I have just returned from a quest through the dictionary to define a quirk. I know the definition of a quirk. In fact, I am endeared to people for their quirks. I am simply in search of a way to explain quirks that adequately conveys how I feel about them. The fruits of my labor are as follows:
Quirk – A peculiarity
My first thoughts were of the negative stereotype that accompanies the root word peculiar. As in odd, strange, and creepy even. How wrong this stereotype is.
Peculiar – Of only one person; special; not general
General is what is expected. I am not impressed with the general world today. People are rude. People are fake. People are stupid. I am attracted to those that are not general. Not until thinking about it did I realize thoughtfulness, sincerity, and common sense are peculiarities. I appreciate each of these traits in someone, they set that person apart. Quirks are of only one person; each individual has their own. Quirks are a fearless expression of self. I find genuineness admirable. It is refreshing to experience someone childish and ridiculous. Silliness should not be looked down on. So what if someone skips around everywhere for no reason, adds animated hand gestures to everything they say, or is way too hard on their self. Quirks are special in that they make someone the person they are.
Special – Eeceptional; highly valued
I highly value people who are quirky and peculiar. The world could definitely stand to learn something from them. Thoughtful gestures aren’t exactly something you encounter too much these days. I think that’s sad. If you can’t smile at a stranger or reach out and touch someone you care about, you definitely need to slow down and learn that’s it the small stuff that matters. Someone surprising you with something small that you’ll love means so much, I think. A picture they’ve colored, a cheap something that holds personal meaning, or a simple handwritten note that makes you laugh. An unexpected, inexpensive gift means more than an expensive gift purchased for a certain holiday or occasion.
Most people that I consider my closest friends are everything I have described above. They are exceptional. Their quirks are my favorite. I don’t “put up” with them. I love and accept them for everything they are. And they do the same for me.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Earth
Honestly, I don’t normally go out of my way to be green. I don’t recycle. I don’t use fluorescent light bulbs. I definitely just use the plastic grocery bags provided at the store and don’t plan on riding my bike anywhere as long as I have a functioning vehicle. I believe it is of the utmost importance to take care of our Earth, yet my actions do not match that belief. I am not proud to say that, yet I am not afraid to either. I don’t feel I do anything overly harmful to our planet, but I would like to change to become more conscientious of the impact I have on the world I live in. I would like to be more “green.” There is such a variation in attitudes concerning this subject and I think it’s about time everyone moved to the same page. And even though I am not some crazed environmentalist that constantly frets over the state of the world’s ecosystem, I am a concerned citizen.
This blog entry is prompted by the recent oil spill off the Gulf of Mexico. I am legitimately saddened by this ongoing situation. Not only that, but I am disappointed in the way all of the companies and officials involved didn’t care enough to prepare and have reacted to such an occurrence. I was reading the paper one morning last week, specifically an article about the oil spill. This article stated that two years ago there was a change in the contract for the oil companies which did not require them to have a plan of action in case of an emergency exactly like the one that continues to unfold today. I think that’s ridiculous. Who would ever think it was okay to not have a plan for a catastrophe of such magnitude? It’s just stupid to assume something like this would never happen, as unlikely as it may have seemed. Because it’s not like we’re talking about a little accident that can be cleaned up and forgotten here. An entire ocean is being affected. Over two hundred thousand gallons of crude oil is being released each day, and it’s been weeks since this began. Various attempts to stop the leak have failed. Were there not signs of an impending problem this serious and no one bothered to report them? If so, that’s shameful.
The impacts of this explosion are tragic and could have possibly been avoided. The ocean is not just some insignificant body of water. Incredible amounts of species call the ocean and its’ surrounding area home. It is our responsibility to preserve the home of these species and we have failed. Sea animals and sea life are struggling and dying because some of us are too ignorant to realize our dependence on their home. Thousands of humans, including fisherman, rely on the ocean for their livelihood. The entire gulf coast relies on the ocean because of tourism and the amount of money that puts into their local economy. Businesses and restaurants from everywhere depend on the sea food imported to them from the affected area. A delicate balance has been upset. If we do not treat our resources with the respect they deserve, they do not provide for us.
I think this incident is a huge eye opener for oil companies and regular citizens alike. Our Earth is not just something to be used for our own benefit. There are consequences to our actions. Resources are available to provide for the inhabitants of the world, not to be taken advantage of as dispensable and not deserving of care. This is the only home we’ve got. And it is necessary that we make it last. Incidents like this one cannot keep happening if we hope to make that statement come true. We have to take care of our precious planet. So, starting small or starting big, it doesn’t really matter. It just matters that we all start.
This blog entry is prompted by the recent oil spill off the Gulf of Mexico. I am legitimately saddened by this ongoing situation. Not only that, but I am disappointed in the way all of the companies and officials involved didn’t care enough to prepare and have reacted to such an occurrence. I was reading the paper one morning last week, specifically an article about the oil spill. This article stated that two years ago there was a change in the contract for the oil companies which did not require them to have a plan of action in case of an emergency exactly like the one that continues to unfold today. I think that’s ridiculous. Who would ever think it was okay to not have a plan for a catastrophe of such magnitude? It’s just stupid to assume something like this would never happen, as unlikely as it may have seemed. Because it’s not like we’re talking about a little accident that can be cleaned up and forgotten here. An entire ocean is being affected. Over two hundred thousand gallons of crude oil is being released each day, and it’s been weeks since this began. Various attempts to stop the leak have failed. Were there not signs of an impending problem this serious and no one bothered to report them? If so, that’s shameful.
