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Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Self-Indulgence: Contractions Are for Pregnant Women, and Shouldn't Be Used When Writing.
The title explains my post for the day, and the point I was trying to make.
The way we all speak as we engage in verbal conversation is hilarious, but atrocious. If most people actually wrote the way they speak, we would all be in serious trouble. Lucy would: "have some 'splaining to do!" LOL!
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Self-Indulgence: Extra, Extra...Read All About It!
Any chance I get to earn extra credit in any of my courses I have taken, but government has been the course in which I have earned more of those credits because I enjoy partaking in anything related to politics. I have already attended a couple of events on our beautiful campus with my professor and a handful of other students. One of the events was a town hall meeting, and our respective State Senator (district 31) was the guest speaker.
Earlier this evening, Sara and I attended another awesome event with Vicente Fox and his wife Marta. Mr. Fox is a former President of Mexico. The lecture (part of a lecture series at Midland College) and Q&A lasted about an hour and a half, but it was well worth it. Mr. Fox had so much to talk about and so much to teach us, his neighbors to the north, and I hope many attendees listened as carefully as Sara and I did.
Earlier this evening, Sara and I attended another awesome event with Vicente Fox and his wife Marta. Mr. Fox is a former President of Mexico. The lecture (part of a lecture series at Midland College) and Q&A lasted about an hour and a half, but it was well worth it. Mr. Fox had so much to talk about and so much to teach us, his neighbors to the north, and I hope many attendees listened as carefully as Sara and I did.
Sunday, September 14, 2014
Self-Indulgence: The A, B and Cs of College: Alright, Better, and Crazy (in a good way)!
College has been going well. It has only been about four weeks since I began my trek back to the land of higher education, and I have no complaints. My classmates have been awesome, and I have managed to make some friends. I have even become part of some study groups, but I have yet to try to get involved with any social clubs. Maybe next semester I will delve into the world of social clubbing, but for now, I have my hands full with all my courses. I am only taking 14 hours this semester, plus, I have officially declared my major to be in ATS/IT with the intent to receive a BAT. The other non-computer classes are only going to enhance the knowledge I already have, respectively, and it has definitely been worth while for me to have returned to college.
I want to add that all my professors have also been outstanding, friendly, inclusive, and a joy to be around. They each have such different teaching techniques, which I love and appreciate. Their different personalities and teaching styles have helped me learn to adapt at becoming more flexible with my own style of learning. I have taken time to become acquainted with all my instructors. I may not have done as such in my youth, but at present time and present age, I want to get familiar with them. I want to give them the opportunity to get to know me, too. They are so lucky. LOL. It is all good.
My computer professor is a riot, but she is extremely knowledgeable in computer programming so I try to pick her brain with questions as much as possible. My English professor is also fun to be around. She has helped me improve my writing skills so much in just the short four weeks of being in her class. My grammar has also improved along with my MLA. Soon I will learn APA and maybe Turabian for future history classes. My algebra instructor has helped me improve my mathematical skills more than I ever thought possible. She is also an excellent teacher, and has a lot of patience and empathy for all her students. Last, but not least, is my government professor. He has a PhD in history, and he is extremely knowledgeable in all things government and /or politics. I really enjoy my discussions with him before or after class. I especially like the discussions we have around other students because I like to see how they all interact. It serves as a reminder that none of us knows everything, and that we can always learn something different if we allow ourselves to do so.
I want to add that all my professors have also been outstanding, friendly, inclusive, and a joy to be around. They each have such different teaching techniques, which I love and appreciate. Their different personalities and teaching styles have helped me learn to adapt at becoming more flexible with my own style of learning. I have taken time to become acquainted with all my instructors. I may not have done as such in my youth, but at present time and present age, I want to get familiar with them. I want to give them the opportunity to get to know me, too. They are so lucky. LOL. It is all good.
