Free Hugs

Sometimes, a hug is all we need.
Free Hugs is a real life controversial story of Juan Mann, a man whose sole mission was to reach out and hug a stranger to brighten up their life. In this age of social disconnectedness and lack of human contact, the effects of the Free Hugs campaign became phenomenal. As this symbol of human hope spread across the city, police and officials ordered the Free Hugs campaign BANNED. We then witnessed the true spirit of humanity come together in what can only be described as awe inspiring. In the spirit of the free hugs campaign, PASS THIS TO A FRIEND and HUG A STRANGER! After all, if you can reach just one person...

How it all started:
I'd been living in London when my world turned upside down and I had to come home. By the time my plane landed back in Sydney, all I had left was a carry-on bag full of clothes and a world of troubles. There was no one to welcome me back, and no place to call home. I was a tourist in my hometown. Standing there in the arrivals terminal, watching other passengers meeting their waiting friends and family, with open arms and smiling faces, hugging and laughing together, I wanted someone out there to be waiting for me. To be happy to see me. To smile at me. To hug me. So I got some cardboard and a marker and made a sign. I found the busiest pedestrian intersection in the city and held that sign aloft, with the words "Free Hugs" on both sides. And for 15 minutes, people just stared right through me. The first person who stopped tapped me on the shoulder and told me how her dog had just died that morning. How that morning had been the one year anniversary of her only daughter dying in a car accident. How what she needed now, when she felt most alone in the world, was a hug. I got down on one knee, we put our arms around each other and when we parted, she was smiling. Everyone has problems and for sure mine haven't compared. But to see someone who was once frowning, smile even for a moment is worth it every time.

Why was it banned?
Public liability fear and red tape. But it's all okay now! Make sure to check your local laws before embarking on your Hugathon!

Visit http://www.freehugscampaign.org/ for more information!

Disclaimer: I didn't write any of this, just some editing. I thought it'd be good to let people know more background... raising awareness and all...

Semi-Book Reviews (3)

I just finished reading Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice today, while I probably should have been doing my homework. I was caught up, as I usual, while reading. I actually read four books this weekend. First was Terrier (Beka Cooper) by Tamora Pierce. Second was All-American Girl by Meg Cabot. Third was Cut by Patricia Mccormick. And lastly, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. As can probably be ascertained from my book list, I was rather busy procrastinating... I guess I'll write what each book was basically about and state my opinion of it.


Terrier (Beka Cooper) is a Tortall Legend written by Tamora Pierce, which chronologically precedes the Alanna series by 200 years. It is the story of sixteen-year-old Beka Cooper, an extremely shy girl raised in the Lower City, far from palaces and knights; it is a place of thieves, beggars, and drunken louts. Beka decides she wants to become one of the Provost's Guards, dubbed "Dogs". As a trainee she is only a "Puppy", but she is determined to guard the home she's known and the people in it. Dumped upon two of the finest veteran Dogs, they are not at all thrilled about being saddled with a Pup. Through doubt, scorn, criticism, and disdain, Beka shows the people of the Lower City just how far she will go for her cause. And she's got help in the form of her oddly matched friends and the voices of the dead.

"The Lower City is mine. Its people are mine --- its children are mine. If I find them that's doing all this kidnapping and murdering, they'd best pray for mercy. Because once I get my teeth in 'em, I will never let them go." - Beka Cooper, Terrier

I really enjoyed this book, which is of no surprise to me because I'm such an avid fan of Tamora Pierce. She is my go-to author when I want something fun and exciting, not dark and angsty. I'm never disappointed with her writing. I've read every book she's ever written in the kingdom of Tortall and the Circle series. I think that totals to around 24 books out so far, and more to come. I can't wait! This book was written as the journal of Beka Cooper, so it is told in first person; a new endeavor for this renowned author.


All-American Girl is a typical whimsical story of Samantha, a self-titled "urban rebel" who is overshadowed by her older, popular, not to mention cheerleader, sister, and is in love with her sister's boyfriend, Jack, whom she admires for his free-thinking nonconformity and artistic talent. In her time not paying attention in school, Sam earns a C minus in German which subsequently lands her in art lessons with Susan Boone. While ditching art one day, Sam notices the motorcade and sees President of the United States ducking out of a cookie store and the man next to her aiming a gun. Instictively, she jumps the guy and consequently saves the President's life. The First son, she finds out, is in her art class. He falls in love with her, she forgets Jack, and they live happily ever after with their names carved into the window sill of the White House. The End.

