Welcome!

Taking a look at books, movies, music, video games, and the life of a nerd, one step at a time.

Monday, September 24, 2012

From The Heart

A Salute To Our Soldiers
 
I see you standing among them all,
Standing so strong, proud and tall.
The world looks at you, but does not see
Everything you sacrifice to keep us free.
 
I'm here to say, to let you know
That you are loved, even if it doesn't show.
You fight for our hopes, dreams, and liberty.
You fight for our freedom....a hero to be.
 
I want you to know, you're never alone
For we are waiting for you to come home. 
But the hardest thing for a person to be
Is you.. a solider,
Fighting to keep us free.
 
Thank you.  Those two little words are not hardly enough, but the meaning and feelings behind it are real.  I thank you.  I thank all of you who are military.  I thank any and all of those who are serving our country, but not just them.  I want to thank all the military families out there as well. 
 
I have a very deep appreciation for the military.  My mom teases me because she says I have an "army obsession".  It's true.  I do.  I don't know why that is or how it came about, but it's there. 
The only person I have currently serving in the military is my cousin in the Air Force.  I have family that used to be serving in the military.  People think it's strange that I'm so big in to the military even though there is no one in my immediate family enlisted right now.  It's not strange though.  Not hardly.
 
Our military deserves so much more support and appreciation than they receive.  They deserve everything, yet they don't receive hardly anything.  They deserve to know that they are appreciated.  These people deserve to know that we are grateful.  These people deserve to know that they are heroes, they are my heroes.  These amazing people deserve to know that they are loved, not only by their families but by this country, by me. 
 
These people inspire me.  They are so selfless in the sense that they give everything for this country and its people.  So in turn, they are giving everything for me.  They are giving everything for you.  How can you not be grateful for that?  If everyone took just a minute out of their busy schedules to think about it, I think they would be thankful too. 
 
I'm no saint.  I will admit to allowing myself to think that my trivial problems are more important than others.  I allow myself to forget that there are people out there who don't have access to all of the simple things that I take for granted.  I allow myself to forget that there are people out there, serving this country, who don't get to see their families.  I allow myself to forget that there are people out there who might not make it back, just so we can live life the way we do.  I feel sick with myself when I realize this.  I feel sick realizing that I had the nerve to think like that.  If you're military or you're a military family and reading this, let me be the first to apologize for being so selfish and allowing myself to forget. 
 
Thank you to all of you serving in our military, no matter what branch you are.  I thank you from the very bottom of my heart.  I don't think I can express how deeply I appreciate you and what it is that you do.  You are the reason that I am able to be who I am.  You are the reason that I live the way I do.  Free.  I am eternally in your debt.  I'm so proud to be able to say that all the service men and women are my heroes and my inspirations.  I know that there isn't really all that much I can do, but maybe someone out there that is serving our country will read this.  Then they will know that someone out there does care, that someone out there does appreciate them and everything they are doing and sacrificing. 
 
I don't want to thank just our service men and women though.  I want to thank those that are just as important, but aren't always thought of or appreciated.  I want to thank their families. 
 
Military families are heroes in their own right.  They have to deal with and go through so much.  No one bothers to think of them and what it is like for them to have to go through this.  No one bothers to think what it is like for them to have to deal with a beloved member of their family gone all the time.  Military spouses and military kids have to put up with so much.  I thank them for all that they do and all that they give.  I thank them for being amazing people. 
 
