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LESSON 18: DON'T DO ONLINE DATING

This whole concept has bothered me for quite some time. I mean, first of all, these gems keep popping up on my facebook page:

I've seen at least four recently. Apparently I'm a desperate Muslim lesbian. I am offended! (2 out of 3 of those insinuations are competely false. One is..mostly false. Just let your mind run with that for a hot second.)

My point is though, why do people online date?! A wise friend once told me "online dating is for semi-attractive, [desperate] insecure people with poor social skills."

Humans need social interaction, and physical stimulation. I mean, have you talked to homeschooled kids? (that's a joke, for all my homeschooled friends. (mostly...;))

Everyone needs to put themselves out there and face hard rejection. It builds character. And I personally just feel that online dating is a way for people to weeny out and hide behind their computer and (often times fake) profile, waiting for some system to "match" them with someone compatible. Because you'd hate to actually just go out there and talk to a bunch of people and find out for yourself. Plus, then there are no secrets physically---I was talking to a kid who tried online dating, found the profile of a girl whom he found to be very pretty (next to perfect facial features, technically good physic, etc) so he "winked" at her, she "flirted" back, they got to talking, and he thought she was just what he was looking for! Then, they met up for their first, official, real life date, and he said she was a good hundred pounds heavier than her picture showed. Now, I understand the whole concept behind loving someone for who they are and not what they look like, because of course looks fade and eventually everyone gets wrinkly and saggy, but I have always been a firm believer that interest is sparked by attraction, and held by personality.

Catfish--the movie and/or the tv show. Watch it. I saw revealed: one hot, flirty blonde that was actually a short, fat, black homosexual man; one girl's boyfriend turned out to be her arch nemisis posing as a man to be cruel and break this girl's heart; and one boy who turned out to be formally a girl. The internet is a frightening place, why, why, whyyyy would you trust someone you met on there?

Stop being weird and meet people in real life.

One Nation, Under God

"People crushed by law, have no hopes but from power. If laws are their enemies, they will be enemies to laws; and those who have much to hope and nothing to lose, will always be dangerous."-- Edmund Burke, Irish political philosopher

Dear Mr. President,

I am just a regular US citizen, not likely picked out of a crowd, with no substantial success, no great awards to my name, and certainly not a lot of money. So why should you listen to me? Because I am no less important than you. I have as much value, and as many constitutional rights as every other US citizen, whether they are a company CEO, a firefighter, a doctor, or a substitute teacher.

I write because I feel my inalienable rights are being challenged. The second amendment in our Constitution entitles us to the right to bear arms. Burke also says in a later address that "the people never give up their liberties but under some delusion." Such a delusion being paraded is that guns are killing people, and the solution to the seemingly increasing amount of shootings is to ban guns.

Are you aware on the same day as the Sandy Hook shooting, a man in Chenpeng village in Henan province, (China) slashed 22 children and one adult with a knife? (Full story here.) Are you further aware that in Linchang Village school, again in China, a man killed 7 children and 2 adults with a meat cleaver? (Full story here.) But let's focus specifically on the United States for a minute.

Remember the story about the "zombie man" in Miami, Florida? "Rudy Eugene, 31, was killed by a police officer after Eugene's 18-minute attack on a homeless man."
"'He attacked me,' Ronald Poppo said of his assailant in a police recording obtained by the affiliate and broadcast Thursday. 'He just ripped me to ribbons. He chewed up my face. He plucked out my eyes. Basically that's all there is to say about it.'
Poppo, who is now blind, said he initially thought Rudy Eugene, 31, was 'a good guy.'"

According to this CNN report, the autopsy revealed that Eugene had Marijuana in his system, not "bath salts," which was initially suspected, no other drugs, perscription or otherwise. So to break it down, this man was high on pot, and viciously attacked an innocent person, eating 75% of his face and causing him to be blind. Yet Marijuana was recently legalized in Washington and my home state of Colorado. A life was taken an many were irreversably altered, but I don't see any steps being taken towards outlawing the drug.

Of course, with that last story, you're probably thinking "well, one person died, it wasn't a massacre like the shootings in Colombine, Sandy Hook, Aurora, Virginia Tech, etc." And you're right. But regardless of how many lives are lost, injured, or changed, none are more important that another. Why are the lives of many worth more value than the life of one? People kill people more often than is reported, and the bottom line is, if a person wants to kill another, they will find the means. It is against the law to take another life in innocence, so do you think the murderer will respect one law while violating another? "Hmm, I would like to victimize innocent people, but there's a law against guns, so I'll honor that and find another weapon."--said no criminal ever.

