Gen Y Loophole : lost in a unknown crazy world ???

I jacked this from the Planetary Society. Its very humbling.

2009-06-06T13:51:00.001-05:00

Space Topics: Voyager

An Excerpt from A Pale Blue Dot

by Carl Sagan
Co-founder of The Planetary Society
1994

Credit: NASA / JPL

This excerpt from A Pale Blue Dot was inspired by an image taken, at Sagan's suggestion, by Voyager 1 on February 14, 1990. As the spacecraft left our planetary neighborhood for the fringes of the solar system, engineers turned it around for one last look at its home planet. Voyager 1 was about 6.4 billion kilometers (4 billion miles) away, and approximately 32 degrees above the ecliptic plane, when it captured this portrait of our world. Caught in the center of scattered light rays (a result of taking the picture so close to the Sun), Earth appears as a tiny point of light, a crescent only 0.12 pixel in size.

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Look again at that dot. That's here. That's home. That's us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives. The aggregate of our joy and suffering, thousands of confident religions, ideologies, and economic doctrines, every hunter and forager, every hero and coward, every creator and destroyer of civilization, every king and peasant, every young couple in love, every mother and father, hopeful child, inventor and explorer, every teacher of morals, every corrupt politician, every "superstar," every "supreme leader," every saint and sinner in the history of our species lived there--on a mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam.

The Earth is a very small stage in a vast cosmic arena. Think of the rivers of blood spilled by all those generals and emperors so that, in glory and triumph, they could become the momentary masters of a fraction of a dot. Think of the endless cruelties visited by the inhabitants of one corner of this pixel on the scarcely distinguishable inhabitants of some other corner, how frequent their misunderstandings, how eager they are to kill one another, how fervent their hatreds.

Our posturings, our imagined self-importance, the delusion that we have some privileged position in the Universe, are challenged by this point of pale light. Our planet is a lonely speck in the great enveloping cosmic dark. In our obscurity, in all this vastness, there is no hint that help will come from elsewhere to save us from ourselves.

The Earth is the only world known so far to harbor life. There is nowhere else, at least in the near future, to which our species could migrate. Visit, yes. Settle, not yet. Like it or not, for the moment the Earth is where we make our stand.

It has been said that astronomy is a humbling and character-building experience. There is perhaps no better demonstration of the folly of human conceits than this distant image of our tiny world. To me, it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another, and to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we've ever known.

-- Carl Sagan, Pale Blue Dot, 1994

The Gustapo has landed.

2009-03-29T15:23:00.003-05:00

The G-Parents flew in from Belize, CA on friday. I picked them up at the IAH Bush Airport. They were of course travel fatigued, but it was enormously good to see them. They are my world. They helped raise me and for all entinsive purposes they are my parents. It was great to see them. I dont like the fact the are gone 4 months at a time, but hey if it keeps them young and happy. Go for it I say. You only live once, and when Im 80 i hope I get to do what I want to do. Those people down there give them a purpose, their family in the States doesnt carry that same weight. They havc a purpose and a mission when they are down there. The United States only gives them frustration. Myself included. I guess I am slightly greedy for wanting them all to myself. They are so loving, caring, and they help me so much. I would go crazy without them.

Im just a college student living my life, why do we need labels?

2009-03-22T15:21:00.008-05:00

I do not know why things tend to go a certain way. A random text message invitation to hang out, innocent enough right? Then an invitation to go to a concert? I has just had three tests and I did well so I said heck yeah. Good times, good drinks, and good environments later, you have a typical outcome. I will not go into too much detail, but it was an adult ending to an adult night.

The thing is I did not plan on this happening and I am not upset it did. But why do we feel the need to explain or classify our statuses? Why does this action need to be explained or elaborated on?

Why can't we just say we had fun and go from there? Why does everything have to be defined, why must I go through the awkwardness? ARG!

Getting in shape for me and my father and my manhood

2009-03-19T14:49:00.004-05:00

One of the self improvment projects I started over spring break is a vigorous workout program. I plan on not only getting in shape, but also I plan on getting ripped. I am allready in a decent shape, but I want to be able to to be happy with my body when I take my shirt off this summer. I have been working out every other day. I am starting to notice results in my arms and now I am starting the chest so I can stay balanced.

