Good news for people who love bad news

I feel like everyone around me is changing, and I'm staying the same. Not in one of those "everyone else is moving on and I'm lonely and stuck in the past" sort of ways; I like who I am (ding! Self esteem exists), but it seems like my friends have, in a sudden, introspective exodus, decided to make self alterations. Maybe I'm changing too, and just don't realize it. Somehow everyone seems to have never seemed so young and so old at the same time.

Isn't it interesting how we refer to the 4-15 friends we're likely to be referring to as "everyone"? There couldn't be a more inaccurate term, but it works for me.

I'm also becoming an increasing fan of frank sincerity. It's rather refreshing to be around people who never dance around issues or hesitate to exactly vocalize their thoughts, for better or for worse. (It's not hypocritical to admire a trait that you in no way, shape, or form put into practice, right?)

Top four adjectives I'd like to be known by:

1. Consistent

2. Witty

3. Sincere

4. Endearing

He liked to wrap stuff up into neat little packages that implied the world

Current Pleasures:

- Good conversation

- Fall weather

- Painting

- Climbing

Current Irritations:

- Election-time bickering

- American Studies

- Homecoming week

- Unresolved issues

Currently Looking Forward To:

- The end of the lap swim unit

- Halloween

- Election Day

- November 10th

- Thanksgiving break

Current Quote:

"Kim and Linda: Balancing the world since 1996."

Some can't tell the difference anymore

I still occasionally find it amusing that an activity I'd never even particularly heard of 4-5 years ago now utterly consumes my life. I actually remember passing by the scene shop on the way to a band audition in 8th grade, peering in, seeing some kids, and not knowing what they were doing. I figured it was auto or something. A lot of those kids are probably my friends now.

At this point I could launch into one of those "it's funny how things turn out" or "you never would have guessed a few years ago where you are today" monologues, but I think I'll save that for another day.

What I am going to touch on, though, is something I was thinking about earlier. NVHS has over 3000 kids now, and I know very few of them. Despite that, in my head I think I know a lot of people at the school, and I decided it's because I'm so involved in my little section. At larger high schools (and colleges, I assume) it's impossible to get to know everyone in your year, let alone school. There are 960 someodd kids in my grade... I know less than 400 by face, mostly because I attended middle school with them. I don't talk to 90% of that group, primarily for the same reason. So, I get involved in a small area of the school (theatre, for those of you who have trouble connecting the dots) where I'll get to know most everyone on an acquaintance level, if I don't form a true friendship. Pretty much everyone finds their little niche, and those who don't, I've noticed, really end up enjoying their school years a lot less, because though they have friends, they don't have a common activity that ties them to their school and allows them to be part of something that not only encourages new friendships, but makes them feel necessary and included. Because I'm involved in tech, and am known in that circle, I feel like the school needs me around and cares if I don't show up. Others have sports, band, chess, and government, depending on interest.

I'd be good at those "get involved" motivational speeches they give the freshman. I'm also pretty good at stating the obvious.

There's weather today!

For lack of a better word, and that's my best excuse

I don't know if you watch 7th Heaven or not, but if you do, have you ever noticed that in every episode, everyone's lives correlate perfectly? If Simon is getting pressured into smoking, Ruthie will have a friend who thinks smoking is cool, Mary's friend will be diagnosed with lung cancer, and Matt will be having problems with a girlfriend due to her addiction. One way or another, all family members will be dealing with variations of an issue that have the same resolving moral in order to create a nicely packaged ending.

I never thought I'd compare my life to 7th Heaven, but it is seeming to be leaning towards that pattern. It's just too bad the topic in question isn't so light as smoking. Now I'm just waiting for that heartfelt moment of resolution where at least 2/3 of parties present will end up in tears, with at least 1/4 of them male.

That reminds me of those statistics around school they have right now that say 1 in 3 girls have experienced dating violence/abusive relationships. Or those posters that say 1 in 4 kids at school smoke. 1 in 3 drink. Those posters really depress me. Especially because more than 75% of the school is underage for smoking, 100% underage for drinking, and violence is pretty much 100% illegal. It's a flawed logic (and thanks to English, I can tell you via logical fallacies table exactly why) to say if you count out three or four people at random, 1 of them will HAVE to drink/smoke/be abused, but even so, it's a saddening thought.

And on that note, my prayers go out to those wrapped up in this 7th Heaven syndrome.