J.D. Salinger

Passed away Wednesday. The book Catcher in the Rye is one of my favorite books of all time. This is a huge loss for the literary world. An article I just read puts it best:

"But for all the myth that surrounds Salinger, his work manages to stand on its own as art, and more important, as art that lasts. Reading 'The Catcher in the Rye' has itself become as emblematic of the American teenage experience as French kissing or learning to drive. Holden Caulfield, the novel's disillusioned narrator, is often considered the narrative voice of a generation. The fact that the book is still so widely read proves Holden to be more than that. He isn't simply the voice of a generation; he's the voice of youth, of insecurity, of anger and alienation."

Work In Progress

The outline & some shading of my tattoo...

...this is the best angle I could get.

Let me just say..

One person's struggle is NOT to be used in order to gain pity and sympathy for yourself. I am just as upset as everyone who knows Nick about everything going on, but I am not going around telling everyone and their mother how sad it is so that people will say, "Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry for your situation." Hey, news flash, it ISN'T YOUR SITUATION. Pray for Nick, pray for everyone to have strength throughout the process, but for heaven's sake stop seeking sympathy. You're not lying in a hospital bed getting test after test and going through tons of treatments. You're sitting on your comfortable couch enjoying your health and tending to your daily responsibilities. I love Nick to death, and I'm beyond frustrated with people trying to manipulate his situation in order to get attention for themselves. I'm sorry, I just needed to get this out before I ripped someone's head off. Good day.

Although I typically don't ask for sympathy...

I've had a crazy few weeks, and I need to vent.

First, my brother got into some trouble - I won't go into detail, but it's only the beginning of a long, stressful road of healing.

Then, I find out that simultaneously my grandfather was diagnosed with prostate cancer and my grandma is being put into a nursing home. This form of cancer is very treatable, but at the same time he is an 83 year old man, and it's not an easy battle for anyone to overcome. My grandma hardly knows what's going on anymore, so the fact that I'll see her even less saddens me. I suppose this is all a part of aging.

Lastly, Nick, one of my best friends since early high school, was diagnosed with acute lymphoid leukemia today. He says it's very treatable, but it makes me nervous regardless. I know he's a strong kid and he'll pull through it, I just need to be there for him in his time of need.

I'm not asking for pity, just prayers. For strength, joy, discernment, and perseverance.

Because this happened today..

I typically enjoy political discussions, or any discussions wherein people are sharing different opinions and viewpoints on a particular subject. The key to these discussions, especially those focused on politics, is that one cannot take things personally. Well, today was the election in Massachusetts, which would prove to be vital in the healthcare reform bill. All I heard at work all day was the typical conservative opinion of my father and co-workers. Another person, much closer to my age, expressed an opinion about the vote/healthcare bill. Now, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. What would this world be without differences? Stagnant, that's what.

The way I see it, if one is going to reject the "socialization" of healthcare, then they should also reject the socialization of other things in everyday life. Do you send your children to public schools? Do you call the police or firemen in an emergency? Do you drive your car on paved roads? Do you know someone who has utilized the benefits of a methadone clinic in an attempt to overcome an addiction? Do you think it's okay for someone to go to a community mental health center for help? If your answer to any of these questions is yes, maybe you should re-evaluate your idea of socialism. Everyone keeps their mouths shut about these benefits, because who would complain about nice roads and essentially free schooling?

I'm not saying that the healthcare reform bill is 100% ideal, but then again nothing is. Try putting yourself in someone else's shoes for a change. A lack of ability to afford healthcare does not equate laziness or irresponsibility.

Sometimes..

You just have a really good day.

Today was one of those.

:]

Tattoo

This is the one I'll be getting in the next 2 weeks :]