Smitten, I returned home humming a little tune. My eyes were nearly closed and my mind was up in the clouds. Quickly, I unlocked the door, eager to give my children a little treat. Walking in, I noticed the unusually quiet atmosphere of the hallway. I rounded into the kitchen, practically singing at this point and unpacked the food. I took out the lo mien I'd bought for myself and started dancing to the song in my head.
As ridiculous as I probably looked, my polka dot socks slid across the floor with pride as a noodle dangled out of my mouth. I grabbed a broom and did a little sashay with it around the living room. Excited, I pulled up the song on the television. I'd forgotten the name and had to look up the lyric I remembered, but after a few minutes, I found it. Blasting it, I took hold of my broom partner and waltzed around with it in my arms. Lost in my thoughts, it took me a moment to hear the slow claps coming from the door frame.
Gora stood there, munching on some of my lo mien.
"Meet someone?" he asked, chuckling to himself.
Putting the broom back, I felt my face flush. I coughed, "Where's your sister?"
He groaned, "While you were out flirting, Couro's decided she needs straight hair."
My heart sank. My poor baby girl already had body issues rooted deep in her. I thought she loved her hair, and now she was going to change it. Glancing up at Gora, I caught sight of his smug, accomplished look.
"Gora, you did this," I accused. The boy looked at me, barely stifling a laugh. "What did you do to Couro?"
"Nothing," he singsonged. "Just tested her self-confidence, is all." My eyes widened and he couldn't handle it, he bent over and started laughing. Through it, he couldn't hear any of my angry murmurings. Once he calmed himself, he looked at me and shrugged, "Guess she failed." Oh, so satisfied, the mischievous child made his way up to his room. I tailed him as Couro's room was right next to his.
I opened the door to a small, carpeted room. There were stains on it from instances when Couro was younger, and everything was fuzzy, pink, or both. Dozens of stuffed animals filled the room and cutesy dresses littered the floor. I saw everything, posters, book, her cradle--except Couro.
Swallowing, I could feel my breathing quicken into short gasps. My heart raced thinking about all the possibilities. What if she ruined her hair? What if she got relaxer or an iron and burned herself? Or a razor or scissors and cuts herself?
Frantically, I burst into Couro and Gora's bathroom--nothing. Then all the guest bathrooms--nothing. Lastly, mine. To my relief, there she sat, attempting to comb her hair.
Staring at the unused pair of scissors that were stationed beside some pink oil, I wheezed, "Couro, what are you doing?"
"Trying to fix my hair," she replied, her eyes unwavering from her reflection. "If the dolls can't look like me, then I'll just look like them."
I sighed, "Couro..."
Just a young turtle, hatching out of her shell.
Saturday, June 29, 2019
Second Lovely
The next day, I was buzzing around the mall. I made Gora babysit his sister as punishment while I went out to shop for a small present for her. As focused as I was, I wasn't too proud of my position. While I had no problem taking Couro doll-shopping, searching for them alone was slightly humiliating. I could feel and see judgmental eyes watching me as I cluelessly inspected dolls for little girls. Still, Couro needed it and I reminded myself that the strangers watching me would never be relevant in my life. So, I fought on and carefully judged each doll, trying to find the chubbiest one I could find.
Two hours into my journey, I struggled to find a doll with skin that even matched hers. I was getting somewhat frustrated, and I heard a small, faint laughter behind me. Pausing, I waited for the source of the laughter to walk up to me.
"Are you alright?" A tall, thinly-framed woman chimed. Relatively attractive with glowing blue eyes and thin pink lips. She was dressed relatively casually but with certain accents such as an infinity scarf or statement hoop earrings. A strand of long black hair reached down to her upper thigh while the rest was bunched together loosely behind her head. "Excuse me, sir?" she called, helping me realize I'd gotten distracted staring. Shaking my head, I scoffed and blinked. She smiled, "I asked if you're alright."
Nodding, I put the doll down. "Yeah, just...yeah." For a minute, neither of us said anything, before I suddenly became worried of the impression I'd made on her. "I don't play with dolls though. It's for a girl. A child girl...yeah."
Looking over at the doll I put down, she asked, "A niece? Younger sister?"
"Um...my daughter." Again, she said nothing and a mini fit of paranoia fizzled inside of me. "I-I'm not married. Technically. We don't live together. Actually, we kinda do? No, that's not right. She...I mean, she's not like that. I'm--"
"Single?"
I opened my mouth, considering telling her about Kutu, before just murmuring, "...Yeah."
"Good to know." Searching her face, I desperately looked for a sign of interest or irritation. Both came up empty. "You've been going back and forth in this section for a while. Are you looking for something specific?"
"Uh, yeah. I need a chubby, African American doll."
Her lips curved into a frown, "Well...you won't find that here. Unless you'll settle for curvy." My shoulders dropped, somewhat defeated. "I used to collect dolls however," she piped in, "and I should own one just like that."
"Really?"
"Yeah," she nodded and we drifted out the store as she continued, "I know I sound like a sales clerk, I just...really know my dolls. A little something I pick up in grade school and I held onto it much longer than anyone really expected."
"Sounds interesting." Beside the store, I saw a Chinese place and headed towards it, "I need to pick up food."
Simply, she nodded and tailed, "Still, to this day, I could talk for hours about dolls."
"...Why don't you? I could listen," I blurted out. The woman beside me stopped, waiting for what I'd say next. "...But, I'd need a way to contact you later on. I really should get back to Couro and Gora."
To my surprise, she pulls out her phone and asks, "Your children?"
"A sixteen-year-old boy and an eight-year-old girl." I showed her a picture of the two at a town festival a year earlier. "Couro's who the doll's for."
"Are you trying to make it look like her?"
"Couro has certain issues with her body," I sighed as we reached the front of the line. Quickly, I made my order before turning to her and continuing, "She really likes dolls so I'm hoping this will help make a special connection for her." Watching her face, I saw it morph into something that looked like amazement.
"...You're so kind to them," she gasped. "I couldn't do that, not for something that needs so much."
"It's not hard, really," I shrugged. "Especially when you realize that you probably caused their issues."
"How could you cause something so serious?" On instinct, I almost told her. But then I bit my tongue and stared at a near by wall. "Elaborate."
"Well," I trickled out, "ever since she was four, Couro had always just naturally put on more weight than Gora and I. Worried, I had completely ignored the possible effects it would have on her and I took her to the doctor."
She shook her head, "That's a completely healthy thing to do."
"Not the way I handled it," I muttered, ashamed as I recalled my terrible in-moment decisions. "I must've put it in her head that...that fat was bad. And she's not fat, really. Couro's of a healthy weight she just has baby fat. But I had to go and try and be rid of it on the basis that Gora grew up different." Embarrassed to look up, I kept my head down and picked up my food.
"...That's a stretch. I get you feel guilty but, calm down. No one's blaming you." A small hand placed itself on my upper arm. "Whenever you're free, I'll come over with the doll and Couro will be more than okay."
I looked up at her, she smiled and handed me my phone. "Thank you." I looked at the contact and only saw 'doll date' as the name. "Also, I never got your name," I said, fighting a laugh.