I had originally borrowed this book because I thought I would be a "fun, light-hearted" read. I was quite disappointed in the lack of a believable storyline. It was the typical cliché without the unexpected twists and memorable characters that usually keep me reading. I was also irritated that Meg Cabot felt the need to put Top Ten lists in between every chapter. I consider this book boring and too juvenile to even be in the Teens section of the bookstore, let alone Young Adult. Overall, I was not satisfied with this book, and feel that it could have been done much better.


Cut is about a girl named Callie. She cuts herself. She's in a sort of asylum for teenagers, who are all trying to cure themselves. Callie doesn't talk, she chooses not to, which makes working with her difficult. Cut is the story of Callie beginning to accept help and learning to help herself.

"Then I placed the blade next to the skin on my palm. A tingle arced across my scalp. The floor tipped up at me and my body spiraled away. Then I was on the ceiling looking down, waiting to see what would happen next…"

It wasn't the greatest book as far as stories go, but it was reality and not all life-occurrences are juicy, storybook events. It may have been true and still might be true for others. Understand that this wasn't written by a formerly published author. This short book (story) was published by PUSH. PUSH is dedicated to new authors and new voices. These writers tell it like it really is. No preaching. No false endings. No stereotypes or contrivance. Just an honest dose of reality. These books are funny, observant, heartbreaking, and heart stopping. Just like life.


Lastly, is Pride and Prejudice. I will tell about it more in depth later, but for now, suffice it to say that I did enjoy this book, and it is well worth reading if you have the time and patience for it, though it isn't very long. A classic, for sure. My reasons for that sentiment will be known later. But now, it is late (rather I should say early), and I really need to go to sleep. I figure three semi-"book reviews" are more than enough for one blog entry. Night all. If you had the perseverance to get this far, I commend you. Till Later…

Redundance

I actually wasn't too sure what to put up here. I'm still not fully clear on the whole idea of the commonplace book/blog. Is it a journal? That's probably one of the reasons it took me so long to post everything up; I wasn't sure what I was supposed to put up. I've looked at every single student's page in Ms. Taite's classes, and the entire concept is still a little foggy to me.

Many of the entries I saw addressed world issues and controversy: over fishing, abortion, tragedies/disasters, bad influences... etc. I'm definitely not against any of these things, but they aren't topics that plague my thoughts all day. They are written because that's what some people think teachers want to hear: that we care about all the bad things that happen in the world and we are trying to raise awareness, and because they can't be bothered to think of anything different. While these reasons aren't bad, they are boring. I've got nothing against world peace and universal awareness, and I realize that many people couldn't think of their own ideas so they went searching through other peoples' pages (much like I did) in hopes of finding a good topic or inspiration. The result of this is half the class writing about the same issues, either paraphrasing or contradicting another's opinion. To be redundant, I was bored. I actually bothered to read much of what people wrote and by the time I was finished, I was quite unimpressed by the lack of variation in originality and opinion. I had heard it all before.

This is not to say that they aren't good writers, or that they lack an opinion. I am not accusing anyone of false genuineness in caring about these matters, just stating my opinion on the absence of variety and interesting posts. While many were not as exciting as others, there were also a bunch of posts that astounded me.

I guess I still don't know what else to write, so I wrote this. It's pretty much a rant, so pardon me if I've offended anyone (everyone), it wasn't intended. I am told I'm blunt, but that's no excuse. I apologize to all who have taken offense, suffered indignity, insult, or indignation. Once again, it wasn't intended.

When I write, I try to write what truly interests me. I like everyday things, stuff I can relate to. This is not really displayed on my blog because I hardly post what means a great deal to me, for fear of being ridiculed. In admitting this, I can hardly blame people for what they have written on their own blogs.

PostSecret

"Every single person has at least one secret that would break your heart." - PostSecret participant

There's an ongoing community art project called PostSecret created by Frank Warren. It is a place where anyone can anonymously send their secrets on the back of homemade postcards. The only rules are that the secret be true and never spoken of before. Here are the guidelines:

Each secret can be a regret, hope, funny experience, unseen kindness, fantasy, belief, fear, betrayal, erotic desire, feeling, confession, or childhood humiliation. Reveal anything - as long as it is true and you have never shared it with anyone before.

Create your own 4-by-6-inch postcards out of any mail-able material. But please only put one secret on a card. If you want to share two or more secrets, use multiple postcards. (Please do not e-mail your secret.)

Please put your complete secret and image on one side of the postcard.

Tips:
Be brief - the fewer words used the better.
Be legible - use big, clear and bold lettering.
Be creative - let the postcard be your canvas.

