Star Wars: The Force Awakens

A darkened movie theater is probably not the best place to be chopping up onions, but that has to be what the guy sitting beside me was doing considering how my eyes were watering up when the first chords of the opening theme started playing and the crawl started. Or maybe there was just a lot of dust in the theater. Yeah, I'm going with that.

RIP, Robin Williams

I read the news today, oh boy - Robin Williams: 1951-2014

I know how you felt, because I've been there. I've been convinced that those I love would be better off if I wasn't around anymore. I've carried the burden of thinking I was just plodding along in a life I felt would never get better. I am familiar with the feeling that people were just saying it to be nice when they told me how good I was, how I made them happy, how much it would pain it would cause if I died. I didn't have the courage to complete the final step. I am truly, profoundly sad that you did not lack that courage, because you were good, you made people happy and we're all hurting because you are gone. 

I want to believe that consciousness is nonlocal, and that you're still lingering somewhere. That you can see the tremendous outpouring of sadness and good will at your passing. This is not because I want you to feel guilt. You have certainly had your share of that. I just want you to see that you are loved. You are appreciated. Without the disease of depression clouding your brain, this will all make sense to you. I truly hope that you are finally happy wherever you are. You deserve it after the fight you put up. 

You actually got me through a lot of rough times. My teenage years were pretty trying, but watching your comedy specials and being able to bond through quotes with other kids I thought were too good for my company was a real boon for me. 

Goodbye, Robin Williams, and godspeed. I hope that the pain that presented an insurmountable challenge in life has left you. I hope that if you are to be reincarnated, it is to a body that is free of the disease of depression, because you deserve so much more. 

Today in Ridiculously Beautiful People Wearing Ridiculously Beautiful Clothes

It's Orlando Bloom and Zoe Saldana.

The First Amendment of the US Constitution

This is the text of the First Amendment, which people love to cite when someone gets called out in the media for boneheaded comments:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

What this means:

No US government official has the right to make a law that restricts a citizen's expression, establishes a "state" religion, restricts their right to practice any religion they choose, inhibits their ability gather together for any reason or prevents them from demanding that the government hear their concerns.

What this does NOT mean:

That idiots like Phil Robertson can say any disgusting thing they want and experience no consequences. If you say something vile while representing your employer, they, being private citizens themselves, are well within their rights to get your stink off of them. If a consumer, also a private citizen, chooses not to spend money at your establishment because of something you did that they don't agree with, he or she is also well within rights. The First Amendment also protects the speech of people you don't agree with.

So let's recap:

• Until the government drags Phil Robertson off in handcuffs and imprisons him for making homophobic and racist remarks, his right to free speech is not being violated by any stretch of the imagination
• Telling someone to STFU is not violating his or her right to free speech, but in many cases it is very good advice
• Business owners and media figures are freely exercising their rights by saying homophobic, racist, misogynistic or just plain stupid things; consumers are freely exercising theirs by refusing to buy their products or watch their shows
• The First Amendment applies to all speech, even speech that conservatives don't agree with

Capisce? Good.

I Want My Work/Life Balance Back!

"Lying here on my deathbed and looking back on my life, my biggest regret is not working more overtime."

Said no one, ever.

You Are Good Enough and You Deserve the Best

I'm just sharing a link this time.

You Are Good Enough and You Deserve the Best, by Alesha Chilton

Please give this link some love, because she says it so much better than I can. Blessed be, Alesha.

Job Description Buzzphrases Translated

If you're looking for a job or just like to peruse the job boards from time to time, you're bound to notice that many posts have a common language. We see it all the time, but what does it really mean? I think I know and will be happy to translate for you!

I should state that this is just a humorous post (well I think it is) and not meant to be taken seriously at all. I'm trying to work through a case of writer's block, so some silliness might be what it takes.

Anyway, shall we?

Not All Suffering Is Inevitable

Someone who lived a long time ago and was a lot smarter than me said that suffering is inevitable. Loss is inevitable. If we live long enough we will lose our loved ones, our youth and our vitality, and eventually we will die. We will experience illness and injury, either our own or someone else's. It's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when.

Sounds pretty grim, doesn't it? It is. But the thing about an inevitable event is that there's no point in doing anything other than accepting it will happen, preparing for it and dealing with it when the time comes. It's what you do in the time leading up to it that matters.

But there is so much suffering in our lives that we can prevent. We just need to change the way we think about things we've been taught all our lives and decide what's really important. We need to process the messages we receive daily in a different, more productive way.

I don't know what will work for you, because I don't know you. There's no one size fits all solution for everyone. But these are the things I'm trying and telling myself, so maybe you'll find something in here that's useful.

I Need to Get...Wait for It...Out of This Cube Farm

As I sit here in a nearly deserted office on the day after the 4th of July, a Friday, because I have to be here while everyone else could take the day off if they felt like it but I can't, I can't help but wonder about some things.

Depressed? Get a Dog.

Or at least spend some time with one.

Here's my furry little ball of therapy, Elizabeth the chiweenie:

I never planned on getting a dog. I love them, but my work schedule and commute prevent me from having the time to give them the full range of care that they need. But my mom, who lives with me, wanted one for the longest time and fell in love with the little girl in the picture up yonder. Mom is retired, so she can take care of her during the day. 

So now I have a dog, and I can't imagine life without her.