So let's stop blaming guns for the actions of others, because a gun doesn't kill any more than a pen writes or a car drives. All must be operated and used by a person. Don't ban guns, teach people. I work as a substitute teacher, and recently I subbed at an elementary school that had the motto "let's be kind," and they met regularly in assemblies where they discussed how to be kind and treat each other with love and respect. They even had time where the kids were encouraged to raise their hands and share stories of when a classmate did something kind for them. In 2 years of subbing, I have never before or since been to a school with better behaved or kinder children and staff. No laws can compensate for the failure to teach morals. Rather than giving speeches about the dangers of guns and proposals to ban them, why don't we hear about working together to build a stronger nation. To love and respect people. To serve. The human mind is wired to respond positively to encouragement and negatively to punishment. Setting restrictions and negative consequences are nearly innefectual in comparison to teaching morals and guidelines and giving the freedom of choice. How many Americans since this legislation was put on the table for discussion do you think went out and bought themselves guns?

People need to be loved, taught not infantilized. I am certain that if the government tries to outlaw guns or make aquiring them so hard it's next to impossible, they will have a revolution on their hands. Wyoming has already revolted:

Wyoming lawmakers have proposed a bill to nullify any new federal restrictions on guns, and threatening to arrest any federal agents attempting to confiscate guns, mags, or ammo and charge them with a felony.
If passed, expect Wyoming’s population to literally double overnight.
Wyoming lawmakers have proposed a new bill that, if passed, would nullify any federal restrictions on guns, threatening to jail federal agents attempting to confiscate guns, ammunition magazines or ammunition.
The bill – HB0104 – states that “any federal law which attempts to ban a semi-automatic firearm or to limit the size of a magazine of a firearm or other limitation on firearms in this state shall be unenforceable in Wyoming.”

The federal government cannot trump the rights of the states. And to try to nationally outlaw guns or restrict size of a firearm magazine does just that.

I am also very bothered that "under God" was exempt from the inagural prayer: http://redflagnews.com/headlines/outrageous-obamas-inaugural-prayer-drops-under-god

Let's get back to the basics and remember the basis on which this country was build. Under God, with liberty and justice for all.

i know what homeschooled is, i'm not retarded

LESSON 17: THE BOOTY CALL

Let me just start this one out by telling you--all girls are not as dumb as you think they are when it comes to this tasteless tactic, so please don't insult my intelligence by pretending we are. The dating world in Provo is so different than the dating world...in the rest of the world. And by now, I've got a pretty fair grasp on all the tricks.

So those of you guilty of pulling this little charmer, I ask, do you really think that I don't know that a text at midnight or later asking if I would like to "come watch a movie" actually means "come make out with me?" Really? No. Always the answer is no. I have admittedly and embarrassingly fallen for that one a couple times, but I am not a naive 18 year old anymore. (Which, sidenote, but shame on you for taking advantage of that.) Girls can see right through your bad intentions, and yes, some girls don't care and will go over and let you use them, or even initiate it themselves.

But why does anyone think it's ok to use somebody else like that, ever? It's horrible. How can you not realize how important and precious every person is, and treat them as such? Just over this last weekend I had it happen more than I am comfortable telling. Which, upon reflection would lead to the presumption that I give off that vibe of being one of "those girls", but I've had it told to me that it's not in fact my actions or my person, but that I wear dark eyeliner and leather boots. Not that I dress like a floozie and flaunt my body for the world to see, but because it's winter and it just so happens that I only like to wear stylish boots. I'm sorry that looking fabulous translates that way. But those of you who think that can kiss my butt, because it's the only kissing you're going to get from me.

so, you have a sister

LESSON 16: DATING SISTERS

Don't. This is really your worst idea you ever had. Sisters (also best friends (Kassie)) have a code: if he asks her out, you have no future. Simple enough. And yet, you'd be surprised how many times sneaky boys try to share.

I'm sorry guys, do think we don't talk?

Story 1. Kassie and I went to a wedding reception together, boy comes up and tries to flirt with both of us, then says "hey so, maybe I could get both your numbers?" Hahahahahaha. He didn't get either.

Story 2. I go out with a boy: Jose, whom had come over and met Kassie the night before. On our date, he asks me about Kassie the whole time. This date was cut very short and I never saw him again. That same night, she goes out on a first date with a boy: Yards, and he tried to kiss her--however, being the classy lady she is, she didn't kiss him. Then, she leaves the next morning to go visit her family, and Yards comes over that night and tries to kiss me. Like I didn't know that he had taken her out and tried to kiss her the night before? Like I would ever do anything to hurt Kassie? Like I wouldn't instantly relay exactly what happened the moment I saw her? Poor boy was in our ward, couldn't even make eye contact with us for a month.

Story 3. Most recently--boy texts my sister, messages me on facebook, takes out 2 of my roommates, and cuddles with the other. All at the same time. I want to say he wins for worst played. I watched everything happen, and man, did really get it from my sister.

