What is SOPA really for?

Wow...I new this bill was full of shit the second I heard of it. I mean come on, is there anything that comes from the government that isn't? I just ran across this video and thought this guy explains what they are really trying to do with SOPA very well and in a "common man" way.

(Better watch it before SOPA passes and anything of value on the internet is shut down)

Dragons, Tattoos, and Murders Oh My!

I went to see The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo the other day, and loved it! It wasn't quite what I was expecting but then I knew nothing about the storyline other than what little I got from the previews. I did however know that it is also a book...though since I don't read very much for "fun", I of course haven't read it.

Ok, so here's what I thought of the movie: SPOILER ALERT!

First things first, I LOVED the opening sequence! It totally gave me a 007 feel but better! Over all, I thought it was a great movie; the cinematography was a little strange sometimes and the jumping back and forth from him to her made it a little hard to keep up with, but all in all I thought it worked well for this movie. I thought the cast was phenomenal; I already love Danial Craig and most of the supporting cast but this girl, Rooney Mara, was amazing! And her character really spoke to me...I think that's much more how I would have turned out had my parents not been so grounded.

Now to the storyline; I did very much enjoy the story, it was very real, and as a general rule I like that in a movie. I get tired of the happily ever afters after awhile, I like to see something that makes me think 'yup, that's how it would really happen'. As I said, it was a little hard to follow from time to time but I was able to keep up. Not knowing what to expect, I liked the story of all the characters and how they all come together. I thought the story of the murders/murderers was good and, yet again, very true to life. And I loved the twist towards the end with the girl that was supposed to be murdered...though I did kinda see it coming after he met with her the first time.

I was happy with the fact that they didn't go overkill on the gore, I think some is good to get the point across but I don't need to know what every inch of your insides looks like. I was however a little surprised at the rape scene, even though I was expecting it I guess I just wasn't expecting to see it. However, as one from a...tainted past, it was very true to life for me. I liked seeing how it combines with everything else to make her who and how she is. Also, I have to say, it was all I could do to keep from jumping up and clapping when she tied that bastard up and shoved the dildo in his ass! Not to mention his new tattoo!

And the end, ah the end...it left me saying "now that's how it would really happen!"

I do have to add this little note however, in talking with one of my girl friends who reads a lot, apparently this story comes from a young adult book...GASP! Ok, maybe I'm a little old fashioned, but I have to say with the level of profanity, nudity, and general subject matter I was sad to hear that this book/movie was meant for a 20something crowd! My friend (who is 25 herself) did explain to me that that was young adult not youth, and that apparently rape, profanity, gore and all is somewhat typical of a young adult book. Gasp once again... That just makes me kinda sad, a 20ish person should know about how the real world is but they don't need it like that. The reason I like it so much is because, though I haven't had it as bad as Lizbeth, I have been around this world more than someone my age should have been and I'm a realist, so I see a lot of not only myself but my life in a movie like this.

Needless to say, this is one that I will be buying as soon as I can. 

Hurt People Hurt People

Why are we the way we are? Why is it inevitable that everyone you know will at some point hurt you, let you down, etc.?


It seems it is too common for people to misunderstand each other. I know this comes from the fact that everyone is different, but why is it that some times we go looking to misunderstand someone? Why is it that we some times go looking for a "fight"? I try not to be that kind of person, but it is inevitable that everyone will do it sooner or later, and more than once in their lifetime. I am not typically that kind of person (though of course I do it from time to time); I'm not the kind of person who thrives on drama and making things difficult for others. I do know several people that are like that, and though I love them to a point, that is a trait I cannot stand in any person.

I don't want to upset the people I love, but it happens. I don't want to snap at people for no fault of their own, but it happens. I don't want to say that mean spirited thing that I know will cut you down faster than anything, but I do. And I know it all comes from my hurt place and goes straight to yours. A vicious cycle that can only be stopped by knowledge and hard work. We must learn to understand our weak points and why we do these things when we do, and then consciously work to stop ourselves before we do them. Otherwise, we will just continue to hurt those around us, then they will in-turn hurt those around them, and so on till the whole world bleeds to death and there is no one left to hurt anyone or be hurt.

“Hurt people hurt people. We are not being judgmental by separating ourselves from such people. But we should do so with compassion. Compassion is defined as a "keen awareness of the suffering of another coupled with a desire to see it relieved." People hurt others as a result of their own inner strife and pain. Avoid the reactive response of believing they are bad; they already think so and are acting that way. They aren't bad; they are damaged and they deserve compassion. Note that compassion is an internal process, an understanding of the painful and troubled road trod by another. It is not trying to change or fix that person.” 

