thrifting...

I like to be thrifty. My mother says I am frugal. I like to be practical. So, when it comes to buying clothes, I like them cheap. Not the dirty or less quality kind of cheap, but the worn in and well used kind of cheap. That’s why I sometimes, well most times, shop at goodwill, the Salvation Army, or the thrift stores in downtown Omaha. This kind of shopping is tricky. It requires going through racks and racks of acid wash mommy jeans, musty sweaters, and floppy t-shirts. I love it. In the mean time there is a frantic search for that one unique item, for less than five dollars of course. It gets tiring pushing the clothes aside and looking at the tag for size and price. However, when I am with friends it makes that search all the more enjoyable. The really ugly and revolting 1980’s blazers or formal dresses are pulled off the rack and commented on, tried on, and brought back to life. I or one of my friends will come out of the dressing room enacting the clothing. A neon-colored swish suit would require a silly workout routine and an impression of Richard Simons. A gaudy eighties formal dress, with an excess of poof sleeves, would be considered the next gown for prom or just to accompany plastic jewelry or tidal wave bangs. Most of the ugly or extremely unfashionable items found are eventually put back on the rack. Then there comes the time that all the hard work pays off when I find the thrifty deal between the compressed racks of clothing. It usually ends up being a pair of designer jeans that fit perfectly for five dollars or a sweater for ninety-nine cents. Whatever the item, the hunt and pursuit of these thrifty items are always an unpredictable adventure. You never know what you can find between the racks.

a blog on smoking...

So, a blog on smoking.

Grant states: "It is when you and your family, sometimes young kids go to a restaurant to enjoy a nice meal with your loved ones and open up the door and are blasted in the face by a wall of smoke; that terrible smelling, poisonous smoke takes your breath away and makes the rest of the evening a flop."

Some think it is a disgusting habit. For others it is an addiction. And others it is a mere way of unwinding. I thought this would be an interesting subject to write. Sure smoking is bad for you, and it is rather touchy subject when smoking goes public, in actuality I think it is not as offensive or disgusting. Since I want to be a doctor I am going to say that "Smoking is bad for you!!! If you smoke, quit now!!!". This is just because I am concerned for your health and not your habit. There are a lot of memories that involve the smell of cigarette smoke. When I was little there was this mom and pop diner a few blocks away from my house. I called this place the hi-ho grill. It was fantastic. The food was deliciously greasy and they had the best biscuits and gravy, as well as a creepy garden gnome saluting you as you walked in. (This always scared me as a child. He was about the same size of me as a five year old. Freaky.) I remember the hi-ho grill would be hazy with smoke, only clearing when the waitress with fresh coffee walked by. The smoke never bothered me as a child when I would eat there. It entertained me more or less. My little brother would always be bothered by the smoke in the restaurant. It was funny watching his eyes get puffy and red as he tried to eat his hash browns and drink chocolate milk through a straw. My mother would also freak out about the smokers. She would make us sit as far away as possible in hope to find a clearing in the haze. As for me, smoking is just what one does. For some it's a habit, a health hazard, something to do when stressed, or an accompaniment to a greasy breakfast.

paul potts: the average prodigy

I've never seen Simon so surprised. You would think that he's seen just about everything--especially as a judge for American Idol. Well, I guess that Simon would have never considered Paul Potts, an average, odd looking cell phone salesman, to be the next American Idol of the UK.

This fantasy, of being normal and discovering a legendary talent, is one fantasy that many people dream of before they fall asleep. We all want to be remembered, be famous, or do something great with our lives. Every time I watch this video I get chills. These are the kind of chills that are the calling of greatness in every individual. These are chills that feed the yearn to greatness and inspire us to achieve. It is inspiring to know that everyone, especially an average person such as Paul, has a chance. To even imagine that normal people are all around us and have the potential to change the world, promote peace, feed the hungry, or share the passion of opera, is beyond comprehension.

Paul stated in the beginning of the video that his dream was doing what he was called to do. In his case it was singing opera. This brings me to the question: What is my calling? What is your calling? Is it to achieve greatness? Is it to be recored and documented in textbooks? Is it to be remembered forever? I agree with Paul. Our dreams are interwoven into our callings, our desires, our greatness. The key to achieving our dreams and greatness is to fulfill our calling. Paul liked singing opera. That was his greatness--his ability to share music with others. He does it in such a way not only is Simon taken aback, but leads us all to indulge in our fantasies of greatness and become what we are called to be.

essay on gary's essay...

"As Cynthia stated that there it is a free mind at play, and I believe for a genuine essay to be produced or one that has strong voice it does not need any forms of constraints." --Gary Masters

I agree with Gary's as well as Cynthia's statement about the essay. The essay should have no boundaries. It should have no rules, no specific format, and most importantly the essay should not be defined. The essay is an opportunity for the writer to release words on paper, words out loud--without consideration of rules and regulations. This allows the writer to embrace his or her own thoughts and ideas better than someone buried in rules. As Gary and Cynthia stated, it allows the writer to produce a more genuine essay instead of some insignificant redundant copy of previous thoughts. I also think that without a specific format a writer is more willing to be creative with the essay. The essay could include quotes from sources that enhance the writer's ideas and thoughts, as well as poetry or a short biography combined in one writing to capture a person's life story on paper. The lack of specific format also makes it easier for the reader to stay engaged as well as intrigued. It is much more interesting if the reader is unable to predict what the writer is going to say next. It is also easier for the reader to stay awake and engaged in the reading if the writer avoids redundant thesis statements and contentions. However, what I think is most important about the essay is its definition. I think it should be left undefined. It should maintain its flexibility, its freeness, and its mystery to all writers. If the essay were to ever be defined the writer would see himself or herself suddenly denied of free writing--losing a passionate and strong voice as well as limitless boundaries of creativity. The free mind would no longer be at play. It would be a sever detriment to all writers and readers of their work if the essay would obtain boundaries and limitations to its format, style, and purpose.