behind the stars: writer's strike

“Behind many acts that are thought ridiculous there lie wise and weighty motives.”

-François de la Rochefoucauld

I'm not an expert on the topic, nor have I really followed the writer's strike information carefully in-depth over the last two months since it began. And so, I'm probably like any other bystander, disappointed that my favorite tv shows' seasons have been cut short, have ridiculously random endings, and that most of the award ceromonies concerning pop culture have been unfortunately canceled (the people's choice award's attempt to go on was boring...). This is exactly what the situation wants the public to feel and therefore take the side with the writers.
I found it very interesting how during the people choice awards, Angus T. Jones from "Two and A Half Men" said with a solemn voice, "I kind of wanted to tell you a joke, but the writers are on strike, so I have nothing." Besides the motive of more money, I believe that the writer's strike as a whole have taught us a lesson about appreciation for those not seen. Of course, everyone else is trying to convey the same message that "writers are awesome", "we need them" in order to coax the writers to return without demands satisfied.
I'm not sure if I'm too pessimistic to say this, but I hope some can agree with me that the chain of effects following America's disasters have altogether made us stronger in a way (besides the other side effects too). For example, 9/11, a terrible time indeed. We all have our stories about conspiracies involved and other ideas, but really, no one was prepared. As a result, our nation heightened in security, invaded our privacy, made us scorn the president with the decisions made about Iraq, but despite these annoyances, the crux of it all was that America soon looked around and saw each other.
Then about four years later, Hurricane Katrina and the tsunamis came tumbling in and shook America as well as the whole world to raise the awareness of helping each other out in times of need.
Now we have this, writer's strike. What has it taught us? To me, it made me realize that actors and actresses are only faces or puppets. Without the lines to say or the master puppeteer's hands, they are merely only good-looking people and objects that only make a room look pretty and nothing more. One simply cannot succeed by them self. An actor cannot perform without a performance to give. Be grateful for those who work behind the scenes, they are just as if not more important as the actors. I truly hope the strike will end and that both parties are satisfied.

-lilxerica

random quote: where in friendship one should walk

If you value friendship like another person does, take the time to read one of my favorite quotes pertaining to the subject of friendship. It's quite accurate.

Don't walk in front of me,

I may not follow.

Don't walk behind me,

I may not lead.

Just walk beside me and

be my friend.

- Albert Camus

like a chicken: cooped up

Cooped Up, like a chicken

That's sometimes how I feel.

Just plain and simple
Cooped up, like a chicken.

I can't possibly be
like a chicken
in a cowardly way,
because as
Cooped up, like a chicken
as I am
there is no place to go.

No where to wobble and cringe
recoiling in fear
as since I'm
Cooped up, like a chicken
the pen will keep me in here.

The eyes of people
will reap me of my privacy
exposed, like in a glass case
A transparent, thin yet impenetrable
Glass Case.

This firm case will enclose my feathers
Shake them off
Scared, frozen
Maybe not like a chicken
I will weep.

Under everyone's watch
my throat seems to tighten
Cooped up, like a chicken
has taken a toll on me
with suffocation.

Did you know a chicken can survive a limited amount of days headless?

Through the wires
of the pen
I attempt to wiggle
my way out.

It's useless though
as the farmer scoops
me back to rot and be
Cooped up, like a chicken
once again.

Flapping wings
that show no use
I gain only less than a foot.

Nature made me this way
Am I always so destined
to lose?

Cooped up, like a chicken
I gawked at others
but secretly wish
I were them

not
Cooped up, like a chicken
that will later become dinnertime's food.

Many sick chickens are slaughtered and eaten by by us first.

The farmer's steps
are heavy with weight
thundering as he approaches.

A great large shadow
is overhead and floats across the pen.

He unlatches the pen and gropes for
the ugliest
sickest
chicken
to be cooked.

Of course it's me.
I shout and scream
defying the fact, I’m
Cooped up, like a chicken.

Frighten by, the ugly shrill
He steps back.

I continue this horrid scene of me being
Cooped up, like a chicken
and try to escape by falling
to the hay-stack ground.

From there,
The farmer bends down
and once again does the similar routine
of scooping me back up to once again be
Cooped up, like a chicken
with no hope.

Yet no,
This shalln’t happen.

I flap my wings with force and strength
shedding the dirty feathers.

My chicken feet bloom
from repulsing sticks
to flesh and bone.

The dull beak that
once fed from animal fodder
has become tender
bright pink lips
soft to touch.

Finally broken up of my state of being
Cooped up, like a chicken
I give the audience
that once stared
an icy glare
from my deep brown eyes
no longer weak, self-conscious and beady.

I am no longer
Cooped up, like a chicken.

-lilxerica

new year resolutions

Make or Break?

I pull out a particular square of notebook paper from my folder.