"Nicki," she sang. "Nicolette Rouselle."
"Samba Miske." Planning to shake her hand, I lifted my arm. But before I could reach for her hands, she wrapped her arms around me and squeezed. As though nothing had happened, she let go, excitedly waved at me and then skipped away. Flustered, I called after her, "I'll text you, Nicki!"
Two hours into my journey, I struggled to find a doll with skin that even matched hers. I was getting somewhat frustrated, and I heard a small, faint laughter behind me. Pausing, I waited for the source of the laughter to walk up to me.
"Are you alright?" A tall, thinly-framed woman chimed. Relatively attractive with glowing blue eyes and thin pink lips. She was dressed relatively casually but with certain accents such as an infinity scarf or statement hoop earrings. A strand of long black hair reached down to her upper thigh while the rest was bunched together loosely behind her head. "Excuse me, sir?" she called, helping me realize I'd gotten distracted staring. Shaking my head, I scoffed and blinked. She smiled, "I asked if you're alright."
Nodding, I put the doll down. "Yeah, just...yeah." For a minute, neither of us said anything, before I suddenly became worried of the impression I'd made on her. "I don't play with dolls though. It's for a girl. A child girl...yeah."
Looking over at the doll I put down, she asked, "A niece? Younger sister?"
"Um...my daughter." Again, she said nothing and a mini fit of paranoia fizzled inside of me. "I-I'm not married. Technically. We don't live together. Actually, we kinda do? No, that's not right. She...I mean, she's not like that. I'm--"
"Single?"
I opened my mouth, considering telling her about Kutu, before just murmuring, "...Yeah."
"Good to know." Searching her face, I desperately looked for a sign of interest or irritation. Both came up empty. "You've been going back and forth in this section for a while. Are you looking for something specific?"
"Uh, yeah. I need a chubby, African American doll."
Her lips curved into a frown, "Well...you won't find that here. Unless you'll settle for curvy." My shoulders dropped, somewhat defeated. "I used to collect dolls however," she piped in, "and I should own one just like that."
"Really?"
"Yeah," she nodded and we drifted out the store as she continued, "I know I sound like a sales clerk, I just...really know my dolls. A little something I pick up in grade school and I held onto it much longer than anyone really expected."
"Sounds interesting." Beside the store, I saw a Chinese place and headed towards it, "I need to pick up food."
Simply, she nodded and tailed, "Still, to this day, I could talk for hours about dolls."
"...Why don't you? I could listen," I blurted out. The woman beside me stopped, waiting for what I'd say next. "...But, I'd need a way to contact you later on. I really should get back to Couro and Gora."
To my surprise, she pulls out her phone and asks, "Your children?"
"A sixteen-year-old boy and an eight-year-old girl." I showed her a picture of the two at a town festival a year earlier. "Couro's who the doll's for."
"Are you trying to make it look like her?"
"Couro has certain issues with her body," I sighed as we reached the front of the line. Quickly, I made my order before turning to her and continuing, "She really likes dolls so I'm hoping this will help make a special connection for her." Watching her face, I saw it morph into something that looked like amazement.
"...You're so kind to them," she gasped. "I couldn't do that, not for something that needs so much."
"It's not hard, really," I shrugged. "Especially when you realize that you probably caused their issues."
"How could you cause something so serious?" On instinct, I almost told her. But then I bit my tongue and stared at a near by wall. "Elaborate."
"Well," I trickled out, "ever since she was four, Couro had always just naturally put on more weight than Gora and I. Worried, I had completely ignored the possible effects it would have on her and I took her to the doctor."
She shook her head, "That's a completely healthy thing to do."
"Not the way I handled it," I muttered, ashamed as I recalled my terrible in-moment decisions. "I must've put it in her head that...that fat was bad. And she's not fat, really. Couro's of a healthy weight she just has baby fat. But I had to go and try and be rid of it on the basis that Gora grew up different." Embarrassed to look up, I kept my head down and picked up my food.
"...That's a stretch. I get you feel guilty but, calm down. No one's blaming you." A small hand placed itself on my upper arm. "Whenever you're free, I'll come over with the doll and Couro will be more than okay."
I looked up at her, she smiled and handed me my phone. "Thank you." I looked at the contact and only saw 'doll date' as the name. "Also, I never got your name," I said, fighting a laugh.
"Nicki," she sang. "Nicolette Rouselle."
"Samba Miske." Planning to shake her hand, I lifted my arm. But before I could reach for her hands, she wrapped her arms around me and squeezed. As though nothing had happened, she let go, excitedly waved at me and then skipped away. Flustered, I called after her, "I'll text you, Nicki!"
Friday, June 28, 2019
10 Facts About The Amazon River
Residing in northern South America and cutting through the countries of Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Suriname, Guyana, French Guiana and Bolivia, the Amazon River is one of the longest, mightiest, and deadliest rivers in the entire world.
- Despite debate over it, most people believe the Amazon's source to be in Peru's Andean Mountains.
- Up until around fifteen million years ago, the Amazon river flowed out into the pacific. The Andean Mountains were then created and it took the Amazon another five million years before it finally started trickling into the Atlantic.
- 20% of the world's freshwater ends up in the Atlantic through the Amazon.
- The Amazon doesn't form a delta due to the unusually turbulent nature of the Atlantic.
- Though nearly suffering a heart attack, Martin Strel swam the whole 3,274 miles of the Amazon River in 66 days on April 8th, 2007.
- In some studies, the Amazon River is considered to actually be 4,225 miles long, making it longer than the Nile, which is stretches 4,160 miles.
- Certain parts of the river are too wide for a person to stand on the banks and see the other side. Its width varies among varying parts of the river and during different times of the year. During the drier seasons, it's between one and six miles, but during the wet season it can reach up to thirty.
- The Amazon river inhabits the most diverse ecosystem than any other river in the world.
- The forests surrounding the Amazon spreads across 1.4 billion acres of land, containing over half of the world's remaining tropical forests.
- The Amazon Basin is about 2.6 square miles, 40% of South America.
Fairly Odd Movie Review
Okay so.
(Spoilers.)
Originally, I was going to review Tough Puppy. But, my resources are very limited and I wasn't able to find a full episode of it. So, I did the Fairly Odd Movie. Which is why this is a day late. I'll still put up Friday Facts, just a little bit later than usual.
So anyhow, onto the movie.
Released July 9, 2011, and directed by Savage Steve Holland, the movie is set 13 years after the main series, in which Timmy is 10. Which, should set the movie in 2015/2016 as Timmy's official birthday is March 21st, 1992. The main series, taking place in 2002/2003, Timmy is a fifth grader with fairy god parents because the authority figures in his life either cannot care for him or don't try to. The rules state that once Timmy grows up, he will forget his god parents and they'll return to Fairy World. Alright, makes sense. But then Timmy decides, what if he never grows up? Physically and legally, impossible. So you'd think the rules would be based off of when he's physically/legally an adult. Instead, they decide "when he grows up, moves out, or experiences love." Okay, I can get behind the second one. He'd be on his own and free from the people in his life who made it miserable for him to need to fairies. The last one, no, I cannot. If they mean, dating-for-five-years-and-truly-trust-each-other-love, okay, maybe. But this guy meets a girl who he used to loathe and two days later(I counted), the love meter's high enough for him to lose his fairies. By that logic, kids could lose their fairies at like twelve years old, break up, and then suffer for another six years. What about Trixie??? And then "when he grows up"? He's a twenty-three-year old man! Unless they mean mentally, because that's dumb as hell.