I have gotten to know a military family, and all I can say is that they are some of the most amazing people I have ever met.    He is enlisted in the army.  I don't think I've ever told him because I couldn't find the words, but I'm so thankful for him and what he does.  He's a really awesome person, like a really cool guy.  I'm honored to be able to know him in his family.  As for his family, his wife is an amazing woman.  She does so much for her family.  She is truly an amazing woman.  I thank her for everything she does, but not just that.  I want to thank her for being so sweet to me and my family.  As I've told you guys in previous posts, I'm kind of a shy person.  I have a hard time opening up to people and speaking to them.  Somehow at some point I opened up and began speaking.  I have come to really enjoy talking to her and her husband.  They are both such kind and amazing people. She's always so nice to me and always happy to talk to me, and that means a lot to me.  Well, at least I think so anyways, sometimes I think people don't mind talking to me but they do.  I'm pretty sure anyways.   I really can't express what amazing people these are.  I want to thank her for everything she does and goes through.  She's really an incredible woman.  I don't know how she manages with the crazy schedules she has to deal with and everything else on top of that.  She manages it beautifully though, and on top of that, she's just a really amazing person.  She's actually the reason I decided to write this.  The other day it really hit me all the things that she has to do and put up with.  The fact that she handles it so incredibly is something she should be thanked for and appreciated for.  I'm thanking her.  She, as well as her husband, are some of the most fantastic people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.  They are some of the most fantastic people I have ever met.  They also have four kids.  Their kids are some of the most well-behaved, respectful kids.  I've never really met their eldest child, but I'm sure that he is just as respectful.  Their two middle children are right around my age.  I've never really spoken to them before.  I'd really like to, but like I said, I have a hard time talking to people for the first time and my shyness always gets the best of me and I get nervous and can't do it.  Maybe one day I'll finally be able to.  Both of them seem like really amazing, genuinely good people.  As for the youngest child, the manners that child has are impeccable.  She is so sweet and such a funny, good mannered kid.  All of them, all of their personalities, are amazing.  I thank them all for all that they have to go through, and I hope that they all feel appreciated as well.  I don't know if this will seem like much to them, even if they read it, but I hope that it at least lets them know that I appreciate them and that I think so highly of them.  I really am so grateful that there are people like that in this country.  These people are the people that I can't even begin to express my gratitude for, no matter how hard I try.
 
If you're reading this and you're military or a part of a military family, I thank you.  I thank each and every one of you.  This post doesn't even begin to express how thankful and appreciative I am.  It's something I have a hard time putting in to words, but I think I did my best.  If you're reading this and you aren't military or you have no one in your family who is military, then I hope that you're thankful too.  Thank you.  Thank you so much.  I thank you from the very bottom of my heart.  I'm so grateful that I can live in a nation where there are people like our military and their families.  I'm so grateful that  I can live in a nation where my heroes can be normal people, not celebrities or movie stars.
 
                                                                THANK YOU.

 




Sunday, September 23, 2012

The Death Of A Friend

Hello everyone.  Just recently a horrible tragedy occurred.  I recently lost someone who, I felt, was very close to me. 

That's right everyone, I lost my Skyrim character.  It's awful isn't it?  I had been working on that game since the beginning of July, so practically 2 and  half months now.  Something happened on my last save and the files corrupted.  I had no way of getting back all the time and effort I spent trying to perfect and raise my character. 

I was heartbroken.  I now to get to start again....from the very beginning.  All of my titles and weapons and property...all of it is gone.  It's tragic.  I know I seem horribly strange and disturbed for being this bothered by the events that have come to pass, but you try working that hard and for that long on something for all of it to just be gone in a second. 

Rest in peace, Jessamine, and may the new Jessamine I have created be even better than the first. 

Check back later.  I should hopefully have a new, not tragic post up. 

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Introducing The Greatest Band Ever.

Hello everyone!  This post is really important to me and I won't put up for any trash anyone has to say about it so don't even think about it. 

I would like to introduce all of you to the greatest band ever.  They're from Washington, North Carolina and they're going to make it big one day, but if they don't for some crazy, insane, possibly apocalyptic reason they don't, I don't care.  They're big to me and that's all that matters.  This band consists of four of the most amazing people in the entire world.  Now for the big reveal.  This band is...........Everember. 

Everember.  Everember, Everember, Everember.  The name that now means so much to me.  Everember is a Christian, their name coming from the Book of the Prophet, Isaiah 6:6-7.  It states, "Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, 'Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.'"  Henceforth, the name Everember was chosen. 

This band is fantastic.  Like really fantastic.  Everything about them is fantastic: their music, their morals, and the members especially.  I don't think there is a single thing I dislike about this band.  That really means a lot because according to a lot of people I'm really skeptical.  There is not a flaw I can find with this band. 

Okay, for starters, they're talented.  Like really talented.  Their musical abilites are astounding.  Not only that but their stage presence is phenomenal.  They put on a great show.  Their vocals are amazing, their keyboarding is phenomenal, their guitar is flipping fantastic, and their drums are killer.  Right now on Itunes they only have six songs: Moonlight, Inconsistent, Three Years, Products of Circumstance, Saving Unity, and Everytime.  All of these songs are fantastic and definitely worth buying.  I don't mean one of them.  I don't mean a few of them.  I mean all of them.  They're all fantastic.  The tracks are beautifully done.  You can pick out every instrument used, yet it all blends together in a perfect harmony.  They are fantastic musicians and amazing performers.

Now, while all that is fantastic and wonderful, there's another aspect to Everember that I really love.  That would be the four people in Everember.  Everember is made up of, as I have said, four people.  Those four people are brothers Andy and Alex, Chelsea, and Kevin. 