I started this in conjunction with drinking less coke and more water. SO far I am noticed a little improvement, if only my father figures in my life could see this , they wouldnt make fun of my ass anymore! That was my main motivation for starting this. I went to see my dad while he was in Houston for the weekend. He ragged me for being scrawny and he didnt want his son being pushed around. I took it pretty hard, the hardest person to take critizism from is your dad if you a man that is. Because it he is half you and if hes making fun of you then he has a right too. So I went to wal-mart and bought some weight gainer/creatine and started humping it. For my size I think Im doing pretty good.

I got to work my pecs more heh.

Being put down by your dad is hard to handle its like an attack on our manhood.

So here I come dad.....

Spring Break is almost over............ bout time

2009-03-15T16:57:00.004-05:00

Tomorrow school starts back up again and I am relieved. Spring break always brings up feelings I don't particularly enjoy. Idle time make the mind wonder from its goals and from reality. I just don't like it. It messes up the schedule and rhythm of the year. Now I am going to have to get back into the groove, or should I say create a new groove (starting some self improving life changes).

This spring break I was lonely, real lonely. I realized how much my life has changed now living in Beaumont. My old friends that I had from my high school days here in Southeast Texas have all moved, gotten married, or failed to evolve from their high school state of mind. These three things have successfully depleted my friend reserves. Also, the friends I have made on campus here were of course all gone for the break.

The result was a lonely, random, thought provoking, and self reflecting week. I have thought of some ways to improve my life. I wont bloviate about that here, yet. One thing that was relatively nice about Spring Break is how quiet and peaceful it was on campus. That's changing as the onslaught of returning students has disrupted my serenity. An invasion of irrational, over horomoned, and rowdy students that are more concerned about their lives then their school. I'm not saying that people shouldn't have fun, but please take into considerations the people who are here to go to school in a peaceful environment. People that live on campus should be the most studious. I don't think that is the case though.

Back to the grind babe.

Lyrics that move me..... Music keeps me sane.

2009-03-13T16:00:00.007-05:00

Artist: Lustral

Song: Broken

In every heart there is regret
But they soon repair and don't forget
The deepest songs that life then fears
Through the pain, through the years
These are the thoughts that I conceal
Though my eyes can't hide the way I feel
There are no angels at my side
I am weak, I am tired

Because I miss you
You know it's true
I am broken
Do you miss me too?
Can we recapture
The life we knew?
I am broken
I am missing you

I am afraid of what I see
When my world is safe, what I dream
I do not shed a single tear
When I sleep, you are here

Artist: Oxygen
Title: Am I On Your Mind

Am I somewhere in the corners of your mind?
Do you see me when you close your eyes at night?
I will love you 'till the sun no longer shines
Am I far away or am I on your mind?

Artist: Ligaya

Song: Gouryella

This is the first day of my life
For once I'm sure
That this is where I long to be
No need to know
If there is something more than this
No need to go
Cause there is nothing more than this
My future is so clear
Cause everything's right here
Inside of me
Inside of me

Artist: Lustral

Song: Everytime I close my eyes

Can you hear me,
Talking in my mind.
I can feel you,
You're with me all the time.

Everytime I close my eyes,
I see your face.
Everytime I close my eyes,
I see your face

There's a warm sky,
covering the night.
In the darkness,
I only feel the light.
Everytime I close my eyes,
I see your face.
Everytime I close my eyes,
I see your face.
Everytime I close my eyes,
I see your face.

When I'm lonely,
your voice is in my head.
And my memory feeds my soul,
with all the things you've said.

Everytime I close my eyes,
I see your face.
Everytime I close my eyes,
I see your face.

Everytime I close my eyes,
I see your face.