Moving onto the actual movie, we start on Timmy's birthday. We learn he's still in school and hasn't changed at all in thirteen years. I'll let the school thing slide as he probably wished to stay in fifth grade forever. But, Poof has definitely spoken during the series, and the voice they give him at the end is just cringe worthy. No one in his life talks with that kind of dialect so why does he???? Also in this scene we receive a sexual joke, a Beyonce reference, and Timmy's parents desperately trying to get him to leave. By the way, I love the parents' constant pleas and attempts to make him grow up. However, none of the adults have changed in thirteen years? Like, they all just feel like exact live-action versions.
Continuing on, Hugh J. Magnate Jr. is giving a speech in the park, letting us all know of his obviously harmful plans for the future. And Timmy follows because, I dunno, he saw a cute girl? Even though he's set on not falling love, he just blindly chases one? Even though he's twenty-three and has definitely seen a cute girl before??? Anyways, when Tootie speaks up, the security guards go after her? It's not like she attacked him or even got up on stage, she just spoke up. And the flip, sooooo unnecessary.
Tootie then continues to chain herself to a tree to protest Magnate's plans, which is just, sigh. And Magnate orders his workers to cut down the tree anyways. A construction site must be cleared before work is to even begin! This man even alludes to having previously killed someone like this! He's insane!
Also the fairies are just out in the open way to often. I'm surprised Crocker hasn't captured them yet.
So after Timmy uses magic to help out Tootie, Magnate then gets a call from Crocker. Or rather, a clearly mentally disturbed man who tries and fails to use a voice disguiser and asks him to meet up. And he agrees. And in literal seconds, Crocker convinces an experienced businessman that fairies are what's keeping him down. And then he suddenly has time to stalk Timmy and Tootie on their date. Wasn't the plan for Magnate to pay Crocker to do this? Why's he now there? Which, by the way, I'm surprised the date even happened. This dude was obviously running away and she chased him until he finally gave in. Um...okay? Also, why exactly are Chester and AJ so hateful of Timmy. Especially AJ, he has so much potential and is so much smarter than this.
Quick notes about their date: The kite is ripped and Timmy shouldn't have been able to hold on that long. Cosmo and Wanda have been human before. And we've seen their leg/armpit hair as fairies. Timmy repeatedly uses magic in front of her. Cosmo and Wanda are strangely selfish. Why is Tootie so quick on her feet? And "Grow up, Timmy Turner!" was such a cheesy, god awful line.
Right after, Tootie continues to wear Timmy's jacket, while ranting about him. She's distracted by a bunny, which I believe turns out to be Crocker, and is then kidnapped in broad daylight. By Magnate. He takes her down to his lair and shows off his evil and insane side. There's even a little neglected child backstory sprinkled in here. Honestly, I kinda like it. But they don't go deep enough into it for me to truly enjoy it.
With Tootie and his fairies gone, Timmy now has to save everyone on his own. He admits to Chester and AJ that they exist, which should mean the end of his fairies if I correctly recall. He gets into the lair entirely way too easily, and we cut back to Magnate. He wishes his guard was in a dress to which Poof's eyes light up and his parents frantically try to cover his eyes, but he's too into it. Gay Poof??? Also, Tootie is literally the best character in this movie, I kinda hate how Timmy still has to save her from the bottomless pit. Which, Crocker is now falling in because Magnate wished him in there. Why???? You have no idea how to operate this machine, one wrong move and it's all gone and you can't fix it. Janice wisely quits her job--surprisingly without Magnate intervening, but without helping Tootie? She is going to alert the police though, right? Right?
So Timmy comes in, admits his love for Tootie, kisses her, the love meter goes off and his fairies just disappear. In what world does love make you an adult? Shouldn't Timmy immediately forget the fairies? Doesn't Jorgan have to appear to take them away??? Wouldn't he be notified about this and thus return to Fairy World and escape Vicky? Why then, is he still here? And why does Tootie tag along when Timmy is given back his fairies? By the way, bullshit on the Timmy Turner Loophole. And why is Tootie included? And she keeps calling him Timmy Turner in a weird voice, it bugs me.
The story ends with Timmy presenting their new business to Tootie. Which is just, flying around the world and granting wishes. How do they make money? Did Tootie not have a job? Will Timmy ever finish school? The van flew away in the middle of the park and no one said anything.
End scene quick notes: AJ and Chester have identical average-looking girlfriends. Timmy played them both. The parents are still amazing. Why did Crocker land in the Turners' front yard? Timmy and his fairies aren't even there anymore. If the magic disappeared then either, there should be a bottom to land on and he'd have to climb out. Or, he appears in the lair and the pit is gone. And where's his pink eye?
Ontop of everything I said, I could nitpick this even further by using information from the actual series, especially the newer series. But for now.
Sigh.
Just, sigh.
(Spoilers.)
Originally, I was going to review Tough Puppy. But, my resources are very limited and I wasn't able to find a full episode of it. So, I did the Fairly Odd Movie. Which is why this is a day late. I'll still put up Friday Facts, just a little bit later than usual.
So anyhow, onto the movie.
Released July 9, 2011, and directed by Savage Steve Holland, the movie is set 13 years after the main series, in which Timmy is 10. Which, should set the movie in 2015/2016 as Timmy's official birthday is March 21st, 1992. The main series, taking place in 2002/2003, Timmy is a fifth grader with fairy god parents because the authority figures in his life either cannot care for him or don't try to. The rules state that once Timmy grows up, he will forget his god parents and they'll return to Fairy World. Alright, makes sense. But then Timmy decides, what if he never grows up? Physically and legally, impossible. So you'd think the rules would be based off of when he's physically/legally an adult. Instead, they decide "when he grows up, moves out, or experiences love." Okay, I can get behind the second one. He'd be on his own and free from the people in his life who made it miserable for him to need to fairies. The last one, no, I cannot. If they mean, dating-for-five-years-and-truly-trust-each-other-love, okay, maybe. But this guy meets a girl who he used to loathe and two days later(I counted), the love meter's high enough for him to lose his fairies. By that logic, kids could lose their fairies at like twelve years old, break up, and then suffer for another six years. What about Trixie??? And then "when he grows up"? He's a twenty-three-year old man! Unless they mean mentally, because that's dumb as hell.
Moving onto the actual movie, we start on Timmy's birthday. We learn he's still in school and hasn't changed at all in thirteen years. I'll let the school thing slide as he probably wished to stay in fifth grade forever. But, Poof has definitely spoken during the series, and the voice they give him at the end is just cringe worthy. No one in his life talks with that kind of dialect so why does he???? Also in this scene we receive a sexual joke, a Beyonce reference, and Timmy's parents desperately trying to get him to leave. By the way, I love the parents' constant pleas and attempts to make him grow up. However, none of the adults have changed in thirteen years? Like, they all just feel like exact live-action versions.