When I was a kid, I was probably one of the ugliest girls you would ever see. Ages 9-14 were pretty rough. The awkward years hit some of us harder than others. And as a result, for years, all of the boys I liked, liked my older sister Rachel. In fact, I remember the boys used to ask me "when we are older, do you think you'll look like Rachel? Because if you do, we should hook up." Now, as a fragile middle schooler, I was quite traumatized, and vowed then and there that if any boy asked out my sister or showed any kind of interest in her, I would never have interest in them. Of course, as I got a little older and more mature, the whole premise of loyalty took over, but regardless, if he doesn't want my attention first, he doesn't get it ever.

Now, these are not all the stories, for that list is much too long and my ADD is---oh! Butterfly!

So, in conclusion, ladies and gentlemen, what have we learned from these anecdotes? Best friends talk. No matter how suave or charming you think you are, I promise if you try to date girls that are as tight knit and quality as my sisters/Kassie and I, you are going to wind up alone and humiliated, because none of us are passive enough to let you off the hook that easily. If you date best friends/sisters and get away with it...well, you probably deserve each other.

But that's just one lady's opinion...

We the People

"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America"

If you are looking for a noncontroversial, quippy dating lesson, you'll want to skip this post. I write this because I feel our rights as stated by the Constitution are being endangered, and I want to write this because I still have the freedom of speech. Now, some of you read that last line and undoubtedly rolled your eyes, but are our rights to bear arms (working on that post) and freedom of religion not being attacked at this very moment? If you don't agree, here's a little education.

"Hobby Lobby, a Christian-owned and run company, is fighting back against a judge’s decision siding with the Obama administration saying that it has the right to force it to pay for drugs for women that may cause abortions.

The privately held retail chain with more than 500 arts and crafts stores in 41 states filed a lawsuit against the Obama administration over its HHS mandate. The company says it would face $1.3 million in fines on a daily basis starting in January if it fails to comply with the mandate, which requires religious employers to pay for or refer women for abortion-cause drugs that violate their conscience or religious beliefs"--(view the whole story here) 

1.3 million in fines every day for standing for what they believe in. Hobby Lobby is almost sure to go out of business, I'd guess before the month is up. Do we sit back and let the government shut down every business who holds true to their beliefs?

"A new Rasmussen Reports poll shows Americans narrowly support allowing businesses and religious organizations to opt out of the controversial HHS mandate that compels them to pay for birth control and drugs that may cause abortions.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 46% of Likely U.S. Voters feel that if providing such coverage violates the deeply held beliefs of a church, religious organization or business owner, they should be allowed to opt out of providing coverage for contraceptives."--LifeNews, Poll: Americans Support Religious Exemption for HHS Mandate.

If this article's numbers are correct, and the majority of the American people are not in favor of making these companies enforce healthcare which includes paying for drugs that can induce abortions, how can President Obama rightfully usurp and undermine the will of the people?

Liberty University is challenging the requirement that people must obtain health insurance or pay a penalty and provisions requiring employers to offer health care for their employees. It is also challenging the controversial HHS mandate that has been a subject of more than 40 lawsuits.

Said Mat Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel and Dean of Liberty University School of Law, “Congress exceeded its power by forcing every employer to provide federally mandated insurance. But even more shocking is the abortion mandate, which collides with religious freedom and the rights of conscience...

“ObamaCare is the biggest funding of abortion in American history. ObamaCare will for the first time require employers and individuals to directly fund abortion. This abortion mandate collides with religious freedom and the rights of conscience.”

Personally, I believe that as soon as conception happens, a spirit is sent to grow physically--already a person, no matter how small or undeveloped it is. And that person has a right to life. Therefore, I view abortion as murder. So to fund ObamaCare through taxes, or for those business owners to be forced to pay for anything that infringes upon their core beliefs, as human beings, is unconstitutional.

It's not about abortion--it's about a violation of the rights of the American people. It's about freedom. This government "of the people, by the people, for the people" is here to serve us, to protect us, not to enslave us to their own decisions and desires. If we aren't aware, active, we will watch this country tear itself apart, until our very Constitution is hanging by a thread.

“Inspired by the “Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day” promoted this past August by Governor Mike Huckabee, a similar grassroots initiative has cropped up in the past few days at www.StandWithHobbyLobby.com. The Facebook-driven campaign  has already collected more than 18,000 people who have pledged to shop at the store on Saturday.

“On Saturday, January 5th, all Americans who value freedom of religion and oppose the HHS Mandate’s unfair impositions upon religious individuals and corporate entities are called upon to show their support for Hobby Lobby by shopping either at their local retail Hobby Lobby store or online,” organizer Joe Grabowski told LifeNews.

The people came together to support Chick-fil-A, and now we are coming together to support Hobby Lobby. We are a resilient people, and we deserve a government who listens to us, to respects us, who protects us, not that dictates how we live.

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.