Artist: Sarah McLachlan

Song: I love you

I have a smile

Stretched from ear to ear

To see you walking down the road

We meet at the lights I stare for a while

The world around us disappears

It's just you and me

On the island of hope

A breath between us

could be miles

Let me surround you

My sea to your shore

Let me be the calm you seek

Oh and every time

I'm close to you

There's too much

I can't say

And you just walk away

And I forgot

To tell you

I love you

And the night's Too long

And cold here

Without you

I grieve in my condition

For I cannot find the words to say

I need you so

Oh and every time

I'm close to you

There's too much

I can't say

And you just walk away

And I forgot

To tell you I love you

And the night's

Too long

And cold here

Without you

I grieve in my condition

For I cannot find the words to say

I need you so

Spring Break....

2009-03-06T17:48:00.003-06:00

Spring Break.

The word brings conflicting emotions. A week of time to kill is kind of scary. I have been in such a routine that this will be completely foreign to me. Spring break brings life to a stop. The University provides my schooling and my job.

Staying busy is what keeps me sane, considering I have not established a network of friends at this school yet. Guess that's my fault. I have a few friends, but not very many that stay on campus. Most people on campus, this including my roommate are more concerned with their social life than their educations. I guess that's the problem with being a 23(24 in May) year old still in undergraduate school.

They might be where I am one day. When I was 18-21 I did not care about my education either.

Live and Learn. Usually the hard way.

Always wanted to be a star!

2009-02-21T19:32:00.004-06:00

Brookhaven College is a 2 year community college in Dallas County, Texas. I went there for a semester while living in Dallas last year. They did a shoot in one of my classrooms and asked us questions. I never knew it would be on the internet! Haha. Awesome. I forgot how short my hair was then.

Looking up and out

2009-02-17T19:03:00.002-06:00

(as I jam old school Paul Van Dyk, Global CD)

Once again my hopes have been raised. I will start working on the research project this semester.I was under the thought that I would ahve to wait till next semester to work with her. Also, I have been given some insight into forming AKD at Lamar, the honor society for Sociology. I have also gotten an A on my first Social Theory Test, WTF!!!! This and also my professor knows how determined I am to get into graduate school, she is gonna help me. Most likely with scholarships as well. Heck yeah! It pays to be determined and optimistic, and also, at risk of ruining my non-existent social profile, department pet. I think I used too many commas in that sentence. :D

My professor has so much interest in me that she gave me her Research Methods Book, WTF! I love it. I have not even had that class yet, next semester I will. She gave me the info on AKD, and also she is using me during open house to try to recruit more sociologists. haha. awesome. I love how things are falling in place for me, finally, it is happening to me , right in front of my face, I just cannot hide it.

Showing maturity and renforcing myself.

2009-02-12T13:58:00.004-06:00

It did not take long for my college professor to put a lid on my optimism. She told me my chances of getting accepted as a sophomore were small. But, she said If I worked with her closely next semester on her research project then I could have a far better chance of being in next years program at UT. This was encouraging because at least I will be a part of the departments research here on campus. I feel the need to use my knowledge. That is one of the principal reaons I am pushing so hard for the Sociology Student Association(SSA) to be established here on campus.

Not only that but an english paper I wrote must not have been properly saved by me. I dont have the current revised version on my comp, so I AM HAVING TO RETYPE IT!

ARG!

I hate doing work twice. :(

My fault tho, no one to blame but myself.

The future is only a moment away!

2009-02-11T21:54:00.006-06:00

Today my Social Theory professor informed me about an opportunity to go to the University of Texas for the summer. It would be a all expenses paid research project directed by the University of Texas' Population Research Center. I would get credit hours towards my degree plan and make valuable contacts at UT if I plan on going to Graduate School there. If I was accepted, I would definitely plan on going to UT. Now If I do not get accepted for the program I will probably be peer advising the incoming freshmen this summer. I apparently did well in the group interview, because out of 6 people in the group, they at least called me for a second. Although, I don't know If any of the others made it. I am excited as I love helping people in general, and helping fellow students even more. High School is a joke now days and even more so in Southeast Texas. These kids are in for a rude awakening, and I want to be able to help them cope.

It really is unforunate that the schools are in the condition they are in. They were bad when I went through them 6 years ago. Wow, six years since I was a senor in High School. How time flys. When I reflect on these past 6 years, the first thing I think is how much time I have wasted. I then think about how I am so much better prepared for life in general now then I was back then though. I am grateful for my families support and encouragement. I am also lucky to be as priviledged as I am.