Continuing on, Hugh J. Magnate Jr. is giving a speech in the park, letting us all know of his obviously harmful plans for the future. And Timmy follows because, I dunno, he saw a cute girl? Even though he's set on not falling love, he just blindly chases one? Even though he's twenty-three and has definitely seen a cute girl before??? Anyways, when Tootie speaks up, the security guards go after her? It's not like she attacked him or even got up on stage, she just spoke up. And the flip, sooooo unnecessary.
Tootie then continues to chain herself to a tree to protest Magnate's plans, which is just, sigh. And Magnate orders his workers to cut down the tree anyways. A construction site must be cleared before work is to even begin! This man even alludes to having previously killed someone like this! He's insane!
Also the fairies are just out in the open way to often. I'm surprised Crocker hasn't captured them yet.
So after Timmy uses magic to help out Tootie, Magnate then gets a call from Crocker. Or rather, a clearly mentally disturbed man who tries and fails to use a voice disguiser and asks him to meet up. And he agrees. And in literal seconds, Crocker convinces an experienced businessman that fairies are what's keeping him down. And then he suddenly has time to stalk Timmy and Tootie on their date. Wasn't the plan for Magnate to pay Crocker to do this? Why's he now there? Which, by the way, I'm surprised the date even happened. This dude was obviously running away and she chased him until he finally gave in. Um...okay? Also, why exactly are Chester and AJ so hateful of Timmy. Especially AJ, he has so much potential and is so much smarter than this.
Quick notes about their date: The kite is ripped and Timmy shouldn't have been able to hold on that long. Cosmo and Wanda have been human before. And we've seen their leg/armpit hair as fairies. Timmy repeatedly uses magic in front of her. Cosmo and Wanda are strangely selfish. Why is Tootie so quick on her feet? And "Grow up, Timmy Turner!" was such a cheesy, god awful line.
Right after, Tootie continues to wear Timmy's jacket, while ranting about him. She's distracted by a bunny, which I believe turns out to be Crocker, and is then kidnapped in broad daylight. By Magnate. He takes her down to his lair and shows off his evil and insane side. There's even a little neglected child backstory sprinkled in here. Honestly, I kinda like it. But they don't go deep enough into it for me to truly enjoy it.
With Tootie and his fairies gone, Timmy now has to save everyone on his own. He admits to Chester and AJ that they exist, which should mean the end of his fairies if I correctly recall. He gets into the lair entirely way too easily, and we cut back to Magnate. He wishes his guard was in a dress to which Poof's eyes light up and his parents frantically try to cover his eyes, but he's too into it. Gay Poof??? Also, Tootie is literally the best character in this movie, I kinda hate how Timmy still has to save her from the bottomless pit. Which, Crocker is now falling in because Magnate wished him in there. Why???? You have no idea how to operate this machine, one wrong move and it's all gone and you can't fix it. Janice wisely quits her job--surprisingly without Magnate intervening, but without helping Tootie? She is going to alert the police though, right? Right?
So Timmy comes in, admits his love for Tootie, kisses her, the love meter goes off and his fairies just disappear. In what world does love make you an adult? Shouldn't Timmy immediately forget the fairies? Doesn't Jorgan have to appear to take them away??? Wouldn't he be notified about this and thus return to Fairy World and escape Vicky? Why then, is he still here? And why does Tootie tag along when Timmy is given back his fairies? By the way, bullshit on the Timmy Turner Loophole. And why is Tootie included? And she keeps calling him Timmy Turner in a weird voice, it bugs me.
The story ends with Timmy presenting their new business to Tootie. Which is just, flying around the world and granting wishes. How do they make money? Did Tootie not have a job? Will Timmy ever finish school? The van flew away in the middle of the park and no one said anything.
End scene quick notes: AJ and Chester have identical average-looking girlfriends. Timmy played them both. The parents are still amazing. Why did Crocker land in the Turners' front yard? Timmy and his fairies aren't even there anymore. If the magic disappeared then either, there should be a bottom to land on and he'd have to climb out. Or, he appears in the lair and the pit is gone. And where's his pink eye?
Ontop of everything I said, I could nitpick this even further by using information from the actual series, especially the newer series. But for now.
Sigh.
Just, sigh.
Wednesday, June 26, 2019
Weather
Preferred when it’s nice.
It's whimsical,
easy, breezy.
It's what the people want--
yet,
it's more impactful and
honest when it’s cruel.
It's so helpful when it’s
seemingly unfavorable.
Lava forms islands,
storms bring good soil,
windstorms spread the seeds.
The poor clouds never get a break,
and they simply do
what they do.
Tuesday, June 25, 2019
Existing
Existing is...weird, to say the least. For as long as you can remember, you've always been there. Anything before you first opened your eyes is like a distant past. It feels like it must've been a million years ago. But for anyone in my generation, Gen Z, you straight up didn't exist just thirty years ago. And give it sixty, seventy years, and you'll simply stop.
What happens after you die? Do you imagine blackness? Everyone in pain and distressed? Honestly, we all do. Deep down, we all hope that even the moment we walk out of a room, everyone starts to miss us. But as time moves on, you'll notice only certain people miss your presence. And even then, after a while, they get over it. Life moves on--with or without you.
So then, if life has existed for hundreds of thousands of years before you, and it'll continue for hundreds of thousands without, what are you? A small speck of existence, in one tiny body, limited to only certain actions and areas.
As dreadful as this thought may seem to some people, personally, it can be calming. Honestly, it used to be scare me as well, as I convinced myself to believe this all meant I didn't matter. But--it doesn't. Depending on your definition of "matter", this means either everything matters equally as it'll all disappear, or nothing does.
Let's go with the former first, everything has its purpose and happens for a reason. Meaning every awful thing to ever happen wasn't to punish you per se, but instead to teach you a lesson and strengthen you. Every milestone in your life, good or bad, was actually a stepping stone for you to live your best life. And the better your life is, the better the lives of those around you. Just by being happier, you're laying out a path for your offspring and those close to you. In turn, the better their lives are, the more they spread the same joy. The cycle repeats and we've brightened the lives of all humanity slowly but surely.
Moving on to the latter, where everything and all traces of it will one day vanish to nothing. Okay, fine. But look at it this way, if in the end nothing matters, then what's there to worry about? If wealth doesn't matter, what's the point in stretching yourself thin for it? If every little mistake will one day be forgotten, why then stress over them? If everyone who's ever brought you pain, will one day be erased, why obsess over them? If nothing actually matters, and you have no purpose, then why not make up your own? Pick what you want to do, find what makes you happy, and smile your way through a finite existence because everything that could possibly make you upset doesn't have to matter.
What happens after you die? Do you imagine blackness? Everyone in pain and distressed? Honestly, we all do. Deep down, we all hope that even the moment we walk out of a room, everyone starts to miss us. But as time moves on, you'll notice only certain people miss your presence. And even then, after a while, they get over it. Life moves on--with or without you.
So then, if life has existed for hundreds of thousands of years before you, and it'll continue for hundreds of thousands without, what are you? A small speck of existence, in one tiny body, limited to only certain actions and areas.