Andy is the lead vocals for the band, as well as playing guitar. He's a fantastic guitar player, and he has an incredible voice.  He's a really awesome guy. This is off topic but every time I've seen him he plays this really stunning guitar.  I don't know why I felt like sharing that, but I always think it.  Chelsea plays keyboard for the band and she sings as well.  She plays a double keyboard a lot, and I think that is so flipping awesome!  She also has a really fantastic voice.  On top of all that, Chelsea is extremely pretty, like very very pretty.  She's amazing.  Andy and Chelsea just got married recently, so a very happy congratulations to them and may they have a happily ever after!  Alex is Andy's brother, so now he's Chelsea's brother-in-law.  Aside from that though, Alex is the bands drummer.  Okay, this guy can kill on the drums.  He's freaking fantastic!  Alex really is an awesome drummer, and he's a really cool dude.  Did I mention he's a killer drummer?  Last, but most certainly not least, is Kevin.  Kevin used to play bass for them, but now he is their guitarist.  Let me tell you that he is an amazing guitarist.  He's really fantastic.  Really, really fantastic.  Kevin is not only an incredible guitarist, but I have to credit him with putting up with me.  He typically runs the Twitter for the band, and uh I might have hit up that Twitter a lot.  He's a really good guy, Kevin is.  He's so amazing.  He's a great guy and a great guitar player. 

These four people are just amazing.  They leave me speechless, which is why this is really difficult to write.  They reach out and touch all of the people they encounter.  I saw them first perform at Youth Day at Campbell University.  I was stunned by them.  I got ahold of them at a later date and I've been hooked.  I think I became hooked the moment they took over the stage at Campbell.  Then I was only hooked to the music.  Then as time progressed, I got to know the actual people, and I adore them.  They are some of the most amazing people ever.  They're the shining examples of how everyone else should strive to try to be.  They are just so --- I really don't know how to even put my thoughts in to words right now.  It's really impossible.  I'll just get to my point and say that this band is fantastic.

There is nothing wrong with this band.  They're talented, they're amazing, and they're all fantastic, wonderful people.  This band is my favorite band, without a doubt, no contest.  I really just want to thank them for being who they are and doing what they do.  So go check them out.  Everember.  Nine letters, six songs (Only for now, their album comes out very soon.), four people, one story.  I love Everember.  I like to think I'm their biggest fan, and if not, at least one of their biggest. 

I really hope that you didn't find this stupid because they really mean a lot to me.  They've done so much for me, more than any other band, and many people, would.  They're the kindest, most amazing, most fantastic, most incredible band ever.  I owe them for putting up with me for being such a pest.  I love them.  I want you to love them too, just not as much as I do.  So go check them out.  That's Everember: E-V-E-R-E-M-B-E-R.  Go check them out.  The links will be right below this for you to look them up.  Please give them a listen.  They're definitely worth it.  My next post should be up tomorrow so check back then!  Comment and let me know what you think or if you gave them a listen!

Here are the links to find this amazing band:

Everember's Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/everember

Everember's Twitter: http://www.facebook.com/#!/everember

Everember's Website: http://everemberband.com/

The Wonderful World of Skyrim

Oh, Skyrim.  Where do I even begin? 

Well to start, Skyrim is the latest installment in the Elder Scrolls series.  Skyrim is a game with a completely open world and a varying storyline.  There's the main storyline quests that don't really change much, and then so many other quests!  You're given so much freedom to do as you please! 

When you start the game, after a cut scene that flaunts the stunning graphics that Bethesda has put in to this, you design your character.  You get to choose from a freaking ton of races of characters to be, and you can really detail the appearance of your character.  All of the races are really awesome, but I've only ever played as an Imperial, and I just recently made a Nord out of a request from one of my lovely friends.  While each race has its perks, it doesn't really matter in the long run who you choose.  When you level up, it doesn't really matter what race you are.  You can go from there. 

Now the main storyline follows the trail of you, a character of your design and liking, discovering that you're a dovahkiin.  Dovahkiin is a word in the ancient dragon language.  Dov means dragon, dovah means the race of the dragons, and kiin means kind or kin.  So dovahkiin literally translates over into dragonborn.  Alduin, known as the Souleater or Worldeater, has returned, along with all the other dov.  Alduin returning fulfills the prophecy as told in the Elder Scrolls.  Alduin has return signifies the end of the world for all human races.  It is the Dovahkiin's job to stop this from happening. 