My computer professor is a riot, but she is extremely knowledgeable in computer programming so I try to pick her brain with questions as much as possible. My English professor is also fun to be around. She has helped me improve my writing skills so much in just the short four weeks of being in her class. My grammar has also improved along with my MLA. Soon I will learn APA and maybe Turabian for future history classes. My algebra instructor has helped me improve my mathematical skills more than I ever thought possible. She is also an excellent teacher, and has a lot of patience and empathy for all her students. Last, but not least, is my government professor. He has a PhD in history, and he is extremely knowledgeable in all things government and /or politics. I really enjoy my discussions with him before or after class. I especially like the discussions we have around other students because I like to see how they all interact. It serves as a reminder that none of us knows everything, and that we can always learn something different if we allow ourselves to do so.
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
Dora's Corner: Domestic Violence!
I have been gone for a while, but I have had good reasons. A return to college to finally pursue that one degree in Computer Engineering that has long eluded me. But, that is not the reason for my rant-of-the-day; today's rant is on a topic which I am much too familiar with, and that is no lie.
It is in relation to one Ray Rice -- you know who he is by now -- he is the ex-player for the NFL's Baltimore Ravens. He is especially now known as a bully, a coward and a woman beater. No, I won't go into details about the case stemming from the elevator-incident because you should already be familiar with the story. If you are not, I will give you a one-time pardon, and at least share a link with you where you may read about it: Ray Rice via TMZ.com: Ray Rice Elevator Knockout: Fiancee Takes Crushing Punch (Video)
My take on the entire disgusting event is simply this, why do people need to have a public figure, like Rice, to remind them of domestic violence. This violence does not just happen to the "rich and famous," it happens to everyone. I guess it is time to "wake the sleeping giant" once again.
Furthermore, the NFL and its Commissioner, Roger Goodell, got it so wrong from the beginning. They finally set things right as of yesterday by enacting new policies regarding domestic violence for all NFL players going forward. It bans a player for a certain amount of games for a first offense, and a lifetime ban for a second offense. Yes, that is a good start, and, yes, better late than never, but...
Ray Rice is one of thousands (if not millions) of people who are too quick to hit another person. To me, that is a raw definition of a coward. Going forward, women (or anyone) who are in abusive relationships need to seek help or perhaps they need help. Most often anyone who is being beaten lacks self-esteem. He or she often wonders why this is happening to him or her, but instead of getting out of the relationship, they stay in believing that the person who is abusing him or her will change. Many times the victim ponders with the question, "what am I doing wrong!" That is sad, but I can relate to it. Anyway...let's stop being a society that has to see a famous person do something so abhorrent (like what Rice did) before we remember how many awful things are happening outside our front doors.
It is in relation to one Ray Rice -- you know who he is by now -- he is the ex-player for the NFL's Baltimore Ravens. He is especially now known as a bully, a coward and a woman beater. No, I won't go into details about the case stemming from the elevator-incident because you should already be familiar with the story. If you are not, I will give you a one-time pardon, and at least share a link with you where you may read about it: Ray Rice via TMZ.com: Ray Rice Elevator Knockout: Fiancee Takes Crushing Punch (Video)
My take on the entire disgusting event is simply this, why do people need to have a public figure, like Rice, to remind them of domestic violence. This violence does not just happen to the "rich and famous," it happens to everyone. I guess it is time to "wake the sleeping giant" once again.
Furthermore, the NFL and its Commissioner, Roger Goodell, got it so wrong from the beginning. They finally set things right as of yesterday by enacting new policies regarding domestic violence for all NFL players going forward. It bans a player for a certain amount of games for a first offense, and a lifetime ban for a second offense. Yes, that is a good start, and, yes, better late than never, but...
Ray Rice is one of thousands (if not millions) of people who are too quick to hit another person. To me, that is a raw definition of a coward. Going forward, women (or anyone) who are in abusive relationships need to seek help or perhaps they need help. Most often anyone who is being beaten lacks self-esteem. He or she often wonders why this is happening to him or her, but instead of getting out of the relationship, they stay in believing that the person who is abusing him or her will change. Many times the victim ponders with the question, "what am I doing wrong!" That is sad, but I can relate to it. Anyway...let's stop being a society that has to see a famous person do something so abhorrent (like what Rice did) before we remember how many awful things are happening outside our front doors.