As dreadful as this thought may seem to some people, personally, it can be calming. Honestly, it used to be scare me as well, as I convinced myself to believe this all meant I didn't matter. But--it doesn't. Depending on your definition of "matter", this means either everything matters equally as it'll all disappear, or nothing does.
Let's go with the former first, everything has its purpose and happens for a reason. Meaning every awful thing to ever happen wasn't to punish you per se, but instead to teach you a lesson and strengthen you. Every milestone in your life, good or bad, was actually a stepping stone for you to live your best life. And the better your life is, the better the lives of those around you. Just by being happier, you're laying out a path for your offspring and those close to you. In turn, the better their lives are, the more they spread the same joy. The cycle repeats and we've brightened the lives of all humanity slowly but surely.
Moving on to the latter, where everything and all traces of it will one day vanish to nothing. Okay, fine. But look at it this way, if in the end nothing matters, then what's there to worry about? If wealth doesn't matter, what's the point in stretching yourself thin for it? If every little mistake will one day be forgotten, why then stress over them? If everyone who's ever brought you pain, will one day be erased, why obsess over them? If nothing actually matters, and you have no purpose, then why not make up your own? Pick what you want to do, find what makes you happy, and smile your way through a finite existence because everything that could possibly make you upset doesn't have to matter.
Monday, June 24, 2019
Friday, June 21, 2019
Berries
So yesterday, right. A few friends and I were messing around, and I ended up looking up bananas because I couldn't remember that potassium was a word. While doing this, I saw in the search bar that people often looked up if a banana was a berry.
My curiosity peaked.
And a banana is a berry. And so is an apple. And a watermelon. And an eggplant. And a kumquat. To be honest, I didn't even know what a kumquat was before this. (Someone explained it as a mixture between a grape and an orange. Which by the way, are also both berries.) But commonly known berries--such as a strawberry, blueberry, and blackberry--aren't actually berries. At least, not botanically.
And so just like that, I spiraled into a berry search. Apparently, the word "berry" has been in use since at least the 12th century, and stems from words in Old English, Dutch, German, Old Saxon, Proto-Germanic and East Germanic. This word has been in use since long before scientists got together to make an official botanic definition. Beforehand, people believed a berry was just a juicy fruit which could be picked off a bush and eaten. Which explains the confusion between the naming of fruits. So then, what is a true berry?
To be a berry, a fruit needs an exocarp, a mesocarp, and an endocarp. It needs at least two seeds, and must develop from a flower with a single ovary. This puts most of our commonly known berries out of the running, as most grow from flowers with multiple ovaries, or "drupes." Once a fruit has multiple drupes, it's no longer a berry, but an aggregate fruit. Strawberries, however, while they are aggregates, instead of having drupes, they have achenes, the yellow things we commonly call the seeds.
If your brain is still intact, there are indeed multiple subcategories within the berry classification. Such as a hesperidium, which, in short, is defined as a berry with a thick, leathery shell. And, on top of that, there's weird mutations as well. Like a pineapple, isn't just one berry. But instead, several berries which have grown together and fused into one.
Yet, if I ever ask my mother for berry. She'd probably still hand me a strawberry, so.
Fruit Identification Outline, www2.palomar.edu/users/warmstrong/fruitid1.htm.
“Berry.” Merriam-Webster, Merriam-Webster, www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/berry.
“Berry (n.).” Index, www.etymonline.com/word/berry.
Geggel, Laura. “Why Are Bananas Berries, But Strawberries Aren't?” LiveScience, Purch, 12 Jan.
2017, www.livescience.com/57477-why-are-bananas-considered-berries.html.-berries.html
“Hesperidium.” Hesperidium - an Overview | ScienceDirect Topics, www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/hesperidium.
My curiosity peaked.
And a banana is a berry. And so is an apple. And a watermelon. And an eggplant. And a kumquat. To be honest, I didn't even know what a kumquat was before this. (Someone explained it as a mixture between a grape and an orange. Which by the way, are also both berries.) But commonly known berries--such as a strawberry, blueberry, and blackberry--aren't actually berries. At least, not botanically.
And so just like that, I spiraled into a berry search. Apparently, the word "berry" has been in use since at least the 12th century, and stems from words in Old English, Dutch, German, Old Saxon, Proto-Germanic and East Germanic. This word has been in use since long before scientists got together to make an official botanic definition. Beforehand, people believed a berry was just a juicy fruit which could be picked off a bush and eaten. Which explains the confusion between the naming of fruits. So then, what is a true berry?
To be a berry, a fruit needs an exocarp, a mesocarp, and an endocarp. It needs at least two seeds, and must develop from a flower with a single ovary. This puts most of our commonly known berries out of the running, as most grow from flowers with multiple ovaries, or "drupes." Once a fruit has multiple drupes, it's no longer a berry, but an aggregate fruit. Strawberries, however, while they are aggregates, instead of having drupes, they have achenes, the yellow things we commonly call the seeds.
If your brain is still intact, there are indeed multiple subcategories within the berry classification. Such as a hesperidium, which, in short, is defined as a berry with a thick, leathery shell. And, on top of that, there's weird mutations as well. Like a pineapple, isn't just one berry. But instead, several berries which have grown together and fused into one.
Yet, if I ever ask my mother for berry. She'd probably still hand me a strawberry, so.
“Berry.” Merriam-Webster, Merriam-Webster, www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/berry.
“Berry (n.).” Index, www.etymonline.com/word/berry.
Geggel, Laura. “Why Are Bananas Berries, But Strawberries Aren't?” LiveScience, Purch, 12 Jan.
2017, www.livescience.com/57477-why-are-bananas-considered-berries.html.-berries.html
“Hesperidium.” Hesperidium - an Overview | ScienceDirect Topics, www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/hesperidium.
Thursday, June 20, 2019
Winx Club Review Season 1, Ep 1-3
Where to even begin.
(Spoilers)
In these three episodes, we're vaguely introduced to every character that serves any importance for the rest of the season(I believe.) But we're still focus in on Bloom, the protagonist, as to be expected of any show really as we're only three episodes in. Each one is about twenty-three minutes long and I'd originally intended to binge the whole season and blog about that. But, I underestimated how long binging and note taking could take. So, my determined self spent around six hours picking apart the first three episodes. Mind you, I did break for food/bathroom. But still.
So anyhow, aired on January 28, 2004, It Feels Like Magic kicked off the season and ultimately the entire show. Originally Italian, it was translated and aired on Rai 2. And, if I'm being honest, it so well encapsulates the carefree spirit of a teen girl becoming a fairy. It's lighthearted, easy, magical--everything a little girl, or boy, wants in a fairy show. As a young girl, I really enjoyed watching every moment of every episode and I soaked it in like a sponge. I related to each one of the characters and pretended I was Flora. It has a surprising amount of violence, a thick plot, and character development when considering the target audience. This show made little children feel special as they stepped into this magical realm and watched five(six) girls navigate it. For a kids' show, it's spectacular.
But as a general television show, damn is it a mess.