Now that you get the gist of Skyrim, I want to talk about finer points of it, and why it is that I spend so much of my free time playing it.  Let's get down to it then!

There are four main guilds you can join: the Thieves Guild, the Dark Brotherhood (a group of assassins), the Companions, and the College of Winterhold (which is practically a mage guild).  I do highly suggest joining all of these cause they're freaking awesome!  I personally like the Dark Brotherhood the best, not because I want to be an assassin or anything, but I think the whole armor set and quests are flipping awesome.  Although, I will credit the Theives Guild with having the gauntlets I like best, and if you don't give the skeleton key back then you're set with all lockpicking. 

Anyways I really like the whole open world thing.  I can't stand confined, circuit games.  I mean I can, but I don't prefer them anywhere near open games.  Out of all the free world games I've played though, Skyrim is definitely the best.  The graphics are really, quite nearly flawless.  There's also the limitations that do keep it as realisitic as possible, you know, minus the dragons and most other things.  You can't fall from incredible heights and survive.  You can't hold your breath forever out of water.  You can't just sneak past someone in full daylight, in their line of sight and they won't see you.  It's really fantastic all the little details in the game as well, like the animals that wander around.

Now weapons are pretty different and customizable.  I mean like there are all kinds of weapons from swords, to daggers, to war axes, to war hammers, to bows.  My absolute favorite type of weapon is a bow.  It is what I favor.  I tend to enchant mine, which is a way to customize any of your weapons.  Lately I've been using a Forsworn Bow with a fire enchantment.  Wow.  That sounds really lame, but you know, oh well.  No changing it.  Other than a bow I have one sword that I believe is called a Dawnbreaker from Merida's Beacon quest that I got after completion of said quest.  It is a daedric quest but I really like the sword. 

I don't really know how to even explain or describe Skyrim to you.  I know I did an extremely sucky job on this post, so you can just ignore this one if you like.  I wanted to talk about Skyrim but realized as I tried to write this that I just had no words to describe any of it.  I just suggest if you have an Xbox, go buy it and  play it.  Right now.  I mean like RIGHT NOW!  Go, and once you're back from buying it, you can check back for my next post!  :)

Friday, August 24, 2012

Girls and Gaming.

Hello everyone! 

This post is something I've been really wanting to talk about, girls and gaming.  I don't mean seperately I mean girls who are gamers, like myself, or girls who are totally against gaming and/or against girl gamers. 

Okay.  I know I've said it before I am a female gamer.  I love my Xbox.  Love it.  I am a huge Skyrim fan.  Skyrim is fantastic!  If you haven't played it, go get it.  Now.  It is amazing!  I also really like the Resident Evil series.  I'm super psyched for Resident Evil 6 to come out!  Other games that I like a lot are the Left 4 Dead games, Ghost Recon, Tomb Raider, Sims, Final Fantasy, Dante's Inferno, and because of my cousin, COD.  Recently, all I have been playing is Skyrim.  Oh!  I know this isn't for Xbox, but Kingdom Hearts.  If you don't know what Kingdom Hearts is you are totally missing out.  They games out now are for PlayStation 2, but still!  Those games are the reason I haven't sold my PS2.  I'm so psyched for Kingdom Hearts 3!  If it's coming out for PS3 only, I will by a freaking PlayStation 3 to play it.  My next post will probably be a KH post, so keep an eye out for that!  At some point I want to get in to PC gaming, but I don't really have the funds for that right now.  But I digress. 

I think girls who are gamers are awesome.  I think that it's great.  I wish more girls were!  Right now, I think I only know two girls who are gamers.  One of them would be my most lovely cousin who I adore.  She's an Xbox person like myself.  (She also has an awesome vlog.  Her channel name is MissKingLady.  Check it out. :) )  The other would be a very good friend of mine, whose name I shall not disclose, but she's a PC gamer and she's flipping amazing.

Now, I 've seen a lot of stereotypical attitudes towards girls who game, well gamers in general actually.  I've noticed that to a good majority of people, gamers appear to be either freaky, creepy, no-life, losers or they're teenage guys.  Yes, I know that people like that do game, but that doesn't mean all people who game are like that.  A lot of people who game are normal, decent people.  A gamer can be absolutely anyone!  Just because I game or someone else games, that doesn't mean anything.  Give it a chance people.  Just because someone is a gamer, you can't just assume something about them.  Stereotypes are stupid.