College Engagement and SSA/SGA/STARS

2009-02-09T19:19:00.002-06:00

Lately, I have become more and more entrenched in academia. I am not complaining. I quit wal-mart after I was accepted into the STARS program at Lamar University. I will be tutoring students and running a study hall for the athletes that need it. So, basically I am now employed by LU. I don't have to leave campus to go to school or work. Tomorrow I will also interview to be a Peer Advisor. I like helping people, and I like to make it easier for these bright students to apply themselves and use their higher level thinking capabilities.

On a separate but related note, we have officially reestablished the Sociology Students Association at the University. SSA, as it will be known, will be a club for sociology majors, minors, and those interested in the field. I will be the webmaster/historian and also a founding member. I am so excited about being apart of something bigger than myself. I believe being engaged in school activities increases success in life. I am also attending the Student Government Association meetings. Fun stuff. Now if I could just find a girlfriend :)

I know this is old, but I thought it was HILARIOUS.

2009-01-27T03:26:00.001-06:00

http://www.palinaspresident.us/

enjoy all you nonexistent readers.

dorm life and the future

2009-01-24T17:29:00.005-06:00

A few things.

I am beginning to like living at the dorms with a few exceptions.

First thing is that the Internet is slow here. Second thing is that I don't like how I can hear my neighbors, which mind you, are college students and so very loud, and likely to party, or have loud music. But I get to call the CA(kinda like the dorm managers) and they will make them be quiet. I don't like doing it, but I'm 23,and paying a lot of money to live/go to school here, and I don't wanna be up till 3 in the morning from someones stereo.

Now a few things I like.

First, I love the university life. Studying and going to school is enjoyable to me. Second, I am learning about new cultures. Third, I am meeting new people and discovering more about myself.

I am also gaining a stronger connection with black people. They are the dominate group here at this school, and me being a nerdy white boy, I am learning to appreciate and learn how to interact with them. Not something I would be able to do living on my own.

Now.

I really want to engage in the student life more than I am now. I want to get involved in the university's programs and organizations. But I work too much for that. So I am still debating on wither I should take out student loans and just not work while in school. I also just realized that I will not be able to persure my master here at Lamar University because they have no M.A. program here. I will have to go to UT in Austin, or another state in order to furfill my goal of a M.A. or Ph.D. Oklahoma University has a MA and Ph.D program, and its relatively close ehhh! This is still 2 years away from me having to worry though. Btw, in case you don't know. My major is Sociology.

Wow, alot has changed in a few weeks.

2009-01-15T13:29:00.002-06:00

I got fired from Office Depot.

I am now employed at Wal-Mart (ug).

I met a girl, we are dating, her name is Kortney.

I am now living at and going to Lamar University.

18 hours of courses

ENGLISH - 1302

SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY - 4390

COMPLEX SOCIAL PROBLEMS - 1306

AMER. GOVT. - 2301

SPANISH - 1311

JUVENILE DELINQUENCY - 3390

I am thinking about quitting my job and just living on campus off financial aid. I am not getting paid enough to kill myself like this.

We will see

I am transitioning into my new living arrangments

2008-12-24T10:35:00.001-06:00

So I wont Be blogging for a bit. I wont move into my new dorm room until Jan. 11.
That means I will have no internet except when I go to the library until then. The blog posts may come a bit slower until then. Thanks!

Life is ironic.

2008-12-18T18:21:00.002-06:00

I went into a Office Depot today in Carrollton(I work for the company) to fax my application to live on campus at Lamar University. Well, while inside filling out my paperwork I notice a beautiful woman sales associate. She really caught my attention and I talked to the man helping me about her. Turns out she didn't have a boyfriend, and knowing that I was moving soon, I bargained in my head about "having nothing to lose". Well, I went up to talk to her about buying something and she showed me where it was in the store, I then preceded to ask her out on a date and for her number, I'm sure I sounded cheesy and I'm sure she was annoyed. Well, she accepted and gave me her number, which I was sure was fake. She told me to text her because she doesn't answer the phone when the number is unknown. So I did, and she called me! We talked on the phone for about 10-15 minutes and we made plans to hang out tonight. Go figure. Now, I do have something to lose, she knows I'm moving to Beaumont, so we will see where this goes, at the very least, I will have a new friend. A smart beautiful headstrong friend that could possibly be more. From our conversation she seems to be a lot like the other girls I have dated in my days.