We start off with this theme song that was honestly pretty catchy. However, turn on closed captions while listening, it's a nice laugh. We then hop into Bloom's room where she's awoken by her mom. In front of this motherly figure, she throws on the kind of outfit that prompts parents everywhere to ban their children from watching because "she's a slut." And like, I could understand if one or two characters dressed like this. But like, everyone dresses like this. Everyone follows the miniskirt and crop top dress code for whatever reason, but like, they're sixteen.
As Bloom talks to her parents and Kiko, we get a good eyeful of how choppy the animation and lip syncing can be. Not a major issue, but makes for a good laugh.
Bloom settles alone in the middle of a forest--like most sixteen-year-olds do over the summer--and sees Stella fighting Nut, the oger. And she has the perfect opportunity to blindly jump in and help this random girl. And, at the slightest aggression, Bloom's powers just...activate. And they're strong enough to fight off multiple henchmen. The ogre and his men run off and we see that he's under the rule of three witches we'll soon call the Trix. Which begs the question, why does he even obey them? They do nothing but treat him horribly and order him around and he's so polite and obedient in return.
Throughout the first episode, Bloom's dad in particular gets on my nerves, frequently. I get that accepting that his daughter's a fairy can be difficult, but he's being ridiculous. A fairy offered to clean your destroyed house in two seconds, and you opt to pay endless amounts of bills and fix it slowly and manually yourself? Why? Because he doesn't believe in fairies, dammit. In fact, he also treats Kiko with this similar ignorance. You've had this bunny for a long enough to know that he's incredibly intelligent. Also why is Kiko so intelligent? Especially compared to other pets/animals in this series, he's abnormally conscious. And why is he able to pass Alfea's border? He's never shown to be a magical creature. Ever.
And why were the Specialists even sent to help Stella? This is just their first mission why send them to Earth? Isn't vacation not officially over yet? Did Stella call them? Why? How did they manage to get there in time to help assuming they should be at Red Fountain since the school year's starting and they don't have access to teleportation magic because boys don't learn magic.
Also Stella's plan for Bloom to impersonate Varanda di Callisto shouldn't have worked as well as it did. Does no one have any clue who Varanda is? Why does no one make her say her own name? Clearly, she barely even remembers it. And why does the real Varanda give the letter to Stella? Aren't you a fairy? Just teleport there and hand it to the headmistress in person. And if that really isn't possible, aren't you a princess? Send one of your loyal subjects. Why even send a letter? There's like a million more advanced ways to get the message across, a letter is unnecessary. And why Stella of all people? Just half an hour into the series, and we get a good look at how manipulative Stella can be, it's insane. Sometimes she goes off and you wonder where her morals really are. This can either give way to an amazing character arc or a terrible character.
Later on, Faragonda presents Alfea as the best magic school in all of Magix--and the only one. Which begs the question. Why is it all all-girls school then? Why aren't there more students? What is Red Fountain? A school for fighters? Then why is it an all-boys school? And what is Cloud Tower? Isn't witchery magic? And why does Cloud Tower promote bad behavior? Also is there a whole magic school system? Because that would explain why most of Alfea's students are already so magically gifted. However, this would mean the Bloom should fail out of Alfea as she only realized that her powers even exist the day before attending Alfea. And if there isn't a school system, why is it referred to as a college?
And isn't Bloom enrolled in school in Gardenia? She does have friends, and is later mentioned to even have had a boyfriend. So why does no one knock down her parents' door like "hey, where's Bloom?"
And what are people in Magix? They're not fairies or wizards, but they have to have some magical energy, right? So what are they?
Throughout the first/second episode, they really hype up the Trix as big bad villains. But then we realize they're just three students at Cloud Tower and it's pretty laughable, to be honest.
During the Winx/Trix's first of many battles, several things are noted. Everyone hesitates entirely way too much. I could understand Bloom and some of the Winx doing so because this is probably their first battle. But there's no way the Trix have never fought before. Also, everyone takes turns. Like, why not just attack all at once? I understand working together, but pausing for each person to do their thing is extremely inefficient. And why'd Stella even wait in that battle? The point was to free Bloom and leave right? And she manages to do so in 2.5 seconds after every one's knocked down, so why not do it in the first place??????
And Stella can't keep a secret! She's the one driving this lie, and ultimately the one who gives it out. And why wasn't Bloom expelled? Because she had a dream, dammit. The entire show is based on the fact she believed in becoming a fairy. Even though she infiltrated a prestigious magic college by impersonating a dropout. She wanted to be a fairy.
And on the second day of the school year, they cancel all classes to have a party. Somehow, Griffin finds out, even though she wasn't invited. How she found out? We never know. The party isn't an annual thing as Stella, a recurring student, is shocked at the news.
Also, can't fairies just bippity boppity boo clothes onto themselves? What's the point of shopping? Also what's the currency used and where'd Bloom get money (obviously not from Stella as it's mentioned)? And can't they poof up some food too? Why then feed them? Isn't it unnecessary at that point? And why'd Bloom search for scissors outside her dorm? Why didn't anyone notice the eggs change the first or second time?
And the Trix's backup plan to steal the ring was horrid. A fairy was bound to see and try to save it. And why didn't the Winx tell Bloom that the ring was safe? Why not tell Faragonda that Bloom's being attacked by witches and go help her? Why didn't the Trix just grab it when Bloom dropped it and run? Why didn't Bloom just run and get help, she knows she can't defeat the Trix. How did Bloom transform just like that and learn to use her wings when she literally didn't know what transforming even was the previous morning? Is it an instinct sort of thing then? And, why doesn't anyone other than fairies transform? Not even Faragonda! And, nitpicky, but the cut on Bloom's shirt is way to high for zero boob spill.
Also, of course the main protagonist and main villain have fire and ice powers. Of course the other Winx arrive as soon as the Trix leave. Of course Bloom goes to the party late and gets admired and adored. Where'd she even find scissors, by the way? Isn't it a school night? The professors would probably suggest wrapping up soon. Leaving Bloom nearly no time to even attend the ball at this point. But lo and behold, she makes it and Brandon is there waiting to dance with her.
Sigh.
(Spoilers)
In these three episodes, we're vaguely introduced to every character that serves any importance for the rest of the season(I believe.) But we're still focus in on Bloom, the protagonist, as to be expected of any show really as we're only three episodes in. Each one is about twenty-three minutes long and I'd originally intended to binge the whole season and blog about that. But, I underestimated how long binging and note taking could take. So, my determined self spent around six hours picking apart the first three episodes. Mind you, I did break for food/bathroom. But still.
So anyhow, aired on January 28, 2004, It Feels Like Magic kicked off the season and ultimately the entire show. Originally Italian, it was translated and aired on Rai 2. And, if I'm being honest, it so well encapsulates the carefree spirit of a teen girl becoming a fairy. It's lighthearted, easy, magical--everything a little girl, or boy, wants in a fairy show. As a young girl, I really enjoyed watching every moment of every episode and I soaked it in like a sponge. I related to each one of the characters and pretended I was Flora. It has a surprising amount of violence, a thick plot, and character development when considering the target audience. This show made little children feel special as they stepped into this magical realm and watched five(six) girls navigate it. For a kids' show, it's spectacular.
