The next steps

My turn to create a list of what I want to cover in my posting. 1) Reasons behind my favorite things, 2) Top five movies, 3) Reasons behind those movies, 4) MY next big idea, hopefully it will compliment yours, we'll have to see. Oh and there will be a prequel of what I've been up to.

I am still in Utah, but this past weekend I got to visit Kansas City. I saw the boyfriend and I got a chance to see my relatives that live there and just overall get away. I'm still busy grinding away at samples, but my work hours and coming down in number as I get into the swing of things and get more fluent at what I do. I'm still debating what I want to do after this year is up but I'm going to take the GRE sometime soon after I get back in August or September. That's the short end of what I've been up to and this is the end of my prequel.

1) A review of the list so we all know what my favorite things are:
1. Relationships
2. Music
3. Science
4. Communication
5. Nature
6. Art
7. Evil
8. Handmade things
9. Books
10. Beer
Runners up: Sports and good

So upon retyping my list I realized that originally I had books on there twice. They are definitely number 9, just to clarify.

I decided to go backwards in my explanations so let me start with sports. For as long as I can remember I have been surrounded by sports. For the better part of my life so far I played softball and then in college I earned a black belt in the martial art of Tae Kwon Do. This combined with the fact that I have at least dabbled in basketball, volleyball and a host of other sports they are a part of what I have done and where I have been and how I have accomplished it. Sports have taught me and many, many other important life lessons on how to accomplish things not only for yourself, but for others when necessary. I choose the words when necessary because I agree with Ayn Rand's theory that in the end everything we choose to do must be based on doing it for our personal gain in some way shape or form. And in that is where the reward comes from. Sports have also kept me in shape and taught me how to take care of myself. In addition to everything that has been accomplished by my participation in sports is that I enjoy watching sport competitions on tv and in person. I get a thrill when watching certain sports being played and there is always a lesson taught if you want to learn one.

My other runner up is good and I believe that a lot of the explanation for good will come from the discussion of evil which is higher on my list. So stay tuned or scroll down to evil to get the scoop.

Number 10, beer. This may seem like a some what shallow thing for me to choose but it is an interesting drink to consider. Beer is one of my favorite beverages. The taste of fresh beer brings a host of memories to mind for me. A lot of my memories from college involve beer, for better or worse it's the truth. It wasn't always me who had been consuming it, but it was involved. Also it brings to mind Germany. Beer was everywhere I went in Germany and although it took me a little bit of time to warm up to it, I did and I'm glad I did. For the larger picture, beer is a historical presence. It was consumed, brewed and given as offering throughout most of history. It unites current day with past because although the flavors change and the ingredients may vary it is a common thread that ties past with present. Many other foods and flavors have changed, but beer has remained relatively the same. It was drank when the water was bad, it was drank in celebration, it was drank because it was easily available and easily made. Many appall it because it is alcoholic in nature, but I say it's a good way to preserve the past and continue our homage to those who have come before us.

Number 9, books. Ahhh, my best friends, except for the real ones that is. I suppose I could have also substituted knowledge here, however well, I'll just go with it and let you decide. I taught myself to read when I was three. Ever since then I have been obsessed with words. I read and still read anything I can get my hands on. It's a quest for me to gather as much knowledge (and pleasure) from the written word as I can. Some books are more like good friends and I read them because they transport to far off places, others are read for knowledge and yet others for lessons and a gaining of truth. Some of the strongest and most notable messages are contained in books. Hemingway, Bradbury, Rand, Poe, Twain, and Plato all wrote and in their own way they have all changed the world and the way people think about it. Whether through humor, sarcasm or just telling it like it is all of them have made an impact that is still respected to this day. That is power. The power to teach, to provide entertainment and to make people reconsider that which they thought they knew. Yes these things exist on the Internet, they exist in the speeches that have been given throughout history but they live on in books for generations to discover and rediscover. Alright I could go on and on about books but I will move on to the next topic.

Number 8, handmade things. There is a sincerity that is created by actually making something. Taking your time to create and bring to life an idea is irreplaceable and an entirely different entity than just going to a store and buy it. From clothes, food and accessories, to cards, handwritten notes, and blankets, there is a charm and an extra step of care that goes into making something for someone else. The feeling one gets from receiving something handmade, or if you are making the project for yourself finishing the project, is unlike any other. There is a sense of accomplishment or of feeling a sense of love or caring that has gone into that gift that you now have. I think that makes sense. In today's world where so much of stuff is prepackage and the personal touch is removed getting something, or making something by hand, actually doing it instead of just buying it pre-assembled is a really awesome feeling.

Number 7, evil. Now you're probably wondering why I chose to put evil on the list instead of evil and good, or just good. Most people prefer good to evil and most expect them to come as a pair. And while I do believe that they are important in the pair, I think that evil is the more important of the two. In my way of thinking if there wasn't evil we would have no concept of good. If all we knew was good, it wouldn't seem so good anymore. This would be a large problem. I also think that evil is important because it is the opposite of what most of us strive for in life and as long as you know what you are striving not to be, you can better understand what you are and what you are trying to be. Evil to that respect is always better than good. However again I say, where would evil be without good and where would good be without evil, which is why good ended up as a runner up.

Number 6, art. When I say art I mean many, many different forms or art. Not necessarily the art where people throw together random items and try to give them meaning, but art such as painting and sculpture, photography and ceramics. Art is a record of humanity and the wealth or poverty of a country or period of time. It is a record of the capabilities of the society in which the people live. Art is a record of what and or who is important to the age. Art is also a form of self expression that allows for people to have a creative outlet to show what they are feeling or experiencing at the time. A snapshot into a persons reality. Whether you create, enjoy or analyze art it is unavoidable and frankly who would want to completely avoid art. Life would be boring and uncolorful along with relatively unexpressive. Art contributes to the design of buildings and houses along with just being able to hang it on your wall or look at it in a museum.

Number 5, nature. Being outside and enjoying what there is on this planet is too important to waste. The beauty that is out there to be seen is too much to be missed. I don't have a lot more to say other than, while city growth is important, preserving nature is also important. So go outside and enjoy the sites.

It's a little more than halfway and I'm thinking I may have to stop here for the night because it's getting late and I have work tomorrow. So unfortunately I am going to have to leave it here and finish it up tomorrow and hopefully get the rest of my list of discussion items discussed. I'll work on it and we'll see where it goes tomorrow.