It's been folded several times and so I carefully open each layer of paper revealing the many creases indented into the edges. The top of the page is titled "New Year Resolutions 2008." Underneath, a list of about seventeen items had been written. I give a light chuckle realizing how many of them I had broken. Already it had been almost a week from the new year and this list of scribbled writing felt so old. I pull the paper closer and squint at the words. The majority of the list seemed to be written with such thought, anticipation, and time invested into creation.

Feeling guilty, I wonder: Is it too late to start over?

Other times, I can't help but think that perhaps I neglected to accomplish this new year's goals only because I was a tinsy bit lazy or rather a tinsy bit numbed by post-holiday cheer. I think a better explanation is the lack of self-discipline. I'll be gracious and give myself another chance. After all, it's a bit funny how new year resolutions seem to demand change over night. Sometimes it can't really happen like that. Working our way up is always a good thing to do. And so this year, if you yourself have ceased to begin, why not start now?

However, I wouldn't always have this sort of psychology or seriously, you'll never get anything done. Also, maybe before one writes up a list, think through whether you will actually achieve at least one of them. That way, you can shoot for something, but won't be as heavy as a burden. Short-term goals can be a little trick to get some motivated.

I mean, really, what's the use of making a list and ending up breaking every single item?

There isn't any = Big Waste of Time.

With that, change your old ways wisely, and begin anew!

Tomorrow,
resist the chocolates
and the french fries,
stop the profanity,
and treat others kindly.
If it were only that easy.

That's probably why about only ten percent of people who make new years resolutions succeed.

-lilxerica

advances in technology

Digital vs Real.

I was driving in the car today and was tuned in on the radio. News informed me that last year, cd sales for music dropped 15% and music downloads in turn, increased I think about 45%.

Today, it's becoming extremely popular to simply download songs online instead of going to the local music store. Beside the benefits of saving space and the bother of driving over to the store, could this convenience pose as a threat or contribute to the factors that are endangering the country's health?

Think about it. In the last ten years, we've undergone incredible changes concerning culture and technology. From fast food that has provided efficient and cheap food service for all, including the working, poor, and lazy to the rise of video games, console systems that all began from the eighties. Our actions influence who we've become.

For example in Hollywood need I say more, stars there put themselves out to the public traditionally through their work in movies and shows, but lately much of that has changed. Many have downgraded their sense of dignity and have thrown their life of wealth and fame to the grapples of drugs, sex, and violence. Yet still, no matter what they do, their conflict, passion, and frenzy simply fuels more publicity and amusement for all. Hmm, a world of celebrities not known for their Grammys or Oscars, but named for the outrageous incidents clubbing or inappropriate shots elsewhere that in no way demonstrates stardom.

Now with this whole downloading propaganda, I honesty do not trust it. How do you know whatever you download is secure? It would be quite distressful if one invested a great deal of money on music to have it all completely wiped out due to a virus inflicted onto their computer. Cds to me, provide more of a shelter to these worries. I find them reliable. I'm not sure that I believe this only because I've grown up with them since they became popular or that I'm blind to their defects. I do know however, that this idea is similar to owning a digital camera. Sure, somebody can take a million photos and put them onto their hard drive. With the pictures there, you can do amazing things, such as editing without the actual darkroom or one can compose a whole digital gallery/ album of your photos for show. Remarkable what we can do nowadays, yes? But then why am I complaining?

Well, I draw the line to these things. Yes, I have the whole package; music on the computer for easy download to transportable devices and trillions of folders filled with photographic evidence of the memories I've shared with those I love. However, there's a difference to what you feel and see.

Call me old fashion, but I'd prefer boasting about an enormous cd collection or I'd rather have my grandchildren in the future with others gather around me holding a large photo album encased with memories that are safe and sound, instead of crowding over a computer and squinting at the screen.

To feel a photo from long ago is a pure sensation. Looking at my mother and father's old polaroid pictures of their honeymoon, it sent a tingle down my spine thinking that so many years ago, my parents too, held the same photo. It's the same with handwritten letters. Emails are sweet and causal, but handwritten letters are personal and heartfelt. To touch the indents embedded into the paper by their pen is special and nothing can replace that sense of personalization.

Perhaps, I think the steps we take in this technology age can sometimes get a bit extreme. Some propose job interviews on the internet or robots that dance. I won't get into those as I could on and on about how I feel that technology cannot or rather, should not replace the company of another person.

Is technology moving a bit too fast? Are we forgetting something along the way? Or will it be too late to turn around and pick up what's lost? We really cannot tell, but in the mean time, let's try to treasure everything that's palpable to our fingers and ponder about this some more in peace.

-lilxerica

2008

Just before the day ends...
let us celebrate the beginning of a new year
(if you haven't already).

Goodbye 2007!

Remember the cheer
Remember the tears

Recall the past
But lay it to rest
with a wonderful new year upon us.

Welcome 2008!

-lilxerica