But as a general television show, damn is it a mess.
We start off with this theme song that was honestly pretty catchy. However, turn on closed captions while listening, it's a nice laugh. We then hop into Bloom's room where she's awoken by her mom. In front of this motherly figure, she throws on the kind of outfit that prompts parents everywhere to ban their children from watching because "she's a slut." And like, I could understand if one or two characters dressed like this. But like, everyone dresses like this. Everyone follows the miniskirt and crop top dress code for whatever reason, but like, they're sixteen.
As Bloom talks to her parents and Kiko, we get a good eyeful of how choppy the animation and lip syncing can be. Not a major issue, but makes for a good laugh.
Bloom settles alone in the middle of a forest--like most sixteen-year-olds do over the summer--and sees Stella fighting Nut, the oger. And she has the perfect opportunity to blindly jump in and help this random girl. And, at the slightest aggression, Bloom's powers just...activate. And they're strong enough to fight off multiple henchmen. The ogre and his men run off and we see that he's under the rule of three witches we'll soon call the Trix. Which begs the question, why does he even obey them? They do nothing but treat him horribly and order him around and he's so polite and obedient in return.
Throughout the first episode, Bloom's dad in particular gets on my nerves, frequently. I get that accepting that his daughter's a fairy can be difficult, but he's being ridiculous. A fairy offered to clean your destroyed house in two seconds, and you opt to pay endless amounts of bills and fix it slowly and manually yourself? Why? Because he doesn't believe in fairies, dammit. In fact, he also treats Kiko with this similar ignorance. You've had this bunny for a long enough to know that he's incredibly intelligent. Also why is Kiko so intelligent? Especially compared to other pets/animals in this series, he's abnormally conscious. And why is he able to pass Alfea's border? He's never shown to be a magical creature. Ever.
And why were the Specialists even sent to help Stella? This is just their first mission why send them to Earth? Isn't vacation not officially over yet? Did Stella call them? Why? How did they manage to get there in time to help assuming they should be at Red Fountain since the school year's starting and they don't have access to teleportation magic because boys don't learn magic.
Also Stella's plan for Bloom to impersonate Varanda di Callisto shouldn't have worked as well as it did. Does no one have any clue who Varanda is? Why does no one make her say her own name? Clearly, she barely even remembers it. And why does the real Varanda give the letter to Stella? Aren't you a fairy? Just teleport there and hand it to the headmistress in person. And if that really isn't possible, aren't you a princess? Send one of your loyal subjects. Why even send a letter? There's like a million more advanced ways to get the message across, a letter is unnecessary. And why Stella of all people? Just half an hour into the series, and we get a good look at how manipulative Stella can be, it's insane. Sometimes she goes off and you wonder where her morals really are. This can either give way to an amazing character arc or a terrible character.
Later on, Faragonda presents Alfea as the best magic school in all of Magix--and the only one. Which begs the question. Why is it all all-girls school then? Why aren't there more students? What is Red Fountain? A school for fighters? Then why is it an all-boys school? And what is Cloud Tower? Isn't witchery magic? And why does Cloud Tower promote bad behavior? Also is there a whole magic school system? Because that would explain why most of Alfea's students are already so magically gifted. However, this would mean the Bloom should fail out of Alfea as she only realized that her powers even exist the day before attending Alfea. And if there isn't a school system, why is it referred to as a college?
And isn't Bloom enrolled in school in Gardenia? She does have friends, and is later mentioned to even have had a boyfriend. So why does no one knock down her parents' door like "hey, where's Bloom?"
And what are people in Magix? They're not fairies or wizards, but they have to have some magical energy, right? So what are they?
Throughout the first/second episode, they really hype up the Trix as big bad villains. But then we realize they're just three students at Cloud Tower and it's pretty laughable, to be honest.
During the Winx/Trix's first of many battles, several things are noted. Everyone hesitates entirely way too much. I could understand Bloom and some of the Winx doing so because this is probably their first battle. But there's no way the Trix have never fought before. Also, everyone takes turns. Like, why not just attack all at once? I understand working together, but pausing for each person to do their thing is extremely inefficient. And why'd Stella even wait in that battle? The point was to free Bloom and leave right? And she manages to do so in 2.5 seconds after every one's knocked down, so why not do it in the first place??????
And Stella can't keep a secret! She's the one driving this lie, and ultimately the one who gives it out. And why wasn't Bloom expelled? Because she had a dream, dammit. The entire show is based on the fact she believed in becoming a fairy. Even though she infiltrated a prestigious magic college by impersonating a dropout. She wanted to be a fairy.
And on the second day of the school year, they cancel all classes to have a party. Somehow, Griffin finds out, even though she wasn't invited. How she found out? We never know. The party isn't an annual thing as Stella, a recurring student, is shocked at the news.
Also, can't fairies just bippity boppity boo clothes onto themselves? What's the point of shopping? Also what's the currency used and where'd Bloom get money (obviously not from Stella as it's mentioned)? And can't they poof up some food too? Why then feed them? Isn't it unnecessary at that point? And why'd Bloom search for scissors outside her dorm? Why didn't anyone notice the eggs change the first or second time?
And the Trix's backup plan to steal the ring was horrid. A fairy was bound to see and try to save it. And why didn't the Winx tell Bloom that the ring was safe? Why not tell Faragonda that Bloom's being attacked by witches and go help her? Why didn't the Trix just grab it when Bloom dropped it and run? Why didn't Bloom just run and get help, she knows she can't defeat the Trix. How did Bloom transform just like that and learn to use her wings when she literally didn't know what transforming even was the previous morning? Is it an instinct sort of thing then? And, why doesn't anyone other than fairies transform? Not even Faragonda! And, nitpicky, but the cut on Bloom's shirt is way to high for zero boob spill.
Also, of course the main protagonist and main villain have fire and ice powers. Of course the other Winx arrive as soon as the Trix leave. Of course Bloom goes to the party late and gets admired and adored. Where'd she even find scissors, by the way? Isn't it a school night? The professors would probably suggest wrapping up soon. Leaving Bloom nearly no time to even attend the ball at this point. But lo and behold, she makes it and Brandon is there waiting to dance with her.
Sigh.
Wednesday, June 19, 2019
Leaf
Small, seemingly inferior
due to its small role
on a tree or a flower--
just at first glance.
This has made it
the subject of several
cruel pluck-pluck games.
As it sits silently,
others kill and fail to appreciate,
then it will wilt away
without a complaint.
Yet, under it all,
it holds codes and processes.
Inside it, a whole organization runs.
The very organization
that feeds its brethren
and allows them to all live
another day.
Generating the energy.
Brightening the sky.
Being there for us
to look at and think--
to take deep breaths when we feel
frustrated and ignored.
Because sometimes, the best course of action
isn't to fight and stand your ground,
but then
to take deep breaths, shake hands
and turn a new one.
Tuesday, June 18, 2019
Ranting
It's such a simple concept. Just take whatever's in your mind, and spit it out.