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Dora's Corner: Love Is Love (Or Not): Somebody That I Used To Know!
The song, in the title of this post, resonates so many disturbing feelings of love-lost for me. An ex of mine should really listen to this song if she has not done so already. If she has heard it, I really hope that she not just knows the words -- but understands them. I hope that she thinks of me/us every single time that she listens to it.
Unrequited love -- on her behalf or mine -- not certain, perhaps we are both equally to blame for being involved in a relationship that was not a good fit for either of us. Perhaps we should have just remained "best friends!" Perhaps we should have never been involved in each other's lives at all. Better off never having met. If fate had it as such that we were to meet; first as co-workers, turned best friends, then intimate; then perhaps one of us should have just ended things a lot sooner than we did. Perhaps we should have remained the kind of friends who just hang out to have a good time and nothing more. Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps...
I must admit that I do often think of the friendship we shared at first, and I admit that I miss that person; the best friend whom took care of me and vice versa. After a while, when the friendship turned intimate, things between us became muddled and toxic, but we somehow managed to salvage, what I thought, was still a sound friendship; best friends for once and forever -- or so I thought.
Unrequited love -- on her behalf or mine -- not certain, perhaps we are both equally to blame for being involved in a relationship that was not a good fit for either of us. Perhaps we should have just remained "best friends!" Perhaps we should have never been involved in each other's lives at all. Better off never having met. If fate had it as such that we were to meet; first as co-workers, turned best friends, then intimate; then perhaps one of us should have just ended things a lot sooner than we did. Perhaps we should have remained the kind of friends who just hang out to have a good time and nothing more. Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps...
I must admit that I do often think of the friendship we shared at first, and I admit that I miss that person; the best friend whom took care of me and vice versa. After a while, when the friendship turned intimate, things between us became muddled and toxic, but we somehow managed to salvage, what I thought, was still a sound friendship; best friends for once and forever -- or so I thought.
Gotye's song, "Someone That I Used To Know," is the quintessential soliloquy, if you will, of how I actually felt when I was involved with that person of long ago. Although we did put an end to the intimate side of our relationship (on mutual and amicable terms), we remained best friends for a long time. However, not long after we each moved away and seldom saw one another, she decided to cut me off. That was almost 20 years ago. Til this day, I am uncertain why she did what she did (cutting me off). She has given me rather vague reasons for doing as such -- but never any sound ones.
All I know is that now, for me, she really is... just somebody that I used to know.
All I know is that now, for me, she really is... just somebody that I used to know.
This song is for you, "Someone!"
[Verse 1: Gotye]
Now and then I think of when we were together
Like when you said you felt so happy you could die
Told myself that you were right for me
But felt so lonely in your company
But that was love and it's an ache I still remember
[Verse 2: Gotye]
You can get addicted to a certain kind of sadness
Like resignation to the end, always the end
So when we found that we could not make sense
Well you said that we would still be friends
But I'll admit that I was glad it was over
[Chorus: Gotye]
But you didn't have to cut me off
Make out like it never happened and that we were nothing
And I don't even need your love
But you treat me like a stranger and that feels so rough
No you didn't have to stoop so low
Have your friends collect your records and then change your number
I guess that I don't need that though
Now you're just somebody that I used to know
Now you're just somebody that I used to know
Now you're just somebody that I used to know
[Verse 3: Kimbra]
Now and then I think of all the times you screwed me over
But had me believing it was always something that I'd done
But I don't wanna live that way
Reading into every word you say
You said that you could let it go
And I wouldn't catch you hung up on somebody that you used to know
[Chorus: Gotye]
But you didn't have to cut me off
Make out like it never happened and that we were nothing
And I don't even need your love
But you treat me like a stranger and that feels so rough
And you didn't have to stoop so low
Have your friends collect your records and then change your number
I guess that I don't need that though
Now you're just somebody that I used to know
Somebody (I used to know)
Somebody ... Now you're just somebody that I used to know