I have always liked head strong and independent women. I want a woman who doesn't require me to emotionally babysit her. I'm excited. I hope things go smoothly tonight, I do have a natural ability to get awkward and unconfident.

Taking less money and swallowing pride for a better future return for success and happiness.

2008-12-16T22:19:00.005-06:00

I live in Carrollton, TX. I go to Brookhaven College which is part of Dallas Community Colleges. Its a good school but it is not the big league. I am getting close to having to transfer to a 4 year university so that I can finish my school. Dallas is expensive, relative to Texas anyway. I made a decision to return to Beaumont to go to Lamar University.

PLUSES:

Good school, close to home, cheap to live, close to the family, security net

NEGATIVES:

Close to home, close to family, no jobs

I know that If I go to school at Lamar University, close to my family that I will have my safety net that I have been denying myself and most likely succeed in college. But I will have to swallow my pride and take a huge cut in pay. From 15 dollars an hour to 9.35 an hour. I believe this will be good for me in the long run as my education will compensate once I complete school. At least, this is my hope. I am 23, and basically a sophomore, I am behind and I need to catch up.

I believe that my lack of drive for school has given me exceptional life experiences that I cannot replace. I believe these make me appreciate my chance at school even more. My rise and fall in the party world, my failed but passionate marriage, my failed retail journey which makes me want to get my degree even more. I have learned through my experience in retail management that I care for people too much to cheat them. I want to TEACH and mentor them. I believe my new life goal is to get my doctorate so that I can teach my whole life. I believe it is my calling, my passion, and my life's ultimate end. I have sorta new this all along, I just now realize that I can only achieve it one way, and that is to just buckle down and get it done. Pride and self be damned, I have to sacrifice if I want to achieve my end means.

One thing is for sure....

2008-12-16T00:45:00.002-06:00

If there is only one thing I could take away from the "Economic Crisis" it would have to be this.

The only safeguard against unpredicability of the world is education. Being able to understand the world and plan to accommodate for it are only possible with education.

The uneducated "Reserve worker" is the first person to be cut from the economic engine. Having an education and a skill that is unreplicatible is only safeguard against unemployement. 9 out of ten times thats aquired through education. You are not born with abilties that will keep you employed, unless you work in a sexual field, and even that can require training.... LOL

This world is unfair to be sure, the best weapon you can have is an education.

Hi World, Im glad to meet you! Do you return the favor?

2008-12-15T01:54:00.001-06:00

I am Terry Joe Longshore Jr.
Now enough with the formalities. Call me TJ if you like. I am a 23 year old male from Texas. I currently reside in Carrollton, TX and I am planning a move to Lamar University in Beaumont, TX. I am a sociology major with various interests in history, politics, and cultures. I like electronic, dance, and pop music. I am a generic white boy with a unique history( allthough everyones life is unique, cliche). I have experienced several different lifestyles and paths. From being a troubled teen, to religious zealot, to new age hippie/raver, to college student, to marriage, to full time worker, and currently I discribe myself as a third time around college student who thinks he got it right this time.

I am excited about my field of study and I cant wait to talk to my fellow sociologists. BTW, Forgive my bad spelling, for it is not a strength of mine. While Lamar University may not be harvard, it is Harvard on the Neches. Dun Dun Dun.

Now,
How do you meet blogmates on here?

Myspace and Facebook dont quite satisfy me for some reason.

2008-12-15T01:50:00.000-06:00

and it goes without saying, I hopefully wont get the random messages or friend requests here. But, that has yet to be proven.

I hope blogger.com meets my ever changing high expectations that vary from day to day. My mood and my temperment towards any given subject can vary from day to day.