Honestly, it's a lot like writing. Simply take whatever's in your brain, and get it out. No matter how awful, just get it down on a piece of paper, or--as I prefer--a document on a computer. The human mind can think up extraordinary ideals, and when properly explained, can become something absolutely amazing. It takes real live routines, things that happen right before our eyes, and applies emotions to these events. And, that's how a rant is born. Several things happen in a specific time frame, and we as humans continue to slap on more and more emotions to these things until, eventually, they build up inside. These emotions pile up until a nice, uninterrupted rant occurs to set it all free.
But here's where ranting and writing deter from one another.
Words are very delicate. Every thing needs to be reviewed and revised before being presented to anyone unless the person behind them wants to risk a conflict. And, when words are written down, they're erasable. You can press the delete button and just like that, no one ever needs to know that that particular word came out of you in that particular context. If you erase an entire phrase and never repeat it ever, it'll never be associated with you ever.
However, when words are passed on verbally, what is said is said. There's no going back, no rethinking, no nothing as soon as the syllables pass your lips. Even pausing mid-word isn't safe, as someone could easily guess it and remember the word you almost said. And just like that, a tongue slip could ruin your reputation, relationships, career, everything--and there's no delete button.
That's why the saying is "think before you speak," yet writer's are encouraged to just let it all out. Why some people are especially quiet in person, but over text or through their writing, readers can see and feel millions of emotions condensed into a few words. And the sweet release through a long dribble can be more than beneficial at times. Verbally, ranting is such a healthy way to dust off overflowing thoughts. Yet, it's society looks down on it due to its downfalls.
Honestly, it's a lot like writing. Simply take whatever's in your brain, and get it out. No matter how awful, just get it down on a piece of paper, or--as I prefer--a document on a computer. The human mind can think up extraordinary ideals, and when properly explained, can become something absolutely amazing. It takes real live routines, things that happen right before our eyes, and applies emotions to these events. And, that's how a rant is born. Several things happen in a specific time frame, and we as humans continue to slap on more and more emotions to these things until, eventually, they build up inside. These emotions pile up until a nice, uninterrupted rant occurs to set it all free.
But here's where ranting and writing deter from one another.
Words are very delicate. Every thing needs to be reviewed and revised before being presented to anyone unless the person behind them wants to risk a conflict. And, when words are written down, they're erasable. You can press the delete button and just like that, no one ever needs to know that that particular word came out of you in that particular context. If you erase an entire phrase and never repeat it ever, it'll never be associated with you ever.
However, when words are passed on verbally, what is said is said. There's no going back, no rethinking, no nothing as soon as the syllables pass your lips. Even pausing mid-word isn't safe, as someone could easily guess it and remember the word you almost said. And just like that, a tongue slip could ruin your reputation, relationships, career, everything--and there's no delete button.
That's why the saying is "think before you speak," yet writer's are encouraged to just let it all out. Why some people are especially quiet in person, but over text or through their writing, readers can see and feel millions of emotions condensed into a few words. And the sweet release through a long dribble can be more than beneficial at times. Verbally, ranting is such a healthy way to dust off overflowing thoughts. Yet, it's society looks down on it due to its downfalls.
Sunday, June 16, 2019
First Lovely
"Dammit," I muttered, sighing as I walked into the house. Littered around, were bent and broken doll's limbs. Gora and Couro should've been home already, and I'd found myself nagging lately to get them to pick up after themselves. Exhausted, I headed to the kitchen to set my bag down. Huddled in the corner, Couro and a small barbie doll with an arm too big for it and a missing leg.
I took a quick breather then stooped down to where she played. Couro saw me and squealed, "Daddy!" She dropped her doll and wrapped her arms around my neck. I picked up her round, chubby body and carried her on my waist. As I balanced her, I realized how much she was growing and that I couldn't keep doing this.
"Hi, Couro," I smiled. "What're you doing?"
Excitedly, she flailed her arms and legs as words poured out of her, "I've been experimenting! I'm gonna make a doll that looks just like me!" Confused, I looked down at the doll she'd been playing with. Its pieces didn't match at all. Different sizes, shapes, colors--I couldn't figure out what she meant. With her on my waist, I went out into the hall and looked at the various pieces scattered, looking for some sort of trend. "Sorry for the mess," she added, "it's just a part of the process."
Slowly, I nodded, not entirely understanding. A loud thud from the living room saved me from having to think on it much more.
Rounding the corner, I saw a lanky teenage boy with scruffy, kinky black hair. Awkwardly, he stood on his poorly proportioned legs and stood up to greet me. "Hi, Dad." Recently, I'd noticed Gora's attempts to stop calling me 'Daddy,' something I noticed after catching a glimpse of a few other teenagers bugging him about the habit. Still, I put Couro down and pulled Gora into a hug. But, he pushed me away. "Watch Couro," he mumbled. "She keeps cutting up her dolls it's weird."
Frustrated, Couro jumped up, "You told me that the only way to get a doll that looks like me was to make one!"
"Yes." Gora turned his face down towards his sister and hissed, "I meant it ironically, fattie. Did you actually think you'd find a chubby doll?" My stomach turned in on itself. The words I should've said to reprimand him circled in my mind. But some kind of lock kept my mouth shut.
Beside me, I felt Couro hug my leg and begin to tear up. She opened her mouth to speak, but all that came out was sobs. I lifted her shaking body and gave Gora a harsh glare. He simply rolled his eyes and muttered, "It's true."
I took a quick breather then stooped down to where she played. Couro saw me and squealed, "Daddy!" She dropped her doll and wrapped her arms around my neck. I picked up her round, chubby body and carried her on my waist. As I balanced her, I realized how much she was growing and that I couldn't keep doing this.
"Hi, Couro," I smiled. "What're you doing?"
Excitedly, she flailed her arms and legs as words poured out of her, "I've been experimenting! I'm gonna make a doll that looks just like me!" Confused, I looked down at the doll she'd been playing with. Its pieces didn't match at all. Different sizes, shapes, colors--I couldn't figure out what she meant. With her on my waist, I went out into the hall and looked at the various pieces scattered, looking for some sort of trend. "Sorry for the mess," she added, "it's just a part of the process."
Slowly, I nodded, not entirely understanding. A loud thud from the living room saved me from having to think on it much more.
Rounding the corner, I saw a lanky teenage boy with scruffy, kinky black hair. Awkwardly, he stood on his poorly proportioned legs and stood up to greet me. "Hi, Dad." Recently, I'd noticed Gora's attempts to stop calling me 'Daddy,' something I noticed after catching a glimpse of a few other teenagers bugging him about the habit. Still, I put Couro down and pulled Gora into a hug. But, he pushed me away. "Watch Couro," he mumbled. "She keeps cutting up her dolls it's weird."
Frustrated, Couro jumped up, "You told me that the only way to get a doll that looks like me was to make one!"
"Yes." Gora turned his face down towards his sister and hissed, "I meant it ironically, fattie. Did you actually think you'd find a chubby doll?" My stomach turned in on itself. The words I should've said to reprimand him circled in my mind. But some kind of lock kept my mouth shut.
Beside me, I felt Couro hug my leg and begin to tear up. She opened her mouth to speak, but all that came out was sobs. I lifted her shaking body and gave Gora a harsh glare. He simply rolled his eyes and muttered, "It's true."
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