Ok guys, listen up. I've noticed that a lot of guys who are gamers think that girls play at a lower standard than they do.  I would beg to differ.  I have a friend who told me that he was better, in general, at Skyrim than myself, simply because he is a guy.  That irritated me.  A lot.  Anyone can be good at gaming, and anyone can suck at gaming.  Is it possible for a girl to be a better gamer than some guys?  Absolutely.  Is it possible for her to suck?  Yeah.  It is.  The same thing goes for anyone out there who games.  Just because she's a girl, guys, she can and probably does know what she's doing.  This is something different but to quote the words of someone very wise, "Guys, if your girlfriend tells you to get rid of your Xbox, get rid of her.  She's not worth it."  Now to the person who said that, if you read this, that is a lovely bit of advice.  You make me laugh. :)

Now girls, just because another girl games, don't judge her so harshly on that.  I think it's crazy when other girls rag on a girl just cause she does play.  That's not cool.  Sure, she could seem different, and you may think it's weird but give her a chance!  Chances are there are girls you know who do game, and you may not know it.  Girls who game can seem like anyone else or they could totally stand out.  I can't really use myself as an example to say girls who game are just like you, but that's because I'm kind of a lot different....really different.  Like, the majority of the shirts I just got are all Harry Potter or video game related different.  That's okay though!  Be your own person.  Don't be a follower.  That doesn't me you have to be a leader, but just don't be a follower.  Be an individual.  Be unique.  People will like you better that way, as you.  Unless they're stupid, in which case who cares, they're stupid

The last thing I would like to talk about is girls on guys who game.  Don't try to get them to stop.  It is stupid and pointless and stupid.  Don't write them off for gaming either!  Don't be all like "Oh, he's big into gaming.  I don't like him."  No.  Don't do that.  Chances are he's probably a pretty great guy, but you wrote them off for gaming.  Let them game.  It's fine.  Give it a chance.  It's pretty great, no matter who you are.  You especially can't say anything about him gaming if you are big into something that he doesn 't like. 

Well that was all I wanted to say.  Sorry for the short rant, but I just felt like sharing.  Please remember this is my opinion and mine only.  If you feel differently, feel free to comment and tell me what you think, just remember this is what I think.  If you feel the same you can also feel free to comment below and tell me.  If you like the strange and odd things I have to say then keep checking back for more posts! 

I'm looking for game suggestions as well!  I've been told Minecraft by a few people.  Can anyone vouch for that?  Like is it worth getting?  Also, I've got a copy of Dead Space that I haven't played yet, so if anyone reading this has played that let me know about it.  Any other games though that you like?  I'm looking for suggestions!  If you have a game you'd like to suggest then comment below!  I'd really appreciate it!  I'm going to be doing a post on either Kingdom Hearts or Skyrim really soon so check back soon!

A Realization on the Dynamic Duo of Fred and George Weasley.

Hello everyone!  I'm back again!  It's been awhile but things have been crazy!  School is getting ready to start for me and everything is super chaotic but I'm going to be on more regularly from now on, hopefully at least new post per week!  Anyways, I digress! 

Today I would like to talk to you guys about this realization that kind of struck me yesterday.  I've been rereading the Harry Potter series for the millionth time, and I thought of something that I had never thought of before!  My realization actually is pertaining to the Weasley twins! 

Now I would just like to take the time out to tell you all that Fred and George are my favorite characters in the entire series.  I absolutely love them!  They're just so amusing, yet such deep characters with such complex personalities!  I know I got off topic again, but I just felt the need to tell everyone this because I really do love them and have since they first appeared in book one. 

What I realized, though, was that the only times that the Weasley twins are ever harmed are the times when they are apart.  Now I know that seems really crazy, but think about it!  I mean sure they have suffered minor little scuffs or scratches from things like Umbridge's detention together and the likes, but honestly, the only time something major happens to either of them, they aren't together. 

In the Battle of the Seven Potters, which both Fred and George participated in, George lost his ear.  Although Snape hadn't meant to hit George, George was still pretty grieviously injured.  Now since both Fred and George participated as a decoy Potter, they were both seperated.  Both disguised as Harry Potter through the use of Polyjuice potion they each flew with a different person.  Fred went with his father, while George went with Remus Lupin.  After being attacked by Death Eaters, George did indeed lose his ear.  This was the only time George was majorly injured.  Fred was not with him at the time of this injury. 