Somebody (I used to know)
Somebody ... Now you're just somebody that I used to know
(I used to know)
(That I used to know)
(I used to know ... Somebody)
Now and then I think of when we were together
Like when you said you felt so happy you could die
Told myself that you were right for me
But felt so lonely in your company
But that was love and it's an ache I still remember
[Verse 2: Gotye]
You can get addicted to a certain kind of sadness
Like resignation to the end, always the end
So when we found that we could not make sense
Well you said that we would still be friends
But I'll admit that I was glad it was over
[Chorus: Gotye]
But you didn't have to cut me off
Make out like it never happened and that we were nothing
And I don't even need your love
But you treat me like a stranger and that feels so rough
No you didn't have to stoop so low
Have your friends collect your records and then change your number
I guess that I don't need that though
Now you're just somebody that I used to know
Now you're just somebody that I used to know
Now you're just somebody that I used to know
[Verse 3: Kimbra]
Now and then I think of all the times you screwed me over
But had me believing it was always something that I'd done
But I don't wanna live that way
Reading into every word you say
You said that you could let it go
And I wouldn't catch you hung up on somebody that you used to know
[Chorus: Gotye]
But you didn't have to cut me off
Make out like it never happened and that we were nothing
And I don't even need your love
But you treat me like a stranger and that feels so rough
And you didn't have to stoop so low
Have your friends collect your records and then change your number
I guess that I don't need that though
Now you're just somebody that I used to know
Somebody (I used to know)
Somebody ... Now you're just somebody that I used to know
Somebody (I used to know)
Somebody ... Now you're just somebody that I used to know
(I used to know)
(That I used to know)
(I used to know ... Somebody)
Thursday, June 5, 2014
Saturday, May 31, 2014
Thursday, May 29, 2014
Dora's Corner: Rest In Peace (#RIPMaya): Remembering A Legend--Maya Angelou.
...#RIPMaya "A lyrical person was she!"
Seldom does a person make such a positive impact on our lives these days! Seldom does anyone provoke others to justly stand up for the good of the masses; to oppose oppression against any one person, cause, or organization. Maya Angelou was just that kind of person who inspired and incited all of these wonderful things within us all. Her words (written or verbal) were beautiful, eloquent; always pertinent and relative to issues that plagued our world.
She was a rare gem in this jaded world of ours. She was one of my heroes.
She always encouraged others (especially women) to stand up and fight for themselves. However, she always stood ready to defend those whom needed representation regardless of gender, race, national origin, creed, religion, age, marital status, class, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or disability.
I admired her tenacity and her ability to not just tolerate others, but to accept us all as her equal. Never a negative word was said or written, by Maya, of another. If you had a negative remark to make about someone, she kindly reminded you to be mindful; those who could not were not welcome in her home. Maya did this because she firmly believed that the degrading of another person was the complete opposite of being a good person. Oh, how I especially admired her for taking that stance. Expletives and name-calling were not allowed in her home; though-out the years, it is not tolerated in mine.
Post by D Dominguez Yerac.
Seldom does a person make such a positive impact on our lives these days! Seldom does anyone provoke others to justly stand up for the good of the masses; to oppose oppression against any one person, cause, or organization. Maya Angelou was just that kind of person who inspired and incited all of these wonderful things within us all. Her words (written or verbal) were beautiful, eloquent; always pertinent and relative to issues that plagued our world.
She was a rare gem in this jaded world of ours. She was one of my heroes.
She always encouraged others (especially women) to stand up and fight for themselves. However, she always stood ready to defend those whom needed representation regardless of gender, race, national origin, creed, religion, age, marital status, class, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or disability.
I admired her tenacity and her ability to not just tolerate others, but to accept us all as her equal. Never a negative word was said or written, by Maya, of another. If you had a negative remark to make about someone, she kindly reminded you to be mindful; those who could not were not welcome in her home. Maya did this because she firmly believed that the degrading of another person was the complete opposite of being a good person. Oh, how I especially admired her for taking that stance. Expletives and name-calling were not allowed in her home; though-out the years, it is not tolerated in mine.
