Movies + TV

Recently, there have been a lot of movies and TV shows made about mass chaos, sometimes involving end-of-world scenarios. Why are these so popular? The new movie "Law Abiding Citizen" is about pure fear, resulting from a criminal mind who wreaks havoc upon society with no traceable rationale behind the madness. This reminded me of the Joker in "The Dark Knight" - people are fascinated for some reason with what they can't control. Also popular are History Channel shows about Nostradamus' and the Aztecs' predictions for the end of time, the coming of the Anti-Christ, and what the world will look like after we all die. Are we really just trying to accept our impending doom to lessen the fear? Or is there something just captivating about mass destruction and uncertainty? Perhaps a combination. But I'd rather it be a surprise than end up like the people in "The Day After Tomorrow". I'd rather enjoy the moments we DO have rather than cause paranoia over something that we may never experience.

JHU Student Kills Intruder With Samurai Sword

I understand that this is quite exciting. But please don't glorify it! The poor kid probably feels terrible that he KILLED someone, regardless of the fact that it was self-defense.

Frost/Nixon

I just watched, for the first time, the Froxt/Nixon interview. Never has a United States president been laid bare in such a way for all to see. Shouldn't this be expected of all presidents? We deserve to know everything about those leading our country.

Peshawar Bombings

What message are you trying to send by blowing up fellow Muslims? You want to be recognized by the Western world as a distinct entity. But you refuse to unite amongst yourselves. What's the point? How can you expect anyone to respect you if you don't any have any coherent objective and plan? You're just causing chaos and throwing those who are actually striving for peace into the shadows of questionability.

It's time to get your act together. Take care of the children - raise them to be future leaders and thinkers, not to blow themselves up. Don't hide your women, let them explore what they can really be and contribute positively to the world. Create peace amongst yourselves, and then try talking with the rest of the civilized world.

Oh and another thing...

Please don't close Guantanamo bay. Where will we put them?! We've got enough problems in this country.

Today's quote: Just enjoy the ride. Don't try to make something out of nothing, or else the ride will make you nauseous.

The Middle East - make it work.

People in the middle east are fighting for their way of life. There is so much pride, so much anger. They view their way of life as correct, just as the western world claims their view of the world is correct. Who is to say they're wrong? The only time it becomes wrong is when they take their ideologies and try to impose it upon other societies. But honestly, what can we say to them? What can we DO? No one has tried just listening, instead of wheeling and dealing and trying to gain something. Get to the root of the problem - why all this anger? And when you find out, don't build a wall like in Palestine. They will blow it up. Understand your fellow man for a change. And don't go to the middle east, talk to a few people, and say you have made progress, Obama. That is arrogant. You need to take the time to LISTEN to everything. Don't bomb them, and don't pass them off. LISTEN. They have much to say. All they want is an audience.

The Case for Arranged Marriage

disclaimer: This came to me in the middle of the night, I don't know why. Up until this point I had been against arranged marriage.

Love is the most sought-after commodity on this planet. Romance is the most common practice when trying to attain love. Yet, why is there so much heartbreak and divorce in this world? For two people so enamored and wild about each other, the next step, naturally, is marriage, correct? Then why does it so often end in pieces?

Well, let’s look at the definition of marriage. The joining of two people. With what intention? To be together for the rest of their lives. Another purpose of marriage is to begin a family. It begins with the couple, and continues to produce children and grandchildren. Some marriages do not produce children, but since we are a species of this earth, we must reproduce somehow.

In more traditionally-minded societies, such as those in India, marriage is principally designed with the intent of raising children. Why do these arranged marriages have a lower divorce rate than the rest?

When a man and a woman, two strangers, are joined in marriage, there are no expectations of love. They have been married by their parents, with the intent of raising a good family and carrying on a good family name. They start with nothing – they know absolutely nothing about each others’ personalities.

In a more Western marriage, two people who are affectionate for each other marry. Sometimes this is a product of lust, sometimes of convenience, sometimes it really truly is love. Most of us can’t tell. The principle focus of the marriage is the love between the man and the wife, whether it already exists or not. There are high expectations between a husband and wife, with any small deviation leading to hostility. Rarely ever do a man and wife still love each other the same amount or even more than when they first got married. The traumas of midlife crises, raising children, and economics often drive a couple apart, which is why divorce attorneys are never out of work.

In an arranged marriage, however, since no standards have been set for love, it only has the potential to grow . No expectations exist; therefore, none can be broken, and no fighting occurs. Raising children cannot separate them, because that was their purpose in getting married – to raise children to the best of their abilities. They pour all their love into their children, because that is all that they really have. The two develop an appreciation and respect for each other over time, and a friendship that cannot be broken, because they have this one common goal that unites them. Since both of their efforts are concentrated into perfecting their children, the children are not traumatized by fighting and divorce, and therefore turn out to be happier people.

This is the purest form of love – between an unbroken family. Romance comes and goes, but the love that is built upon through years of hard work is the most satisfying love a person can experience. One cannot just expect this from life – they have to strive for it. It is not easy, but it is worth it.