once_(film))

3) There's the attention whore acoustadouche. He looks like Nick Jonas, never without a slouchy beanie even in 80 degree weather. He's in it purely for the ladies and plays the same two songs over and over, steadily growing louder with each repetition.

4) This guy has it all. Looks, repertoire, and a friendly attitude to boot. The only reason this guy (and possibly his friend on the bongos) hasn't been signed is because he plays purely for his own entertainment and would much rather finish art school first to design his own music label with his close knit group of equally artsy friends.

How can you tell the genuine from the Jonas? Your best bet is to take a look, listen...and you'll figure it out soon enough.

I Love College

The Agenda:

Well, firstly, and most importantly is something that has been bothering me

(Theodore Geisel eat your heart out :P)

Basically it's like this:

1) Animal Collective exists

and

2) People actually buy them

and finally,

3)Music critics have obviously left the car running with the windows up, garage door down

Now, I have nothing against Animal Collective, oh no. I think it's fine for a group of indie hipster musicians to groove. It's neat-o to show what they think of life, love, and what have you through catchy little songs with titles like 'In the Flowers' or 'My Girls'. I have just one complaint:

I refuse to suck their metaphorical, indie/hipster cock.

I understand the current wave on college campuses (especially mine) is being into hipster bands, plaid shirts, leggings, shoes your grandmother wore,and mod/surf bum hair. These are the kids that are 'hip' enough to say "Hey, I like Lady Gaga and Wyclef Jean" or "Kanye's last album wasn't that bad, but Oracular Spectacular is my go-to mix!". Sure, I'll grant there are a few genuine ones out there, folks who have toiled relentlessly to avoid any corporate taint, who live the hippie philosophy of their parents and dream of the day when they own their very own music label or free trade coffee shop, or any number of other bohemian dreams. However, I find it appalling to see swarms and swarms of people flaunting the 'Williamsburg' look. They buy their American Apparel basics, grab a few hundred dollars in ratty accessories from the local Salvation Army, strap on the ipod, and strut like they're ignoring the world through those huge wayfarers of theirs. 

Am I missing something here?  Is it just me, or does spending gobs of cash to look like you don't have gobs of cash defeat your message? I'm pretty sure Steve Jobs won't lose sleep at night if you rally against 'the man' and yet spend every cent you get downloading music from 'the man' to fuel your hypocrisy.

And another note, ladies, would you please quit having random ass household appliances tattooed on your body? You're not being postmodern, unless it truly has a purpose, you're being a dumbass, and showing everyone who sees that eggbeater on your wrist that you're a total trendwhore.

I'm not totally guiltless when it comes to all this indie hipster fever. I too own a substantial scarf collection, I value my updated mp3 player, and the only way to get me to stop buying sunglasses is to make them illegal. But my point is I know I'm just cashing in on what's cool now, along with things I genuinely like. I also know not to take it seriously, because like any other trend this one will come and go. All those basement parties you went to stuffed in a 60s shift dress, sipping pabst and awkwardly staring at guy who looks like Paul Bunyon in a suit will be a distant memory.

So, where does this leave you? What's your opinion on all this craziness? Love it, Love to hate it, or just hate it? Do you lick the ground Ben Gibbard slouches across? Or do you shoot water out your nose in fury anytime Arcade Fire is uttered anywhere near the words "good" and "band"?

I'm a curious little cat :)

ZOMG

Wowie-zowie.

Isn't this all kinds of fun? You know, I've been stalking, erm, browsing through several different blogs, and it's funny to think how few of the people who write them are my age. Most are 'media critics' or 'media professionals' who want a spiffy way to get noticed. Who are looking to seem 'with it', latching onto a way to network. You've got blogs about sports teams, cooking, Music, a helluva lot of Chinese/Spanish ones, and hundreds if not thousands of, you guessed it...blogs about blogs. Isn't that just Tropic Thunder-esque.(if you have no bloody clue what I'm talking about see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Story_within_a_story)

I find it kind of idiotic that some people get traffic and get their blog noticed by writing about what they're writing about. Kind of seems like it's cheating the system, like the way Jon Stewart thumbs his nose at mainstream media, and yet there he is, getting as much, if not more, recognition than most 'real' journalist.(Tangent FTW)

But I digress. I guess the whole point of going at these 'advanced communication distribution channels' (a.k.a the interwebz) is because people think they have something worth saying, something that people want to hear, need to hear, crave to know.

Spoiler Alert:

Not really.

Even I am not beyond recognizing this will more than likely be a futile attempt to keep track of...well, whatever nonsense I happen to spew from my filth orifice to my sludge computing devices. ( I bet I really lost some folks there) Basically, blog people, stop taking yourselves so seriously. Nothing you say can be that important if you're willing to let hundreds or thousands (if you're lucky) of unfiltered, unadulterated eyeballs slink onto your page and tear apart every single particle you happen to type. Anything worth saying is worth putting into responsible text.

Blogs on the internet are like those 'abstract' paintings you did in high school. Telling yourself people just don't 'appreciate your vision' does not mean you are a misunderstood artist. It means you haven't sold your shitty paintings the right way, to the right people. With enough useless gesticulation and novelty any Jackson Pollock wannabe can be...well...Jackson Pollock.

It just goes to show, it's not what you say, it's how you say it.

However, my macaroni sculptures are priceless ;)

So, I have therefore decided to throw my proverbial hat into the ring (waste of a good hat if you ask me). I will be bringing you an onslaught of useless rants, useful rants, random facts, calculated information, crying, explosive diarrhea,indie hipsters to beat up, a giant hamster bubble,and maybe some fun tidbit you can recount to your friends like you thought of it all by yourself (how cute :3).