― Will Bowen, Complaint Free Relationships: Transforming Your Life One Relationship at a Time

I don't like people as a general rule, most are just not worth my time and those that are will still get in the way at some point or another. This is why I don't like to get into a committed relationship; I know myself and I know human nature, and it all just creates drama and pain. So for me, I like to keep those types of relations at a comfortable distance. I don't need to know everything about him and he doesn't need to know everything about me. We don't need to spend every waking moment together but some time every once in a while is nice. And I most definitely don't want to have to explain myself to him regarding anything, much less everything.


I had a conversation with Lee today, it started out fine as I was telling him about planning to take my niece and nephew to see the Lipizzaner Stallions when they come stay with us for a week next month. I invited him to go with us because he loves horses (we have been wanting to go horseback riding ever since we met). Well, he just starts picking at things; "they're beautiful so they're expensive", actually they only request a $5 donation; "they just look like horses to me", of course they do, because that's what they are. You get the point. I hate it when people do that, if you don't want to go just fucking say so! Anyway, so I told him that. Surprise, he didn't like it.

This is just an example of what I'm talking about, it's inevitable when you're around other people. Why would I want this in my life?! I DON'T!

But even with that being said, I'm not going to stop seeing Lee, or any of my other guys, or my friends or family. As much as I may want to at times, I am still human and I do need at least some interaction with other people...I just want to keep it as drama and bullshit free as possible.

Believe it or not I do want to be a good person; I want to be the best me I can be and I don't want to hurt others or make them less than the best them they can be. But at the same time, I have to actively guard myself against being too distant with my tendency to not get very close. I am that person who constantly has that wall up, and very few people ever get in; only those who I decide I can not only forgive when they hurt me but truly let the hurt go. I know I do this to avoid getting hurt, and people tell me that its not a good thing to live like that, but I can't help but wonder...is it really that bad? Am I really hurting myself by protecting myself from getting hurt by others? 

Salvador Dali

So Lee and I went to the Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersburg yesterday...it was very interesting. I had of course seen some of his work before and found the style to be interesting if nothing else, but obviously the man had talent regardless of whether you like his style or not.


We got there a little late so we only had about 2 hours to look around before they closed. We did get there in time for the last docent tour of the day (an hour long tour) so we decided to do it. The lady conducting the tour was very nice and pretty funny, and not to be mean, but I think maybe just a little too old to still be doing it; she seemed to have some memory problems from time to time. It was very interesting learning about the man and his ideas and meanings behind his art. However, the more I learned about all that the less and less I like both. I have to say, I think I would have enjoyed the museum more had I not known all the things the docent told us. 


Now let me just say once again, I do still think the man had great talent as an artist. However, I think a lot of his work is just straight up too busy; meaning I think (now knowing what all the different things in his art meant) that he had too many ideas and concepts that don't flow well together in one painting. When I look at art, I want to see somewhat of a coherent thought in it. Not that there can't be a lot of pieces to it, I just want to stay on the same train of thought through the piece as a whole. I think had I been able to look at his art and interpret it as I saw it, not as he meant it, I would have like it much better. Because not only is his work too busy, what with combining all his thoughts, interests and passions into one piece of art, I also do not agree with most of his ideals which is what his art represents. Of course I think he is entitled to think and believe anything he wants, I just found his art less appealing knowing what he meant it to be.


Anyway, I am glad that I went, and that I did the docent tour. I just wasn't as happy with it as I was hopping I'd be. But on the other hand, Lee liked it very much and enjoyed the tour and learning the details about the art. Needless to say we tend to have quite different tastes when it comes to this kind of art. 


Next up on our list to do is The Museum of Fine Arts' Ancient Egypt exhibit. Having a life-long love affair with Ancient Egypt this is something that I truly cannot wait to see!  

A Monster Of A Week

Well, the first week of 2012 is over... Needless to say it will not go down as a stellar week for me. Though it did get better as the week went on, I'm still fighting this moody feeling. 


I've been keeping myself busy this week with working on getting a great picture for a contest I'm entering and also making some one-of-a-kind (OOAK) Monster High dolls; I'll post pics when they're done. For some reason that's all I can think about lately, but I'm excited about it because I have several more ideas for custom dolls that I can't wait to make! Its kind of annoying though because for the past several days my mind has been going non-stop thinking about all the things I want to do. Isn't it funny how we can get obsessed with different things at different times; one week it might be all I want to think about is Monster High, then the next week all I can think about is Twilight, or painting, or writing...you get the idea. 


This afternoon I will have the house to myself, so I think I'll play some XBox and just chill for a few hours. See if I can't calm my mind a bit.


I am looking forward to this coming week; I will finally be going up to see Lee's new place and spend a few days with him. I think we're planning on going to the new Dali Museum in St. Petersburg! I love art!