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
Dora's Corner: Supporting A Cause...To Boycott Or Not To Boycott (And Do We Really Need To Ask)!
...Lately, companies that are anti-LGBT anything just anger me. My partner and I therefore choose to boycott companies such as those. Anything that is against who we are is not something that we need nor want in our lives. Places like Chick-fil-A, Hobby Lobby are such places. For those very reasons and for not having any type of support or a mere inkling of compassion or understanding is why I, also, ban the catholic church. Sara is officially an Atheist and has been for several years. She is the most intelligent person I know for such a stance. I wish I could be more like her. A war with G-d is one which I have yet to wage. Believe me, I have plenty of reasons for such a war, but in the end, I find that it would just not be worth it. I am not sure how I feel about religion, but I have managed to keep my spirituality in tact. The other stuff will eventually get fixed--or perhaps not!
Anyway...Sara and I have several friends and some family members (mostly on Sara's side of the family) who support us without question. The family members and friends we have, plus those who are also members of the LGBT community, follow suit with certain boycotts of ours for obvious reasons. At the end of a very long, tiring day, why should any of us put up with nonsensical opinions of others. Having a dislike of LGBT persons is as bad as disliking people based on their color/ethnicity. If you are not LGBT, then you have no idea how difficult it is. And before I continue, it would be remiss of me to educate--or to remind everyone--that being homosexual is NOT a life-style. Being LGBT is who we are.
It is a difficult life as I have mentioned, so being (openly or not) part of the LGBT community is something that we have learned to cherish, guard and protect. If you do not like us, that is your right, but do not impede upon our rights. We have a right to gather, live and to shop anywhere we want to without having to put up with haters. In these United States, if you own a store, restaurant, team, anything that requires an ownership, you need to be ready to be open and accepting of every person you want as a customer, employee, etc... You cannot decide to go back 'pre-1964' and think that you can verbally place people at the back of a bus because once you start judging others, and you think it is 'your right' to publicly bash them, then that is when a group of people can boycott you until your place of business shuts down. I am aware that most boycotts do not lead to the closure of certain businesses, but it is our right to never patron there again. Even if likes of Chick-fil-A or other businesses change their views (in public, that is) regarding LGBT persons, Sara and I will never again eat there. It is a matter of principle, and if you do not have any principles, then we do not need or want you in our lives. Lest we try to even get you to understand.
It is a difficult life as I have mentioned, so being (openly or not) part of the LGBT community is something that we have learned to cherish, guard and protect. If you do not like us, that is your right, but do not impede upon our rights. We have a right to gather, live and to shop anywhere we want to without having to put up with haters. In these United States, if you own a store, restaurant, team, anything that requires an ownership, you need to be ready to be open and accepting of every person you want as a customer, employee, etc... You cannot decide to go back 'pre-1964' and think that you can verbally place people at the back of a bus because once you start judging others, and you think it is 'your right' to publicly bash them, then that is when a group of people can boycott you until your place of business shuts down. I am aware that most boycotts do not lead to the closure of certain businesses, but it is our right to never patron there again. Even if likes of Chick-fil-A or other businesses change their views (in public, that is) regarding LGBT persons, Sara and I will never again eat there. It is a matter of principle, and if you do not have any principles, then we do not need or want you in our lives. Lest we try to even get you to understand.
Sara's family has always been supportive of us and they boycott establishments that are anti-LGBT. We also have dear friends who do the same. Before I continue, let me add that all of us boycott anyone/anything (no just LGBT-haters) that hinders the rights of others and shows a disdain of anyone because of who they are. Personally, I wish I had stronger family members with the same honor-system and convictions to boycott these places. My late mother supported us, and in turn, boycotted with us. Many of my family members do not know the real story behind the reasons that mom had for boycotting the places/people that she did. Several of my family members would never be able to deal with the truth so I keep it between just a few handful of people. Bottom line is that I know, and that is the only thing that matters. I had a terrific, rare relationship with my mom that my family and most others do not understand. Mom was my friend, mother, protector, supporter; we shared a bond, a kinship, that I have yet to see shared in any other mother-daughter relationship. I cherish it, and I do not feel the need to injure or blight others with that fact. The last thing I wish to do is to cause hurt to others. If I told family-members these truths, they would crumble.