PostSecret began as an experimental Blogspot on January 1, 2005. Frank Warren started by advertising his project through fliers and announcements in the DC area. It is now a nation-wide project, also considered one of the top sites online. It is now updated every Sunday and displayed with approximately 20-40 new postcards each week. PostSecret has collected over 2,500 original artistic postcards mailed in from all over the country. International followers have also been known to send in their secrets.

It is an online confessional of sorts and was designed to not only relieve people of the burden of carrying around secrets, but also to let others know that they aren't alone in their practice of unorthodox habits and strange quirks. Some people go there for comic relief or a sobering step into reality. Either way, PostSecret is there for you.

If you're interested, mail your secrets to:

PostSecret

13345 Copper Ridge Road

Germantown, Maryland

USA 20874-3454

__________

"For the last year, since I discovered PostSecret, I've been writing a different secret on every one dollar bill I get. When one makes it back. I'll send it to you."

Re: "I think I have one of your dollar bills."

__________

"I give decaf to customers who are rude to me." (Written on a Starbucks cup)

__________

-----Email Message-----

Subject: deployment

I am a Soldier. I am a parent. I have been deployed. You might be surprised to learn your Dad's biggest fear isn't dying; it's being away from you.

What do people fear the most?

While many say that people fear failure the most, I have to say that people most fear consequences. Failure is a consequence, so I support that claim, but I'm broadening it.

People most fear the consequences of their actions. Everything we, as people, do has a result, be it good or bad, we fear the bad result. We fear the repercussions. I hate to say that every bad result that transpires is our fault, because it isn't, but the result always has something to do with what we did. And people don't like to take blame, it acknowledges their faults and, generally, that's not something to go around advertising.

Addressing Nick's statement that people tend to hesitate, I believe that people tend to hold back and refrain from doing some of the things they really want to do, because they are afraid that the result won't be the one they imagined. An unexpected situation is not as welcome as one pre-planned or anticipated. Ultimately, they fear unfavorable outcome, the one that feeds on the rest of their fears and doubts.

Riddle

I wrote this a while ago, and I finally decided to put it up here.
Can you solve it?

I am not alive,
Yet I can dance and die.
I can be used or abused,
But always caged,
For if you set me free,
I may be the last thing you see.

Big or small,
Either I chill or thrill your heart,
If you get too close,
I will leave my mark.

I am hot as I can be cold,
No mercy, no remorse,
For the young or old.

Tale-spinners spin me,
Into their wildest tales,
For good or evil,
Hope or despair,
In some small way,
I am usually there.

I can play a part in celebration,
And in death.
Now you know me well enough,
So throw me your best guess.

RE: Aaron (Tigers) On Fate

I agree that some things happen for a reason, but I also believe in cause and effect. Not everything is the result of a higher power. As for fate, I believe in fate for certain things, but not everything, otherwise we would be completely powerless. Like puppets, controlled and jerked around, dancing to someone's tune. I don't like the idea that I have no control over anything in my life, so I choose not to believe it. If the choices we face everyday mean nothing, then why do we care so much? If they mean nothing, then everything that happens is inevitable. We couldn't have stopped or changed anything; then why do we regret? And why do we wonder "what if?" There is really no point as long as fate surrounds us, an all-encompassing power. Our life, our existence, our decisions and choices, our faith and religion; they have no meaning, no significance. Therefore, I choose to believe that things don't happen because of fate alone, that we do have a say in some things. That's not to say that I've completely written fate off my copious list of things I'm inclined to believe in. I haven't. Sometimes I feel fate is responsible for certain things, just not everything. I suppose if I were a devoted full-time advocate of fate, I'd say that it shapes the fundamental structure of the way things could be. I don't believe that fate means there is one set path that the entire universe is, inevitably, forced to take. I think there are many roads that one could take, depending on their actions and choices.

Addressing Aaron's statement that he uses "the fact that fate exists to get [him] through hardships," I'd like to say that my way of overcoming hardships is quite divergent. This is probably because I don't fully believe in fate, or anything else for that matter. If I went with Aaron's way of conduct, I'd probably be broken and fragile still because I wouldn't have fought back. With his thinking, I'd have accepted anything that happened to me without question, attributing it only to my mere belief in fate. I wouldn't have tried to figure out the root of the problem, maybe missing the entire lesson I was supposed to have learned from the whole ordeal. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that his belief is bad; just that we are different people, with different mannerisms and beliefs, and his approach would never have worked for me. Usually, if I'm in the right state of mind, I tend to analyze my situation. I go over my options of actions and consequences, weighing the two. That and I repeat the mantra, "what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger," like a prayer in my head.

Question

What do people fear the most?

I know my answer (and maybe one day I'll tell you), what's yours? And I don't mean what do you fear. That would be weird...