Then later on, also in the seventh book, was the Battle for Hogwarts.  The twins were put in charge by Kingsley Shacklebolt to take care of all the secret entrances into the castle.  Somehow, at one point in the battle, the two boys got seperated.  It isn't really known how they did, but they were split up all the same.  Fred was fighting alongside Percy, that was about the point that the terrific trio appeared, against several Death Eaters.  Although he did manage to defeat one of them, it wasn't enough.  Fred ended up dead.  When this happened, George wasn't with him.  I don't really know where George was at that point, but he wasn't with Fred.  This was the only time something major like that happened to Fred, and George wasn't present at the time. 

I don't know if this is just me overthinking everything, or a coincedence, or what.  Would it have made a difference if this dynamic duo was together at each of these moments?  I mean let's think it through.  Now if Fred and George were together during the Battle of the Seven Potters, could something have been done differently to prevent George from losing his ear?  Chances are no, but you have to really think about it.  I mean if they had been even slightly over, George would still have both of his ears.  It is possible that if they were together the whole thing could have been avoided.  Now think of it in terms of Fred's death.  What if the twins were still together at that point?  What if they hadn't gotten seperated?  I feel that if they were still together, that Fred's death could have been an avoidable occurence.  I think of it this way.  If they were still together, there would have been another person working with him and Percy against the Death Eaters they were dueling.  Not only that, but I think that Fred and George work so well together it's like two different entities that work so phenomenally well as one person.  I think that who they were fighting with wouldn't have stood a chance with both the twins, plus Percy and the others. 

I know none of this makes any difference in what happens to either of the characters, and I wouldn't try to change J.K. Rowling's stories in any way, but it was just thinking that I've been thinking about and wanted to share with all of you!  Let me know what your opinions are!  Do you agree?  Do you have a completely different idea on this whole thing?  Do you think I'm stupid and this is a dumb theory?  I don't know!  Just let me know what you think!  You tell me!  I'd love to hear your opinions and thoughts on this!  So leave me a comment and tell me what you think!

Oh yeah!  Fun fact I wanted to share really quick!  Fred and George Weasley were born on April first, April Fool's Day!  How fitting is that? :)

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Help Care for the Care Bullies!

Hello everyone!  A lot has been going on lately with something that I feel very strongly about: breed specific legislation.  By feel very strongly about it, I mean that I absolutely hate it.  I would like to talk to you about this, and about what I am doing about this, which I really need your help with!  Please read this, and if you can find it within your heart please help me!  I want to talk about what is happening with breed specific legislation and the dreadful consequences that have resulted from it.  Please read it and gain what you can from it.  The bolded section, however, is where I will be talking about the action I am taking against this, and what I need you to help me with.  I hope this opens your eyes a little more to something that is happening all around us.

For those of you that don't know, breed specific legislation is a law passed by a legislative body pertaining to a specific breed or breeds of a domesticated animal.  A BSL can range from anything from breed restrictions, which means requiring a special licensing on a breed or breeds, to flat out breed bans, which is a total elimination of a breed.  Breed specific legislation's are putting the lives of countless, harmless animals at risk. 

Breed specific legislation is missing the problem entirely though.  The problem they should be targeting is horrible owners.  Any dog can become "vicious" or "aggressive" if they are provoked, harassed, or in a bad living situation.  Just because it is a certain breed, that doesn't mean that it's going to bite someone or hurt someone.  Any dog could do that, not just because it is a certain breed.  That's like trying to say because someone is a certain race or religion they're going to try to harm you.  Will they?  Not necessarily.  Any single person could do that, not just a certain "type" of person.  Dogs shouldn't be targeted because they are a specific breed.  They need to be given a chance.  Everyone deserves there right to live no matter who or what they are, and so do animals. 

If it hasn't hit you quite yet, the breed being targeted the most by these laws are pitbulls and pit mixes.  This bothers me to no end.  Pit bulls get a bad name because of stupid people.  Pit bulls are a very popular breed in dog fighting.  Pit bulls can be vicious if provoked or raised that way.  Are all pit bulls vicious?  Not at all.  Pit bulls and pit mixes are very loyal, amazing dogs.  They can be great family dogs, great companions, great protectors, anything.  They're beautiful, incredible dogs.  Just because stupid people do stupid things and make some of the dogs like that, that doesn't mean that the whole breed are going to be dangerous. 