With that said about not wanting to hurt others--especially not family--then why do you suppose that certain family-members wish to hurt me. Saying that they support me and love me no matter what is no longer acceptable. Showing such support is the only way to prove their love, loyalty and allegiance. Going forward, all family members who know of my boycotts of anti-LGBT establishments is going to have to choose a side. They will either choose to continue to patronage these places or lose me. I would never support anything or anyone who was against someone I love so why should I accept anything different from family (rhetorical). I should not have to accept it.
When my family invites me to places (i.e. Hobby Lobby, Chick-fil-A) knowing why I boycott them, they should be ashamed. I accepted such an invite not long ago by a sister to go with her to Hobby Lobby, and I ended up being very disappointed in myself. I respect her as a sister, but it is apparent that she does not respect me or such a thought, much less the audacity to say it out loud, would have never entered her mind much less spewed from her mouth. As well as being disappointed in myself, I lost much respect for my sister that day, and the entire ordeal just made me sad. If I do not insist on getting respect from a sister, who knows my LGBT-plight, then I might as well not expect it from anyone else. So, for that reason (and hundreds more), I refuse to be quiet and mindful when I am invited somewhere that does not approve of who I am. I will also not be so kind when others keep patronizing anti-LGBT places, and especially when they admit it to me in a nonchalant-manner.
And please spare me the reasons why you do or do not boycott certain establishments. I assure you that the reasons you have are not like mine. I boycott for reasons that obstruct my rights as an LGBT person. Your boycotts are not done, I am certain, because it is hindering your right as a human being, as an American, etc... Your boycotts are against establishments that do not share in your convictions. Boycotting places like Sonic Drive-In because of their pro-choice views (or whatever) is clearly not the same as boycotting Chick-fil-A or Hobby Lobby who do not like homosexuals. Sonic is not threatening or impeding on your rights nor are they treading on your beliefs. I might admire you just a tad for your boycott if I knew that you were against any establishment that infringed upon anyone's rights and incited hatred. The latter commotion is exactly what Chick-fil-A and Hobby Lobby did. They incited hatred and tore people against one another.
The Chick-fil-A issue against the LGBT community created much strife in my own personal life. Certain cousins of mine came at me with a vengeance via Facebook; cowards that they are--they could not do such in person and to my face! Luckily I had many FB friends who came to my defense. In telling the story to some family members, most were appalled and even threatened to confront such cousins. I said that they did not need to defend me so they did not go forth with defending me against these cousins. Had roles been reversed, you better believe that I would have defended my family member no matter what!
Anyway, months later, after the Chick-fil-A written-thrashing I received, after getting FB de-friended/deleted/blocked, you would think that the family members, who knew about all of this CFA-controversy, would have my back...but they DO NOT! They still eat at Chick-fil-A (and shop at Hobby Lobby to add) without batting an eye and without hiding the fact.
Anyway, months later, after the Chick-fil-A written-thrashing I received, after getting FB de-friended/deleted/blocked, you would think that the family members, who knew about all of this CFA-controversy, would have my back...but they DO NOT! They still eat at Chick-fil-A (and shop at Hobby Lobby to add) without batting an eye and without hiding the fact.
It is like they have no shame or honor or for sure they lack loyalty. If that is how they feel, then I am not just disappointed in them, but I am disturbed and disgusted by their actions. One day you will know how it feels to have someone/something dislike you just because of who you are. Remember me when it does happen. Remember that you did little or nothing to support me when I endured such dislike simply because of who I am and who I love. Remember that you were one of the people whom I loved. You should have supported me completely when others were bashing me. If you find yourself alone, after you are bashed for whom you are, remember how you did nothing to support me...remember me!
Just my take for the day!
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