don't hate- communicate

I hate it when people try to shove their views down my throat, like they're right and I'm wrong and that's just the way it is. Sometimes I feel like all communication can be persuasion, because everyone usually always believes that what they're saying is correct. But then again, honestly thats only one function. I remembered then that communication can also be used to explanation' informing, or entertaining. When I think of persuasion, I think of manipulation, and that's not always the case. At least, that's not how it is for myself. Communicaion can be seen to some as just a means to persuade others that their opinions and views are correct, but to most, it is just a way to interact. Do with it what you will; communication can be all about persuasion if that's what you want it to be. Personally, I just think that's stupid. People who are only focused on persuasion and not communication in general used for other purposes. Let's not hate- communicate!

Cancer sticks

To tell you the truth, I am a pretty strongly opinionated person. There are many things I feel strongly about, but I guess I'll just chose one that I really don't like, and I bet a lot of other people will write their posts about this. Smoking. What is up with that? Ahh it's just killing your own body. I have done so many reports, read too many articles, and have seen a ridiculous amount of those gross tobacco commercials for me not to have a strong opinion about smoking. The smell stenches your clothes, smoke gets blown in your face, and not to mention its like sucking cancer right into your body through a tube. Maybe I am a little bias about the situation, because many family members have had and still do have cancer. And since cancer is so closely linked to smoking, I have a very strong no-smoking policy. So many that factor could get in my way. It just bothers me: the facts are out there; the statistics, the logic, the scientific proof, of the effects that smoking has on your body. But we still do it? Are we stupid? Yes, I know there's an addiction involved, but that should be your first clue that it's not a smart idea. Okay, I'm going to stop now. Honestly, smoking just isnt for me. I'm not happy when my friends are crazy smokers, but it's their decision. I'm not against anyone who smokes. I just wish our society would be smarter, and more aware about what goes into their bodies- and care a little more.

Personal space, please.

I shared a room with my sister for thirteen years of my life. I can imagine that there are many people who can agree to the fact that there is NO such thing as personal space when you're living in the same room with a sibling. Absolutely not. I would come home from school or wherever, and my sister's clothes would be all over my bed. All over the floor. My hairbrush would be covered in her hair, my makeup would be moved, and the clothes in my drawer would be in a wrinkled mess. Personal space? I think not. Clearly her intentions were "Hey, I'm her sister, I can do whatever I want, whenever I want." Maybe some think that there's no such thing as personal space when it comes to family. I partially agree with that. I think there SHOULD be, but with family, you always feel okay with pushing the boundaries of personal space, because you think, hey we're family, they'll be fine. That's on the thin line of taking advantage. Especially with family members, personal space can be... well, nonexistent.

Socially Awkward Experiment

While hanging out in Cafe Diem today (I seriously think I'm there all the time..) I broke the norms of eye contact while in a discussion. Let me tell you, it was awkward. Nothing is more weird than having a conversation with someone and they are looking all over the place; around the room, looking at people walking through the door, their watch, anything. I had the pleasure of being that socially awkward person. I was sitting on a couch with my buddy Keith and I knew that this was the time: we started talking about high school and old memories, and my eyes just started wandering. I was telling him a story about my senior year and I looked at his sweatshirt, his messy hair and all the chaos going on in Cafe Diem. It must of seemed like I wanted to be anywhere but there talking to him, poor kid. I felt horrible- by breaking eye contact and not looking at him I felt so rude and he probably got the impression that I was not interested in our stroll down memory lane. The conversation took an awkward turn. I could only imagine what was running through his mind. Probably something like, "Wow this girl is a jerk why doesn't she just leave already." Which I did not what to do! But thats how important eye contact is I guess. The conversation took an awkward turn. He was wondering why I was still here talking, I was wondering what he was thinking in the first place, and then words just stopped coming. We went to our seperate couches and got out homework. This is definitely not a smart move to making friends, or keeping them for that matter.