Breed specific legislation has already claimed the lives of several innocent pit bulls.  Lennox was the first major case to shake the world of breed specific legislation's.  Lennox was a pit bull who lived in Ireland.  Lennox was a family dog and had lived with this family for many years.  Lennox never harmed anybody.  One day the government in Belfast seized Lennox, and Lennox was scheduled to execution.  People all over the world protested and pleaded for Lennox's life to be spared, but to no avail.  Not only did they kill Lennox, but they wouldn't allow Lennox's family to see Lennox before or after she was dead.  Now Lennox lies dead.  Strike one.
Then it was Wicca's turn.  Wicca had a minor altercation with a stranger.  The stranger was not harmed.  The stranger is fine.  That didn't matter though.  It was then decided that Wicca was going to be executed.  For weeks legal challenges and protests were made, but they fell upon deaf ears.  Wicca's owner was devastated as he had to say goodbye to a dog he loved, and he was never to see her again.  Wicca now lies dead.  Strike two
Now it is Dre's turn.  As I write this, a family pet pit bull named Dre is being held in a small cage in a shelter, terrified and confused, waiting to see if he will live or die.  Dre escaped with the family's other dog on accident, a child had hit the garage door opener unbeknownst to the babysitter.  The two dogs escaped and ran scared down the neighborhood.  They barked at people, but  no one was harmed.  The police were called and caught the two animals.  Supposedly it took five police to catch the dogs, but again no one was harmed, not even so much as a scratch.  When Dre's owner got wind of what happened, she went to the shelter to claim her dogs.  The officer there told her that she could take her dog, but that Dre was being held.  Please note that while Dre is a pit bull, the other dog is not a pit bull.  They said that Dre was "aggressive" and "vicious".  No one was hurt in the slightest by this dog, who is beloved by his owner's three daughters.  Dre's owner was outraged.  She was originally told Dre was being held only for a period of time, but now they are scheduling Dre's execution.  They won't even release the dog so his family can see him.  Dre goes on trial August 10th, where the decision will be made if he will live or die.  This beloved family pet could soon being lying dead with the others.  Strike three.
I am outraged with what is happening, and what will continue to happen if nothing is done, all around the world.  I was furious with what happened to Lennox.  Then I found out about Wicca, and my anger rose.  When I heard about Dre, I became fed up.  I decided that I needed to do something.  I was sick of just sitting around knowing that everywhere around the world these innocent creatures were being sentenced to die for no good reason.  I signed the petition saying that Dre's life should be spared.  I will put a link at the bottom of this article to the petition if you would like to sign as well.  Please do.  This poor dog needs all the help he can get.  That isn't necessarily what I'm asking for your help with.  In my area there is a group called the Carolina Care Bullies.  The Carolina Care Bullies are dedicated to saving as many pit bulls and pit mixes as they possibly can.  I was introduced to this group at a Christmas parade, and then personally met them when they came to speak to the Animal Rights group at my school, which I am a part of.  They are phenomenal people with an incredible goal.  They foster as many pitbulls as they possibly can, and find great homes for these sweet creatures.  This is what I need your help with. 

I am holding a donations drive to help out the Carolina Care Bullies.  They appreciate and are thankful for all the supplies they can get to help these dogs.  I wanted to help.  I wanted to make a difference.  If that difference is even a tiny one that helps a dog or saves a dog's life, that is all I could ever ask for.  These dogs need a chance at a life that is usually denied to them by idiots with stereotypes.  I want to help them with their goal of saving every dog they can.  To do that though, they do need the supplies and the money to upkeep their program.  The following things are what they are in need of:
  • Peanut butter
  • Treats, rawhides, and bones
  • Good quality dog food
  • Large dog crates
  • Flea/tick prevention
  • Heartworm prevention
  • Staples/Office Depot gift cards for any amount
  • Wal-mart giftcards for any amount
  • #41 Color Cannon Ink Cartridges
  • Printer paper (colored and white)
  • Paper towels and other cleaning supplies
  • Monetary donations, as medical care is the greatest expense
If you can and want to help by donating any of these things, that would be so greatly appreciated!  It would mean the world, not only to me, but to countless pitbulls and pit mixes all over!  If you can and are willing to donate please let me know!  To contact me, email me at wit.beyond.measure1017@gmail.com, or comment down below. 

 I hope that this showed you how cruel breed specific legislation is.  I want you to think of your dog, or your pet of any type, and think of how you would feel if they were taken from you and killed, just because of what breed they are.  Think of how that would make you feel, what you would want to do about it.  Thank you for taking the time out to read this!  I hope you feel somewhat similar to I do, and that you want to help this cause out as well.  If you would like to sign the petition for Dre you can do so here: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/366/919/230/save-dre-a-pit-bull-in-brighton-co-who-has-never-hurt-anyone/?z00m=20375944 . 

Thank you, yet again, for reading and for supporting this!  Well, I hope you're supporting this anyways.  Wishing you all the best!