The impacts of this explosion are tragic and could have possibly been avoided. The ocean is not just some insignificant body of water. Incredible amounts of species call the ocean and its’ surrounding area home. It is our responsibility to preserve the home of these species and we have failed. Sea animals and sea life are struggling and dying because some of us are too ignorant to realize our dependence on their home. Thousands of humans, including fisherman, rely on the ocean for their livelihood. The entire gulf coast relies on the ocean because of tourism and the amount of money that puts into their local economy. Businesses and restaurants from everywhere depend on the sea food imported to them from the affected area. A delicate balance has been upset. If we do not treat our resources with the respect they deserve, they do not provide for us.
I think this incident is a huge eye opener for oil companies and regular citizens alike. Our Earth is not just something to be used for our own benefit. There are consequences to our actions. Resources are available to provide for the inhabitants of the world, not to be taken advantage of as dispensable and not deserving of care. This is the only home we’ve got. And it is necessary that we make it last. Incidents like this one cannot keep happening if we hope to make that statement come true. We have to take care of our precious planet. So, starting small or starting big, it doesn’t really matter. It just matters that we all start.
Beards, Intelligence, and Lady Gaga
Let me throw out a hypothetical situation here. Say we’re on the bypass. I’m in my car. You’re in your car. We’re cruisin’ along. Guess what? I CAN SEE YOU. It has come to my attention that most of the driving population is under the impression that their vehicle functions as a sort of invisibility cloak. How wrong the driving population is. There are just some activities not meant to be performed behind the wheel. I’ve decided to compile a list of these said activities, all of which I have personally witnessed, written as a shout out to the driving population.
We Can Still See You (By We, I Mean Intelligent People, Who Realize That Windows Are Transparent)
1. Beard Trimming
Once upon a time I saw a man shaving his face in his rearview mirror. Your eyes should be focused on the road in front of you, not the hairs of your chinny chin chin.
2. Reading
If you are interested in expanding your knowledge of literature, increasing the amount of time you spend reading for leisure, or catching up on the latest addition to your book club, the place to do that is home. You’ve heard don’t drink and drive. It’s sad you need to be told not to read and drive as well. Gee people.
3. Picking Your Nose
First, nose picking is unacceptable. I don’t care who you are or where you are. Not. Acceptable. Second, no one wants to see you going to town picking the day away as they drive past you. Seriously. This just drives me up a wall and out a window. Is that not embarrassing? Because it’s gross. YUCKY.
4. Applying Eyeliner
Alright. I don’t know if this is just me, but driving + applying eyeliner = possible emergency room visit if you ask me. All I envision is some abrupt braking resulting in some major eye pain. Eyeliner is meant to be worn around your eye, not impaled halfway through it.
5. Singing and Such
Belting out the lyrics to the latest Lady Gaga song at maximum volume while flailing your arms and shaking your head to the beat like there’s no tomorrow just isn’t cute. There’s this little thing called control. You should look into it.
6. Kissing
There’s such a thing as quick little kiss, which is totally fine in most situations. And then there’s the kissing I happen to referencing right now. I won’t go into details. But. A stoplight is definitely not the place. And all I have to say about that is no. Just, no.
We Can Still See You (By We, I Mean Intelligent People, Who Realize That Windows Are Transparent)
1. Beard Trimming
Once upon a time I saw a man shaving his face in his rearview mirror. Your eyes should be focused on the road in front of you, not the hairs of your chinny chin chin.
2. Reading
If you are interested in expanding your knowledge of literature, increasing the amount of time you spend reading for leisure, or catching up on the latest addition to your book club, the place to do that is home. You’ve heard don’t drink and drive. It’s sad you need to be told not to read and drive as well. Gee people.
3. Picking Your Nose
First, nose picking is unacceptable. I don’t care who you are or where you are. Not. Acceptable. Second, no one wants to see you going to town picking the day away as they drive past you. Seriously. This just drives me up a wall and out a window. Is that not embarrassing? Because it’s gross. YUCKY.
4. Applying Eyeliner
Alright. I don’t know if this is just me, but driving + applying eyeliner = possible emergency room visit if you ask me. All I envision is some abrupt braking resulting in some major eye pain. Eyeliner is meant to be worn around your eye, not impaled halfway through it.
5. Singing and Such
Belting out the lyrics to the latest Lady Gaga song at maximum volume while flailing your arms and shaking your head to the beat like there’s no tomorrow just isn’t cute. There’s this little thing called control. You should look into it.
6. Kissing
There’s such a thing as quick little kiss, which is totally fine in most situations. And then there’s the kissing I happen to referencing right now. I won’t go into details. But. A stoplight is definitely not the place. And all I have to say about that is no. Just, no.
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