-Taylor

Friday, July 27, 2012

Hello hello!

Hello everyone!  I would like to take the time out to let you know a little more about me so you don't think I'm a complete psychopath or something.

Ultimately, with no other words for it, I am a complete nerd.  I'm so proud of that though!  I don't think there is anything wrong with being a nerd!  Actually, I think it's a great thing!  What's the point of wasting some of the best years of my life doing stupid stuff, or being so screwed up I don't remember half of it?  I think being a unique individual is such an amazing thing!  Everyone needs a sense of self!  I don't think people should try to conform to what are considered "social norms".  Be independent!  Be yourself!  Don't let anyone tell you who you are or who you're going to be!  You are an amazing person, just how you are!  So wear that t-shirt with a video game slogan on it instead of a name brand!  Listen to that band no one has heard of!  Be proud of reading, instead of listening to the people who say it's not cool!  Just be yourself!  Being a nerd is a great thing, and I love that I'm able to say I am one. 

Written word is something that, I feel, is one of the most powerful things in the world.  It can make you feel so many different emotions and think in so many different ways.  Reading and writing is one of the absolute most important in things in my life.  I have been reading anything I can get my hands on for as long as I can remember, but reading really changed for me once I read the Harry Potter series.  I was probably in second or third grade when I read the series, I don't really remember.  What I do remember is that I fell in love with it immeadiately.  Harry Potter is a huge driving factor in my life.  Reading Harry Potter really opened my eyes up to how literature can influence you and how much power it really holds.  I remember how excited I was when the seventh book came out.  I was in fifth grade then, and I read it in a bit under a week.  Since then I have read that phenomenal series hundreds of times since.  The depth of that series truly astounds me.  Every time I read it the emotions come back just as strong, and I notice some little detail or something that I missed before.  It never tires me.  I will be discussing a lot of Harry Potter related things on here.  I love so many different books and series such as The Morgansville Vampires, The Secret Circle, The Hunger Games, The Mortal Instruments, The Infernal Devices, Maximum Ride, The Inheritance Series, The Keys To The Kingdom, and so many more.  The list really just goes on and on, not to mention just individual books.  I will be taking a look at each of these series individually, along with character analysis, and the likes.  I really enjoying writing too.  Words, words, words.  Reading is one of the things that shaped my life the most. 

Something else I love would be my Xbox.  I love my Xbox.  Video games are amazing.  I really liked Left 4 Dead and all, but then my amazing coousin came out to visit.  To clarify, my cousin is so much like a big sister, and best friend to me.  I love her so much.  She made me play Black Ops with her and that's growing on me, but she also brought me Skyrim.  I absolutely love Skyrim.  It is so dang awesome.  I love it so much!  I love how open and free the whole game is.  I am also a major fan of the Resident Evil series.  Resident Evil not only is a great game, gameplay wise, but the storyline with it and the characters are absolutely phenomenal.  I love Leon Kennedy, but I really really love Steve Burnside.  Anyways to get to my point, my Xbox is my friend.  I love playing it.  I will be doing, at some point, a look at different games, the first ones I will probably do will be Skyrim and Resident Evil.  So stay tuned for those. 

Music is a really big thing with me too.  If you were to look through my Ipod it goes from one extreme to another.  I mean from Broadway to the album of screamo I have.  Recently though, I lately started listening to a lot of wrock.  For those of you who don't know, wrock is wizard rock.  It is typically Harry Potter based music.  In my opinion, Minsistry of Magic is the absolute best wrock band around.  I adore them.  Their songs such as Lily, Ascendio, Don't Leave, Forever Together, and all the rest of them are so incredible.  If you're a Harry Potter fanatic I highly reccommend listening to them.  They are phenomenal.  Of course there are more wrock bands around, Ministry of Magic is just my favorite. 

Well now that you know mostly what I will be talking about, I'm going to give you a little bit of insight into who it is that is talking.  My name is Taylor.  I'm originally from California, but I moved across the country about four or so years ago.  Like I said, my cousin is one of my best friends ever, and I definitely miss her all the time.  I'm a sophmore in high school, and an all honors student.  I'm currently tied for 1st in my class, and planning on keeping myself there.  I'm turning sixteen in October and having a Harry Potter Sweet Sixteen.  What?  I already told you I'm a nerd!  I definitely am.  People think I've lost it, especially when they hear my birthday plans, but I like being an individual.  I like being a unique person and knowing that there isn't anyone else just like me.  I will hopefully be posting a look at one of several things later.  I hope you stick around!